Understanding & Enhancing Climate Resilient Berries
The genus Vaccinium includes commercially, ecologically and traditionally important berries which grow from Coast to Coast to Coast in Canada. Some examples include commercial cranberry and blueberry as well as huckleberry, lingonberry and bilberry. They are nutritious foods and valuable specialty crops. Understanding how these species as well as commercial varieties are likely to respond to future mixed environmental stresses will be important to develop and maintain sustainable and resilient food systems. The BERRi Lab is employing controlled environment studies, in vitro plant culture, metabolomics, hormonomics, and quantum dot microscopy techniques to understand resilience in these species.
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Blueberry Varietal Susceptibility to Blueberry Scorch Virus
Blueberry scorch virus is an ongoing management challenge and research priority for blueberry producers in the Fraser Valley. This collaborative project between UFV, the BC Ministry of Agriculture & Food and collaborators at SFU aims to better understand susceptibility and tolerance of new and popular blueberry varietals to blueberry scorch virus. The overall goal is to generate information which can help inform future planting choices for growers in the region.