News

GoodBerry Workshop at our University

source: Klaus Eimert

EU-Project on floral bud development in berry fruits

The objectives of the EU’s GoodBerry project include research on variety-environment interactions and their effects on flower formation in strawberries, raspberries and blackcurrants. These studies comprise phenological assessments of the different stages of plant growth and fruit analyses. The phenological assessments, such as flower initiation, are accompanied by molecular genetic evaluations. As the project involves research institutes from several European countries (Scotland, Norway, Poland, Germany, France and Italy), close consultation is required on procedures and plant appraisal. This is vital if joint evaluation of the data is to produce meaningful results, which is why, on May 22, 2018, eight scientists from five countries met at our university for a knowledge-sharing event organized by the Departments of Pomology and Molecular Plant Science. All three fruits initiate their flower buds for the following spring during the summer/autumn, depending on temperature and hours of daylight. Because of the different longitudes within Europe, the flower development process in the participating countries begins at different times. Using microscopy specimens produced on site the scientists discussed flower formation from the vegetative stage and the stage with the first visible floral organs through to the stages with highly differentiated flower buds. This lively knowledge-sharing workshop has resulted in a better, standardized assessment procedure for the observed development stages and thus in a more secure data situation for all subsequent analyses and comparisons.

Images

Daniela Mott, Sant’Orsola, Italien; Karine Guy, Invenio, France; Sibel Söker, Hochschule Geisenheim; Bastienne Brauksiepe, Hochschule Geisenheim; Erika Krüger, Hochschule Geisenheim; Rodmar Rivero, NIBIO, Norwegen; Klaus Eimert, Hochschule Geisenheim; Gianluca Savini, Sant’Orsola, Italien; Dorota Jarret, James Hutton Institute, Schottland; source: Tina Kissinger
source: Klaus Eimert
source: Klaus Eimert
Gianluca Savini and Rodmar Rivero; source: Tina Kissinger