Horticultural Performance of Eight American Elderberry Genotypes at Three Missouri Locations

Abstract

American elderberry (Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis) is being increasingly cultivated in North America for its edible and medicinal fruit and flowers, yet remains largely undeveloped as a horticultural crop. Productive genotypes with desirable horticultural attributes, including disease and insect resistance, precocity, uniform fruit ripening, and large berry size are needed in order to advance the commercial production of elderberries. A four-year study of eight elderberry genotypes was established in 2008 at three diverse Missouri (USA) locations. Phenology, plant morphology, pest susceptibility, productivity, and fruit characteristics data were collected over three growing seasons, 2009–2011. Significant differences for most phenological, horticultural, and fruit juice characteristics were observed among the three sites, three years, and eight genotypes. The genotype ‘Ozark’ was the earliest to break bud, produced fruit with high levels of soluble solids, and out-yielded most other genotypes at the three sites over the three-year study. None of the new genotypes produced berries as large as or larger than the standard ‘York’ which is known for its large fruit. Some of the genotypes tested, especially ‘Ozark’ show promise as potential cultivars and as breeding stock for further development of elderberry as a commercially-viable horticultural crop.

'Marge': A European Elderberry for North American Producers

“…The European elderberry genotype ‘Marge’ was evaluated within a large, multi-location study that included eight American elderberry genotypes (Thomas et al, 2015a); ‘Marge’ was the only European genotype evaluated. The study was conducted at three sites in Missouri, USA: University of Missouri’s Southwest Research Center near Mt.…”

“…Vernon and Mountain Grove were relatively similar silt loams with fragipans at 45–90 cm; whereas, the soil at Jefferson City was a deeper, more alluvial silt loam with no fragipan. The Jefferson City site might have been considered better for elderberry production based on soil type; however, soil test results from that site indicated a superficially poorer soil with low organic matter and low cation exchange capacity (Thomas et al, 2015a). The plantings were established at each of the three sites in July 2008 by rooting cuttings from our own mother plants.…”

“…The plantings were established at each of the three sites in July 2008 by rooting cuttings from our own mother plants. Additional orchard and experimental details, including sites, soils, environmental conditions, genotypes used, field layout, orchard management, and experimental design are provided in Thomas et al (2015a). Within the larger genotype evaluation of American elderberry described therein, four additional plots of ‘Marge’ were randomly interspersed among the plots at all three sites.…”

“…Propagules were provided to the University of Missouri and Missouri State University for evaluation in 2006. ‘Marge’ immediately showed outstanding vigor, pest resistance, and was noted for its very large berries; promising enough to be included in a multi-location genotype evaluation that was established in Missouri in 2008 (Thomas et al, 2015a). …”

Effects of Elderberry Juice From Different Genotypes on Oxidative and Inflammatory Responses in Microglial Cells

“…Vernon (MO, USA) in 2011. Fruit production details are described in Thomas et al (2015). Berries were immediately frozen upon harvest, and later were thawed, de-stemmed, French-pressed, and the juices centrifuged, filtered, lyophilized, and dissolved in DMSO.…”