The Needs of the Fruit Industry in the U. S. for the Important Testing and Release of New Cultivars: An Industry Perspective

Abstract

The United States fruit industry is finding that the world fruit markets are becoming more competitive on an international level. The need to stay current with the national and international market demands are quickly becoming a reality for the future existence of our fruit industry. The breeding programs around the world are competing for these consumer demands. Our ability to rapidly import, evaluate, and commercialize these varieties will have a major impact on the success of the United States fruit industry to remain in business and make available to their customers both domestic and international what they require for the 21st century. The current plant introduction systems need major overhaul to speed the entry of new genetic material into our country.