Center for Viticulture and Small Fruit Research FAMU Viticulture Annual Repor… · STUDENT TRAINING Student training is an integral component of the Center’s programs. Students

Center for Viticulture andSmall Fruit Research

A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 4 – 2 0 1 5

FLORIDA VITICULTURE ADVISORY COUNCIL

Jeanne Burgess ( Chairperson) Florida Agriculture Advisory Council

C. Gary Cox Wineries

J.R. Newbold III Florida Grape Growers Association

Todd Gentry Nurseries

Vince Shook Processing

Lance Osborne, Ph.D. University of Florida

Violeta Tsolova, Ph.D. Florida A&M University

Contents02 About the Center

03 Goals

04 Program Areas

06 NCPN Center for Grape

08 Research Productivity

10 Student Research and Development

11 Facilities and Human Capacity Development

Center for Viticulture and Small Fruit Research

College of Agriculture and Food Sciences

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

6505 Mahan DriveTallahassee, FL 32317T 850.412.5996F 850.561.2617

www.famu.edu/Viticulture

IMPLEMENTING ANNUAL AND LONG-RANGE PLANS AND PRIORITIES FOR THE CENTER THAT ADDRESSED THE EXPRESSED NEEDS OF STAKEHOLDERS OR CLIENTELE GROUPS:

The Center’s mission is to conduct basic and applied

research and provide service that will promote the

development of a viable viticulture industry in Florida

(Florida Viticulture Policy Act 1978, Florida Statute

599.003c).

The Center for Viticulture and Small

Fruits Research (CVSFR) in the College

of Agriculture and Food Sciences at

Florida Agriculture and Mechanical

University was established by the Florida

Legislature in 1978 to build a long term

program focused on the development of

improved grapes via traditional breeding,

biotechnology and in-vitro selection.

The University provides research and

technical support to enhance grape

products, demonstrate health benefits,

protect vineyards from pest and disease,

and address other issues of importance

to the successful expansion of the

grape growing industry” (Florida State

Viticulture Plan, 2006).

Building a long term program focused

on the development of improved grapes via

traditional breeding, biotechnology, and

in-vitro selection.

About the Center

Center for Viticulture and Small Fruit Research 2

Develop new and improved grape cultivars and selected small fruit for fresh fruit and processing in Florida.

Improve the disease resistance of Florida grapes through classical breeding and biotechnology.

Promote the marketability of Florida grapes and value-added products through research and extension.

Goals

1

Develop best management practices for Florida grapes and selected small fruit.

Promote a strong graduate and undergraduate student experiential-learning program that will encourage and attract outstanding scholars.

Develop a strong working relationship with Florida growers and private industries through extension and outreach activities.

2 3

4 5 6

The faculty members at the Center for Viticulture and Small Fruit Research strived to implement the mission, goals and objectives of the Center.

Annual Report 2014–20153

STUDENT TRAINING

Student training is an integral component of the Center’s programs. Students at the graduate and undergraduate level work and do research under the supervision of a major professor (program leader) or supervisor. The Center provides hands-on experience and serves as a training platform for a number of undergraduate courses: AGG2050 Introduction Biotechnology, AGG 2050L Intro-duction Biotechnology Lab; AGG 4420 Global Seminar: Biotechnology, Food Safety and International Trade Reg-ulatory Policy and all of the CAFS summer recruitment programs: RATLR, AG Discovery, FACE and etc.

GRAPE GENETICS AND BREEDING

The development of new and improved grape cultivars is critical for the continuous growth of Florida’s grape and wine industry. The unit conducts research using both classical breeding and biotech approach to develop new cultivars. The Center maintains the largest collection of muscadine and bunch grape (Florida hybrids) germplasm to support its breeding program.

Zhongbo Ren – Program Leader Xia Xu, Ph.D. – Research Associate Nicholas Jeminez – Field Assistant

BIOTECHNOLOGY

The unit conducts biochemical and molecular research to identify genetic markers that will help in the development of disease tolerant bunch grapes for Florida growers. Research-ers are working on isolating and characterizing the transcripts of proteins from xylem and leaves, and genetic markers relating to disease tolerance, water-stress, ripening, and nutraceutical characteristics of muscadine and Florida Bunch grape.

Mehboob Sheikh, Ph.D. – Program Leader Devaiah Kambiranda, Ph.D. – Research Associate Karthikeyan Alagarsamy, Ph.D. – Research Associate Anse Kaplan – Lab Technician

VITICULTURE AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

The unit conducts research in grape developmental biol-ogy/in vitro cultivation and provides service in the area of best vineyard management and production practices for warm climate grapes. The research focuses on evaluating the health benefits of American native grapes and the im-pact of trellis systems and management practices such as pruning, spacing, and rootstock performance on yield and fruit quality of muscadine and Florida hybrid grapes.

Violeta Tsolova, Ph.D. – Program LeaderVasil Georgiev, Ph.D. – Research Associate James Obuya, Ph.D. – Research AssociateRay Payne – Field AssistantJesus Jeminez – Field Assistant

VINIFICATION AND BIOPROCESSING

The unit conducts research tailored to match the industry’s high demand for new knowledge and expertise on the vini-fication and healthy characteristics of southern wines, and provide training and an experiential-learning experience for students and industry clientele in the area of grape and small fruit enological characteristics, and vinification qualities.

Anthony Ananga, Ph.D. – Program LeaderMatteo Voltarelli – Vintner/Cellar Master

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE IPM PROGRAM

The unit focuses on research and introduction variety tri-als of fruit and vegetable crops for commercial and home garden use. The program evaluates cultivar adaptability and production practices including IPM under North Florida environmental conditions. Some of the crops in the program are blueberries, nectarines, peaches, plums, apples, pears, oriental persimmons, Chinese chestnuts, citrus, figs, and seasonal vegetables.

Bobby R. Phills, Ph.D. – Program Leader Gohar Umar – Research Associate Jose Jeminez – Field Assistant

Program Areas


VINEYARD AND SMALL FRUIT FIELD MANAGEMENT

The management unit is responsible for the physical upkeep of all field research and extension/outreach activities. The group is headed by a farm manager and provides technical assistance and support to scientists and students in the establishment and maintenance of the experimental plots.

David Smithwick – Farm Manager Micheal Garrett – Senior Agricultural Assistant

EXTENSION AND OUTREACH

A major component of the Center’s activities is its exten-sion and outreach program. The faculty and staff work closely with the state viticulture and horticulture industry and assist growers by providing new relevant scientific information and hands-on training. The Center conducts onsite visits, workshops on pruning, vineyard establish-ment, and management practices year around.


Pierce’s disease is the main limitation for the majority of the Southeastern U.S. and commercial grape growing is solely based on the native muscadines and Florida hybrid bunch grapes. The rapid expansion of the wine industry in Florida and southeastern U.S. already predisposes the viticulture enterprise to several disease problems such as Eutypa dieback, crown gall, and leafroll virus. Due to the detrimental impact of these diseases, we have identified them as the high priority diseases for research and development in the state and region. Teaching, research, and extension in this area will keep the viticulture industry viable by minimizing occurrence of the disease.

The Southeastern Vine Improvement and Distribution Program is poised to provide services to the Southeastern ( Pierce’s Disease (PD’s ) restricted) Viticulture region by:

• Producing high quality disease-free muscadine and Florida hybrid grape varieties• Conducting research and developing rapid methods for

diagnostics of muscadine and PD tolerant American native grape varieties for crown gall, viruses, and Eutypa • Sustaining the foundation block G1/G2• Establishing a diagnostic facility for American native grapes• Assisting the extension and certification program

Consequently, these activities will help the local grape and wine industry grow and sustain as well as contribute to the national standards for clean planting material of the muscadine and Florida native hybrid varieties.

National Clean Plant Network

(NCPN) Center for Grape

FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY

RESEARCH TEAM

Violeta Tsolova, Ph.D. – Program Leader Anthony Ananga, Ph.D. –Associate Professor of Food BiotechnologyBobby Phills, Ph.D. – Professor of Horticulture Stephen Leong, Ph.D. – Professor of Agricultural Economy Ray Payne – Field AssistantJesus Jeminez – Field Assistant


1. Released a new U.S. Patent: 9,051,38, Issue date June 9, 2015 by Mehboob Sheikh, Devaiah Kambiranda, and Hemanth Vasanthaiah: “Disease-related biomarkers specific to Florida hybrid bunch and muscadine grapes, and uses thereof.”

2. Executed the first license agreement for “Majesty” muscadine grape variety with the Florida nursery.

3. Two additional licensing requests and agreements for “Majesty” muscadine variety have been completed with the office of the vice president for Research and University General Counsel Office.

4. To speed up the evaluation of our advanced selections and in cooperation with industry partners (FGGA members and our stakeholders in neighboring states), a fast 2-year evaluation trial has been deployed to deliver novel, disease-resistant varieties with desired wine aroma and flavor characteristics, seedlessness, and attractive large berry appearance.

5. Eleven advanced breeding lines, including two seedless bunch grape hybrids, three seedless and three seeded muscadine for fresh consumption, and two bunch and one muscadine for wine-making are under aggressive testing in the University’s experimental vineyard and commercial vineyards in Florida. Ultimately, this work will build a breeding and evaluation pipeline that is expected to result in quick cultivar release and increased profit for Florida grape growers.

6. Nursery request for five new variety and breeding lines to undergo disease elimination and to be included in the “Clean Vine Foundation Block” was received and are under processing.

7. A rapid highly specific early monitoring program for Eutypa dieback in muscadine grapes using molecular diagnostics has been developed.

8. The new wine analytical lab has been set up and is ready to serve the vinification and bio-processing research activities and the industry with basic analyses aligned to the OIV standards.

9. Two additional field labs are under development in the Modular Unit: Postharvest Evaluation and Plant Pathology.

10. Microscopy Core Facility was set up and final evaluation of the Center’s scanning electron microscope began before the 2015 school year.

11. New area of research related to grape allergenicity and food safety was lunched and is already used as a training ground for student experiential-learning.

12. New gene transcripts “Gen Bank Submissions:”

Ajay B.C., Anthony Ananga. 2015. BankIt1823365 Seq2 KR778986 accession number.



Lilian Oglesby, Anthony Ananga, Violeta Tsolova. 2014.Vitis rotundifolia Myb transcription factor (MybA1) mRNA, partial cds. GenBank:KJ513437.1 accession number.

Lilian Oglesby, Anthony Ananga, Violeta Tsolova. 2014.Vitis rotundifolia Myb transcription factor (MYBCS1) mRNA, partial cds. GenBank: KJ513438.1accession number.

Research and Innovation


For various reasons, including extended medical leave, early departure, and position relocation, the Center only had two senior faculty personnel during the reported period. We were able to sustain the overall high level of grantsmanship by assisting new principal investigators with proposal writing and submission.

Grants Submitted: 21 Grants Grants Funded: Funded: 8

• 2014 USDA/FAS/Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology

Fellows Program- 1 submitted and1 granted.

• 2014 USDA/Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP)- 1 submitted

• 2015 USDA/NIFA/ Capacity Building Grant Program: 6 proposals submitted;

• 2015 FDACS/ VAC: 5 submitted, 3 approved;

• 2015 FDACS/ Specialty Crop Grant Program: submitted 6 pre-proposals, 3 approved for full proposal submission, 2 granted

• USDA/NIFA/Evans Allen Research Project Program - Viticulture and Small Fruit Research:

• Empowering Florida Agriculture and Training Technological Ready Professionals-1 proposal submitted and approved.

• 2015 USDA/APHIS/ NCPN Cooperative Agreement Program - 1 proposal submitted and approved.

Publication Submitted: 8Publications submitted with undergraduate researchers as the first author: 2

Jasmine Hall, Anthony Ananga, Vasil Georgiev, Joel Ochieng, Ernst Cebert, and Violeta Tsolova (2015). Molecular Cloning, Characterization, and Expression Analysis of Flavanone 3-Hydroxylase (F3H) Gene during Muscadine Grape Berry Development. J Biotechnol Biomater 5: 180. doi:10.4172/2155-952X.1000180.

Phillip Corbiere, Anthony Ananga, Joel W. Ochieng, Ernst Cebert, and Violeta Tsolova (2015). Gene Expression and Molecular Architecture Reveals UDP-Glucose: Flavonoid-3O-Glucosyltransferase UFGT as a Controller of Anthocyanin Production in Grapes. J J Biotech Bioeng. 1(2): 012.

Vasil Giorgiev, Anthony Ananga, and Violeta Tsolova (2014). Recent advances and uses of grape flavonoids as nutraceuticals. Nutrients 6(1), 391-415.

Devaiah Kambiranda, Ramesh Katam, Sheikh M. Basha, and Shalom Seibert (2014). iTRAQ Based Quantitative Proteomics of Developing and Ripening Muscadine Grape Berry. Journal of Proteome Research: DOI 10.1021/pr400731p.

Devaiah Kambiranda, and Sheikh M. Basha (2015). Proteome analysis of Muscadine grape during ripening, Data are available via ProteomeXchange with Pride database identifier PXD001959.

Enhancing and Promoting

Research Productivity GRANTSMANSHIP, PUBLICATION, AND PARTICIPATION IN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS


Devaiah Kambiranda, Sheikh M. Basha, R. Singh, K. Calvin, and R. Mercer (2015). In-Depth Proteome Analysis of Muscadine Grape Berry cv. Carlos During Ripening Reveals Proteins Involved in Synthesis of Flavor and Aroma Compounds. (Submitted to Journal of Proteome Research).

Ramesh Katam, Kundai Chibanguza, Sheikh M. Basha, and Lekan M. Latinwo (2015). Analysis of Xylem Proteins Differentially Expressed in Vitis Species and Their Possible Role in Pierce’s Disease Tolerance. (Submitted to Journal of Proteomics and Bioinformatics).

Vasil Georgiev, Anthony Ananga, and Violeta Tsolova (2015). Molecular Breeding of Synchronized Grape Cell Suspensions for Flavonoid Overexpression. Acta Horticulturae, 1082: 245-253.

Vasil Georgiev, Anthony Ananga, and Violeta Tsolova (2015). Dietary supplements/nutraceuticals made from grapes and wines. In: M. Victoria Moreno-Arribas and Begoña Bartolomé Eds. “Wine: Safety, Consumer Preferences and Impact on Human Health,” Springer Science+Business Media LLC., New York, in press.

Professional presentations submitted: 9; Professional presentations submitted with student researchers as the first author: 3

Vasil Georgiev, Anthony Ananga, and Violeta Tsolova. Molecular Breeding of Synchronized Grape Cell Suspensions for Flavonoid Overexpression. XI International Conference on Grapevine Breeding and Genetics, Beijing, China, July 29 - August 2, 2014

Devaiah Kambiranda and Sheikh M. Basha (2015). Improving Enological, Disease and Nutraceutical Characteristics of Muscadine Grape Applying Cutting Edge Technologies, CAFS Research Forum, Tallahassee, FL

Sheikh M. Basha and Devaiah Kambiranda (2015). Shotgun Proteome Analysis for Insight into Secondary Metabolite Production in Muscadine Grape. Plant and Animal Genome conference, San Diego, CA

Josie Toliver and Sheikh M. Basha (2014). Variation in xylem sap stilbene content among Vitis sp. Wine and Cheese community fair. Black Archives Museum, FAMU

Denae Cheatham (2014). Nutritional composition of Muscadine grape products. RATLR program seminar, CAFS. FAMU

M. Haseeb, T. Gordon, G. Umar, and Bobby Phills (2014). Vegetables Pest Management Strategies in North Florida. Talk presented at the 111th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Horticultural Sciences held in Orlando, Florida (July 28-31, 2014)

Gohar Umar, Bobby Phills, and M. Haseeb. Training and Demonstration of Best Management Practices in Vegetables and Fruits on Small Farms in North Florida. Poster presented at the 111th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Horticultural Sciences held in Orlando, Florida (July 28-31, 2014)

Sheikh M. Basha, Devaiah Kambiranda, and Rajya Lakshmi (2014). Stilbene Profiling of Muscadine Grape Genotypes. Plant and Animal Genome Conference, San Diego, CA

M. Vasilopoulos, Anthony Ananga, Vasil Georgiev, and Violeta Tsolova. Nutrient Medium Composition Alters Secondary Metabolites Production in Muscadine Cell Suspension by Modulating the Expression of Structural and Regulatory Genes of Flavonoid Biosynthesis Pathway. FAMU College of Agriculture and Food Sciences Research Forum, Tallahassee, Florida, March 31, 2015

Professional Organization Participation

The Center continues to foster national and international research cooperation and facilitate faculty and students’ membership in professional organizations (FSHS, Florida Grape Growers Association- FGGA, Florida Academy of Science, ASHS, In Vitro Biology, ASEV, ISHS) and elevate the national and international research recognition of the school and the program.


The faculty of the Center for Viticulture & Small Fruit Research continues to provide experiential learning and training for graduate, undergraduate, and high school students.

UNDERGRADUATE COURSE OFFERINGS

• Intro Biotechnology

• Intro Biotechnology Lab

• Global Seminar in Human Sustainability

• Introduction to Food Science

• Food Microbiology and Safety Lecture and Lab

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

Thanks to the undergraduate student research program initiated by the CAFS’s Dean and Director of Land-Grant Programs, Robert W. Taylor, Ph.D., six undergraduate student researchers at the Center for Viticulture & Small Fruit Research were able to participate in successful experiential learning.

CAFS undergraduate student researchers were given the high honor to be lecture presenters for this year’s Biochemistry and Biotechnology Meeting at the 112th Annual Meeting of the Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists (SAAS): Biochemistry and Biotechnology Division held in Atlanta on February 2, 2015.

The papers presented were as follows:Britney Clark, Anthony Ananga, Vasil Georgiev, and Violeta Tsolova: “Characterization and Molecular Cloning of Flavonoid Related Glucosyltransferase (GT’s) Genes from Muscadine Grapes (Vitis rotundifolia Much).” Jasmine

Hall, Anthony Ananga, Vasil Georgiev, and Violeta Tsolova, “Identification and Characterization of Potential Allergens in Muscadine Grapes (Vitis rotundifolia Much).”

Mariah Henry, Anthony Ananga, Vasil Georgiev, and Violeta Tsolova: “Molecular Identification and Detection of Eutypa lata in Muscadine Grapes (Vitis rotundifolia Much).”

Jasmine Hall and Britney Clark were the invited lecture presenters, as well as poster presenters at the 2015 CAFS Research Forum.

Jasmine Hall won first place for the Undergraduate Research Oral Presentation, 2015 CAFS Research Forum, March 31, 2015.

M. Britney Clark won first place for Undergraduate Research Poster Presentation, 2015 CAFS Research Forum, March 31, 2015.

Additionally, student Mike Vasilopoulus won 1st place during the 2015 Graduate Poster Competition at the CAFS Research Forum (March 31, 2015).

Promoting and supporting student recruitment and retention in the college:The faculty at the Center provided mentoring and training for high school students in STEM disciplines (Science Exploration Days for East Gadsden High School, STEM apprentices from Jefferson High School, RATLER, FACE, and AG Discovery Programs) and supported the experiential learning of undergraduate students.

Dual Enrolment Program in Plant Biotechnology at Florida A&M University and Gadsden County School District was expanded to include courses in veterinary medicine for student enrolment fall 2014 and spring 2015.

Enhancing and Promoting

Undergraduate and Graduate

Student Research and Development

GRANTSMANSHIP, PUBLICATION, AND PARTICIPATION IN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS



• Updated landscape and parking lot• Renovated the receptionist area• Added permanent research displays cabinets in the

lobby area• Improved disability access in the rest room area• Resurfaced floors throughout the Center, including

the labs• Replaced the roof • Recruited post doctoral researcher in needed area of

Plant Pathology• Recruited an experienced vintner/ cellar master from

Florence, Italy

WORKING WITH EXTERNAL COLLABORATORS, SPONSORS, AND INDUSTRY CLIENTELE:

The Center continues to maintain a strong working relationship with Florida growers and private industries through research and outreach activities. Partnering with FGGA and the Viticulture Advisory Council, we provided research and technical support to enhance grape products, demonstrate health benefits, protect vineyards from pest and disease, and address other issues of importance to the successful expansion of the grape growing industry.We continue to foster national and international research cooperation and facilitate faculty and student exchange under the FIPSE/Atlantis Program and North American Research Network for Grape Functional Genomics. Recent outreach efforts include:

• 2015 and 2014 FAMU Grape Harvest Festival (August 29, 2015 and August 23, 2014) with more than 3,000 participants, supported in part by FDACS/VAC Grant

• South Georgia Farmers visit (September 4, 2014)• Vineyard Management Program (February 13, 2015)

15 attendees

• Winter Field Day and IPM Management Workshop (January 27, 2015) 27 attendees

• Vineyard BMP & IPM Management Master Gardner Class (May 30, 2015) 30 attendees.

• FAMU Farm Fest (June 13, 2015)• Florida A&M University Alachua County Alumni

Chapter Visit and Vineyard Tour, (September 20, 2014)• Florida A&M University “Day at the Capitol” (March 26,

2015)• Florida A&M University “Golden Class Reunion” (April

17, 2015) • Florida A&M University “President’s Inauguration

Week” Activities, (September 28 -October 4, 2014)• Working visit of Commissioner of Agriculture Adam

Putnam and President Mangum (April 7, 2015)

OTHER SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE:

• Provided assistance and planting material for a grape arbor as a demonstration site and recruitment tool at New Smyrna Beach Middle School

• Provided onsite visit and assistance in establishing a new vineyard at RESORA at Cypress Pond, New Communities, Inc., 801 Old Pretoria Road, Albany, GA 31721

• Facilitated the first muscadine grape introduction trial of nine varieties at the Waimanalo Research Station in cooperation with the University of Hawaii

• Processed 1,354 lbs. of grapes from 31 varieties in the collection for development of new proprietary value added products (Season 2015)

• Vinification of 3710 lbs. of grapes from eight varieties for development of 17 wine styles/types, seven varietals and 10 blends, including three sparkling wines and two low alcohol level wines (Season 2015)

Facilities and Human

Capacity Development


Interim DirectorVioleta Tsolova, Ph.D. - Viticulture & Developmental Biology

Program LeadersAnthony Ananga, Ph.D. - Food BiotechnologyMehboob Sheikh, Ph.D. – Biochemistry

Research AssociatesDevaiah Kambiranda, Ph.D. - BiotechnolgyRVP Reddy Mula, Ph.D. - Cell BiologyJames Obuya, Ph.D. - Plant Pathology

Ren, Zhongbo - Grape BreedingGohar Umar - HorticultureMatteo Voltarelli - Enology

StaffMichael Garrett - Senior Ag. AssistantAngela Harper - Administrative AssistantJarvis Jackson - Research AssistantJesus Jimenez - Field AssistantJose Jimenez - Field AssistantNicolas Jimenez - Field AssistantAnse Kaplan - Lab TechnicianRay Payne - Field AssistantDavid Smithwick - Farm Manager

FACULTY AND STAFF


Center for Viticulture and

Small Fruit Research


Documents

Center for Viticulture and Small Fruit Research FAMU Viticulture Annual Repor… · STUDENT TRAINING Student training is an integral component of the Center’s programs. Students