US: Nation’s researchers team up to improve, protect roses
Byrne is part of two national specialty crop research projects aimed at toughening up roses’ ability to ward off diseases and other pestilences. He cited surveys in which the gardening public said the No. 1 desired trait is disease resistance.
“And I agree with them. That’s what I prefer,” Byrne said. “I don’t want to spray my roses.”
The first project, called RosBREED II, is a five-year effort by researchers studying a number of major fruit crops and roses. Byrne explained that the internationally loved flower is kin to apples, peaches, pears, strawberries, blackberries and cherries as part of the Rosaceae family.
Dr. David Byrne, Texas A&M AgriLife Research rose breeder, examines test roses at a plot near Mansfield, Texas. He is collaborating on two national studies to develop rose varieties that are resistant to diseases such as black spot and rose rosette. (Texas A&M AgriLife Research photo by Kathleen Phillips)
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