ARS researchers have determined that the two enzymes play a key role in turning on and off central biochemical activities. Their aim is to manipulate the enzymes sucrose phosphate synthase and nitrate reductase to override nature's obsession with temperature. Pearl River, Magnolia, and Jubilee are new varieties and more suited to the warmer climates in the Gulf Coast and Southeastern United States. They should be interplanted with other southern highbush blueberry varieties to ensure fruit set, early ripening and maximum yield. Each of the four new varieties is productive and disease resistant.
Plants are available in season at nurseries.
Two new June-bearing strawberries have been introduced by ARS plant breeders for the Middle Atlantic and adjacent regions. Primetime, a mid-season berry, bears fancy, good quality, large fruit. Latestar, a late-season variety, has large, attractive fruit. Both varieties are recommended for shipping and local markets and resist multiple fungal diseases. They produce well on either light or heavy soils, and in matted rows or in hill culture.