What was it all about?

This project progressed identification of new table grape varieties with the potential to improve growers’ profitability and productivity, amid the challenge of highly variable climate, limited water supply and growing international competition.

Researchers sought selections that would tolerate heat stress, were not prone to berry collapse, were fruitful with good budburst, and had early or late ripening traits to extend seasonal availability.

Conducted over two seasons, the project completed the initial evaluation of CSIRO breeding lines that were generated in previous projects in the Murray Valley and identified selections with potential for further development by research collaborators and industry.

It also continued the evaluation of irradiated Red Globe mutants in the Murray Valley and a small number of selections planted at regional sites in Queensland and Western Australia.

Overall, the project identified 45 seedling genotypes (36 white and nine dark) for propagation and establishment as own rooted vines in multiplied plots. A further 17 multiplied selections (15 white and two red genotypes) were identified and propagated for evaluation as grafted plants on Ramsey and 1103 Paulsen rootstock.

High priority selections were propagated as grafted vines on Ramsey and Freedom rootstocks in the Northern Territory in spring 2015.

Evaluation work was continued by additional work in the Hort Innovation Table Grape Fund.