Orchard plant breeding, genetics, and biotechnology research at the Institute of Horticulture, LRCAF (original) (raw)

IH, LRCAF), is a scientific research institution engaged in horticultural plant collection, evaluation, breeding and research. This review presents achievements in breeding and research on temperate fruit species at the Institute. As horticulture in Northern Europe presents specific challenges, a history of horticultural science in Lithuania that laid the foundation for establishment of the Institute and directions for breeding and research activities has been overviewed. Horticultural plant breeding has been the major activity at the Institute, focused on black currant (Ribes nigrum), gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa), strawberry (Fragaria annanassa; Fragaria vesca), tree fruits (Malus domestica; Pyrus communis), sweet cherry (Prunus avium), sour cherry (Prunus cerasus), plum (Prunus domestica), and other crops. From these efforts, the IH, LRCAF has developed over 90 new improved cultivars. Scientists have focused on improving cold hardiness, resistance to diseases and pests, and yield as well as shipping and shelf life qualities in tree fruits. Research is also concentrated on fruit quality, plant development and biotechnology applications aimed at ensuring high quality of reproductive material for fruit plant production practices. The preservation of genetic resources is also a primary goal at the Institute. At the present time the collection of temperate fruit species includes over 1 800 advanced accessions.