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WineEastNews $4.5 Million for Grape Research G eneva, N.Y.— Cornell University researchers from the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station at Geneva were awarded grants totaling $4.5 million for two projects to improve grape va- rieties and make new varieties commercially successful. Cornell announced that $2 mil- lion went to Dr. Bruce Reisch, grape breeder and professor in the Department of Horticul- ture; Dr. Timothy Martinson, senior extension associate in the Department of Horticulture, received a second grant for $2.5 million. The project led by Reisch involves work- ing with 24 researchers at six publicly funded U.S. grape-breeding programs in support of breeders who want to develop wine, table and raisin grapes as well as rootstocks by linking DNA markers to specific traits including disease resistance, cold hardiness or undesirable aromas. Dis- Dr. Bruce Reisch will work to identify DNA markers for cold hardiness in winegrapes. covery of new markers will make breeding for complex traits more efficient and allow breeders to develop new varieties that will satisfy consumers and growers interested in organic or sustainable production. An- Cornell scientists awarded federal grants to develop and commercialize Northern grape varieties H&W_Dec10.qxp 10/12/10 10:59 AM Page 1 other goal will be to offer breeders trait- screening services to detect the presence of different traits and identify the most promising selections. The Martinson project will determine how to commercialize new varieties successfully once they have left the breeder's vineyard. Martinson calls this a "northern grapes proj- ect" because his team primarily will work with Minnesota and Swenson varieties. The goal is to provide producers with research- based tools and practices to help them grow and vinify these varieties and sell quality wines to local and regional markets. The project will work with 13 institutions and 20 cooperative grower organizations in 14 northern states from Nebraska and the Dakotas to New England. winesandvines.com Learn more: Search keywords "Martinson project." —Hudson Cattell Mention this code: BGW11VE to receive 10% OFF entire order! 58 Wines & Vines DeCeMBeR 2011