Dr. Chin-Feng Hwang, associate professor in the William H. Darr School of Agriculture, received a $4,000 grant to continue his work on the Cornell University-based Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) project entitled “Accelerating Grape Cultivar Improvement via Phenotyping Centers and Next Generation Makers” by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The collaborative effort will lay a solid foundation for breeding of the Norton grape, the official grape of the state of Missouri. It will also accelerate the testing and release of new hybrids of the Norton grape and Vitis vinifera, the European grape used for most wine making worldwide, with enhanced pathogen resistance and improved fruit quality. Hwang is conducting the project in partnership with Dr. Bruce Reisch from Cornell University and in collaboration with 10 other universities. The funding will support the program through August 2013.

For more information, contact Hwang at (417) 547-7538.

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About the Darr School of Agriculture
The William H. Darr School of Agriculture integrates excellence in teaching, service and research into each of the nine undergraduate and three graduate programs. Within the school, there are four units: general agriculture; agribusiness, agricultural education and communications; animal science; and environmental plant science and natural resources. Each program has unique research facilities that allow for hands-on research.

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Filed Under: agriculture · Chin-Feng Hwang · grant · research