Horticultural Crops

Research in the horticultural crops focus area will seek to discover new plant varieties,  improved cultivation practices and disease and insect management approaches as well as post harvest handling and fresh produce food safety to support commercial growers in South Carolina and homeowners.   There will continue to be research on vegetable and specialty crop production with a new emphasis on the effects of plant-based foods on human health and nutrition.  Research will continue in the area of viral diseases in watermelons and the formulation of methods for control of these diseases.
Research programs are anticipated to improve the productivity and profitability of South Carolina’s peach industry.  These efforts include developing and improving pome and stonefruit rootstocks through breeding and genetic engineering, focusing on resistant gene candidates.   Another critical element is the eradication, containment and/or management of plum pox disease and other viruses in peaches.  New rootstocks are identified from worldwide sources to support the peach industry in the state.

Page maintained by: Gary McMahan, gmcmhn@clemson.edu