2014 Haskap Canada AGM (Part 3): Danae Frier & Haskap Pollination Research

Danae Frier is a M.Sc. candidate at the University of Regina. She reported on the pollination biology of Lonicera caerulea at this year's Haskap Canada AGM.

Beginning with plant structure, this provided the ground work for her to speak about the pollination possibilities.  Because of the uniqueness of haskap's two flowers eventually forming one berry study is currently under way to find more precisely the manner in which this mechanism functions. The pollination of this fruit is known to be fully insect-dependent.  The flower is bee-friendly, and given the time of flowering bumble bees and smaller native bees seem important, being inherently more cold-adapted.  Among other things, field studies this year will consider efficiency-compared-to-effectiveness of various pollinators and which factor is more important to haskap fruit pollination.  She also presented on the bumble bee life-cycle, the importance of forage establishment for year-round bee sustenance, and suitable nest sites for native pollinators.

Again, we include her presentation here and ask that if you share them that attribution is included.  Thank you...

 

http://haskap.ca

http://www.fruit.usask.ca/haskap.html

2014 Haskap Canada AGM (Part 2): James Dawson & The Nutrition Of Haskap

James Dawson is a PhD graduate student at the University of Saskatchewan, in the Department of Plant Sciences.  He has presented at both the University of Saskatchewan's Haskap Day as well as at Haskap Canada AGMs.

At this year's Haskap Canada AGM he spoke on the manner in which antioxidants/polyphenyls are actually metabolized in the human body, which as it is coming to be better understood as an emerging science, will put a whole new slant on how you should approach antioxidants in general, and haskap in particular.  His presentation demonstrates precisely why the resources of university research are critical to better understanding the ongoing revelations that the sciences continue to offer.  

We include his presentation this year entitled, Phenylpropanoids In Lonicera caerulea for your viewing pleasure and ask that if you share them that attribution is included.  Thank you...

http://haskap.ca

http://www.fruit.usask.ca/haskap.html

2014 Haskap Canada AGM (Part 1): Dr. Bob Bors & The University Of Saskatchewan Research And Development Program

The 2014 Haskap Canada AGM started at 10:00 a.m. on February 29th at the Agriculture Building on the University of Saskatchewan campus.

The meeting began with a report by the University of Saskatchewan's Dr. Bob Bors.  During his presentation he discussed:

• the sources of funding for ongoing haskap research, 
• the ongoing developmental nature/evolution of the research, 
• the outcomes of a wide selection of controlled crosses, 
• the fact that 20,000 seedlings are now coming into fruit production at the university's Horticulture Field Lab and its implications, 
• a review/critique on the success of various forms of mechanical harvest
• a review of the various selections and their growth characteristics
• interim reports that will become available online
• the continued development of fruit selection standards
• the development of a quick-screening platform for evaluating neutriceutical properties
• the trial currently going on in Ontario

As usual it was a very informative presentation, the technical nature of what it takes to continue to strive for exceptional, haskap-quality varieties being the focus and how the vast array of the University of Saskatchewan's facilities are able to contribute to this.