Ross Ferguson - Plant breeding
Room 2, Sunday 8:30am
A HortResearch scientist from Auckland and a Kiwifruit breeding expert, Ross’s work shows that hard science in the lab produces better results in the orchard. The complicated business of gene mapping has allowed better inter breeding success to produce selected fruit that target new market areas.
Ross outlined the narrow gene base of the industry based on three plants imported in 1904, and developments from the 1930 work of Hayward Wright, Intellectual property protection measures, grower licensing for new varieties, the ERMA extremism brick wall, the handicap of working with what we have got, faster ploidy characterisation and evaluation, diocy, and methods of introducing desirable characteristics into this barely domesticated wild plant.
Huge new northern hemisphere plantings should maintain a demand for out-of-season supplies, which was optimistic news for those looking to join the industry.
Ross's presentation was a hugely appreciated and fascinating insight into gene selection methodology, and a look behind the doors of corporate kiwifuit.