Technical and Socioeconomic Challenges to Setting and Implementing Priorities in North American Rosaceous Fruit Breeding Programs

Abstract

<jats:p>Rosaceous crops (e.g., almond, apple, apricot, caneberry, cherry, pear, peach, plum, rose, and strawberry) contribute to human health and well-being and collectively constitute the economic backbone of numerous North American rural communities. We conducted a survey of U.S. and Canadian rosaceous fruit crop breeders to assess priority setting in their programs, sources of information for setting priorities, and challenges in making technical and management decisions. Input from producers and consumers was most important in establishing breeding program targets, although respondents’ direct interaction with consumers was not frequent. Breeding targets and management decisions were mostly associated with the breeder’s type of organization, scope and range of crops, and intended use of the crop (fresh, processed, or both).</jats:p>

Investigating the Practices and Challenges for Turfgrass Breeders and Distributors

“…Overall, we found that turfgrass seed breeders rated the producers/growers and consumers as more important parties compared with other interested parties. This finding, similar to the results of a previous study of rosaceous fruit breeding programs (Yue et al, 2012), suggests that breeders are aware that the turfgrass industry is a market-driven industry and that they recognize consumers' needs and acceptance as the most important indicators for market success. Furthermore, breeders care about the benefits of the producers/growers; therefore, their breeding efforts should aim to provide producers/ growers with more profits.…”

“…In general, resource availabilities were rated as the most challenging when determining the program priorities; costs, followed by resource allocation and resource availability, were rated as the most challenging factors when breeders were implementing priorities. Although turfgrass breeders encounter a variety of challenges different from those of breeding programs for rosaceous crops (Yue et al, 2012), resource-related challenges were still among the most influential factors when making decisions about selecting traits. Breeding programs with larger sizes were less concerned with the technical challenges (such as identifying new sources of genes, documentation of existing germplasms, and evaluating new sources of germplasms) and societal challenges (for example, finding niche market potential); however, resourcerelated challenges were considered more important.…”

“…Previously, various turfgrass species have been assessed for pest and disease resistance (Bonos et al, 2006;Cisar, 2010;Watkins et al, 2014), climatic region adaptation (Mintenko et al, 2002), drought tolerance, and reduced nitrogen requirements (Bonos and Huff, 2013;Johnson, 2008;Watkins et al, 2014). A previous study (Yue et al, 2012) investigated priorities for North American rosaceous crop breeding programs and found that breeders regarded the two ends of the supply chain (producer/ growers and the consumers) as the most important parties when setting trait priorities. Turfgrass breeding, like other product development activities, determines the inherent physical characteristics of the turfgrass variety and creates value for stakeholders in the supply chain (Solomon and Stuart, 2003).…”

Use of descriptive analysis and preference mapping for early‐stage assessment of new and established apples

“…DA scores are often correlated with compositional, analytical or instrumental determinations to provide insight into the aroma/flavor compounds or textural measurements which account for the perceived sensory attributes. Ultimately this information must be combined with consumer acceptability in order to identify and breed for traits that are most important to consumers . While product developers can manipulate food formulations to achieve the ‘ideal’ characteristics, the fruit breeder must rely on breeding and selection of fruit with the most appropriate set of characteristics available from genetic segregation …”

“…Ultimately this information must be combined with consumer acceptability in order to identify and breed for traits that are most important to consumers. 4,5 While product developers can manipulate food formulations to achieve the 'ideal' characteristics, the fruit breeder must rely on breeding and selection of fruit with the most appropriate set of characteristics available from genetic segregation. 6 Since fruit is only available in limited quantities in the early stages of apple selection, it is necessary to estimate consumer acceptance using a small in-house panel.…”