There is berry Promising news is coming from Europe regarding our favorite berry. Researchers are finding ways to grow more resilient strawberries, raspberries and blueberries that thrive in rapidly changing climates.
In recent years, berry crops have suffered from rising temperatures and extreme weather events, which have had a devastating impact on crop yields.
Strawberries are a $400 million industry in Florida, but increasingly powerful hurricanes are damaging the crop. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, Florida's agriculture sector suffered $1 billion in damage in 2022 from Hurricane Ian alone.
Meanwhile, rising temperatures are causing headaches for Maine's blueberry farmers. Dr Aleksandr Kobar, a researcher at the Grantham Institute, said a high fever can also cause you to “burn”. [raspberries] “On the Vine” in western North America.
Berry farmers in Europe are facing similar problems, so the European Union has funded the BreedingValue project to increase genetic diversity and grow berries that survive better.
“The aim is to identify the best genetic sources, especially with regard to disease resistance, water resistance, resilience, adaptability, sugar content and aroma,” Professor Bruno Mezzetti said in the Phys.org report. Mr. Mezzetti is project he coordinator at Italy's Marche Polytechnic University and is an expert in fruit crop breeding and biotechnology.
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Researchers study wild species and cultivated plants to identify the specific traits they need and create new varieties, cultivated plants that retain the specific traits when bred.
“We can find resilient and sensory traits in old varieties and closely related wild crops,” said Dr. Tuli Heikkonen, a researcher involved in the project. “In some ways, this is a love story.'' It is hoped that this love story will lead to “superberry'' varieties that can withstand changing climates while retaining or improving flavor and aroma.
Another EU-funded project is developing a new way to dry berries without adding salt or sugar to create healthy berry snacks. The FRIETS project aims to extend the shelf life of strawberries, raspberries and blackberries and dramatically reduce food waste due to spoilage.
The goal is to create a soft fruit snack without compromising the nutritional or therapeutic value of the berries. Researchers also hope to process the berries to meet people's specific needs.
Professor Magdalini Krokida from the Department of Chemical Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens, a partner at FRIETS, said: “If a group of people has type 2 diabetes, we can create products with less sugar and more protein. It can be added.”
“Berry is like a superfood,” Krokida added. “The new techniques, processes and technologies we have will open up even more possibilities for growing berries in Europe.”
European consumers can expect the first FRIETS products to be sold through Rezos Brands in late 2024, according to a report from Phys.org.
The BreedingValue project addresses a problem many of us face at the grocery store. Food prices are rising as crop production plummets, and it's not just berries.
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Peach prices are rising as scorching weather in Georgia reduced production by 90% in 2023, while record dryness in Spain and rainfall in California boosted olive oil prices. .
Creating heat-resistant plants allows farmers to adapt to rapidly changing conditions and prevent large production declines and price increases. But you don't need to be an expert in breeding fruit crops to make checkout lines less painful. Growing your own food is a great way to save money at the grocery store.
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