High-quality fruits produced in Japan are attracting attention from around the world. Demand for domestically grown fruits, which have excellent taste, high productivity, and transportability, is increasing overseas, and the Japanese fruit export market is expected to continue to expand in the future. Yamanashi Prefecture is known as a major producer of Japanese fruits. What kind of research is being conducted at the Yamanashi Prefecture Fruit Tree Experiment Station, which has supported the development of fruit tree cultivation? What are the efforts and the expected new varieties?
Fruit cultivation in Yamanashi Prefecture has continued since the Edo period
Highly praised from overseasJapanese fruits. The export value of domestically produced fruits is on the rise, with the export value of apples, grapes, strawberries, peaches, melons, and citrus fruits increasing by about 15-30% compared to the previous year, pears by 40.1%, and oysters by 50%. . Fruit tree experiment stations across the country have supported fruit tree cultivation in Japan. The 11 institutions run by prefectures where fruit cultivation is popular, such as Aomori, Fukushima, Nagano, Ehime, and Kumamoto, develop varieties that suit the natural environment and climate of the region, and research and disseminate cultivation techniques. We are striving to
Continuing from the Edo period in 1938 (Showa 13)Fruit cultivation in Yamanashi PrefectureThe Yamanashi Prefecture Fruit Tree Experiment Station was established with the aim of promoting and developing the area. Located on a hill in Yamanashi City overlooking the Kofu Basin, the entire area is covered with pink peach blossoms in spring, making it a perfect place to visit.TogenkyoYou can enjoy the scenery worthy of its name.
Books from the Edo periodKai series record(Kaisoki)” is “Koshu HachichinkaIt is written that eight items called “koshu hatchinka” (peaches, grapes, pears, chestnuts, oysters, apples, pomegranates, ginkgo nuts, or walnuts) were presented to Edo via the Koshu Highway. From around this time, Yamanashi Prefecture started producing high-quality fruits, and the history of fruit tree cultivation seems to have begun. Kofu already had something like a tourist vineyard, and in the Meiji era,sightseeing vineyardIt became famous as “. After the Meiji period, as the silk industry flourished and the sericulture industry declined, mulberry fields were converted one after another into orchards, and full-scale fruit cultivation began in Yamanashi.
Engaging in research and breeding focused on four tree species
Fruit trees include citrus fruits such as mandarin oranges, lemons, and yuzu.evergreen fruit treesIt is classified as a deciduous fruit tree such as grapes, persimmons, apples, kiwis, and pears.At Yamanashi Prefecture Fruit Tree Experiment Stationdeciduous fruit treeSpecialized research and breeding is underway on four tree species: peaches, grapes, plums, and cherries.
Deciduous fruit trees, which do not flower unless exposed to low temperatures, can be stably cultivated by experiencing low temperatures in winter. For this reason, Yamanashi Prefecture, with its large seasonal temperature differences and low rainfall of approximately 1,000 ml per year, has been considered a suitable location for outdoor cultivation of deciduous fruit trees. It is now the largest producer of grapes, peaches, and plums in Japan, and ranks third in the country for cherries. Minami Alps City, Yamanashi Prefecture is said to be the southernmost producer of cherries, which do not grow in high temperatures.
Kazushi Kobayashi, manager of the plant, says, “As we are a testing site in Japan’s largest production area in terms of cultivation area and production volume, we have high expectations from those around us, and we are in demand for high-quality varieties and techniques.” The staff not only do research in the laboratory, but also go out into the field to manage the 17ha farmland, cultivating fruit trees and identifying areas for improvement and issues. “If you don’t actually cultivate at the same level as the farmers in Yamanashi, you won’t be able to find a solution to the problem. When developing new cultivation techniques and new varieties, it is essential to acquire solid cultivation techniques before conducting research.” and talk. In particular, it is rare to find an experimental laboratory that has a dedicated breeding department and focuses on cultivar development.
This is an important work in grape cultivation that is now widespread throughout the country.Gibberellin treatment”. In 1959, the Delaware grape was successfully treated with gibberellin to make it seedless, and in 1960, the Yamanashi Prefecture Fruit Tree Experiment Station established the gibberellin treatment technology. By soaking the flower spikes in a chemical solution containing a plant hormone called gibberellin two to three weeks before full bloom, and repeating the process again two weeks after flowering, they were able to promote seedless production and fruit enlargement.
In 1976, he discovered that “Ajimuka”, which causes poor coloration and low sugar content in the “Koshu” grapes, was a viral disease, and subsequently caused symptoms in “Kyoho”, “Pione”, and “Kaiji”. We discovered that this was the same cause, and developed a green branch joint test method that allows for easy diagnosis. By establishing technology to make seedlings virus-free, we have contributed to improving the quality of grapes.
Continuing to challenge breeding that takes many years
The process of growing fruit trees takes many years. It takes three years from crossbreeding to bear fruit, and it takes 10 to 15 years to find a superior variety, including grafting and breeding, and several rounds of selection. In the case of winemaking grapes, the process of test brewing is included after cultivating selected varieties, so it takes even longer.Wine varieties take more than 20 years to develop.That’s what it means. However, there is no guarantee that a promising variety will be found in the end, and it is necessary to repeat the painstaking process.
A new wine variety born in Japan
The Yamanashi Prefecture Fruit Tree Experiment Station has been working on developing grape varieties for winemaking since 1950, but there is no other research center in Japan that is actively developing grape varieties for winemaking. Manager Kobayashi has been working at the experimental station since 1992 and has been involved in grape cultivation and breeding for many years.
In search of “brewing varieties that can be stably cultivated in Japan,” after many years of research, we have developed the white wine variety “Mondebrier” (registered as a variety in 2016), “Colline Verte” (registered in 2019), and the red wine variety “Almonoire”. ” (registered in 2009) and “Soie Noir” (application announced in October 2022), original varieties have been born. Many wineries have commercialized Bijou Noir (registered in 2008). Director Kobayashi says, “There are traditional varieties such as Chardonnay, Cabernet, and Merlot, and it is very difficult to create a variety that is on the same level as, if not surpassing, those varieties.” However, Pinot… We have high expectations for “Soie Noir,” a cross between Noir and Merlot. This new variety was named for its smooth, silky taste.It matures early in late August, and the fruit has more than twice the anthocyanin content of Merlot, resulting in good coloring and dark wine. This wine, with its moderate astringency and well-balanced, mellow taste, has received high praise from experts.
Katsuhiro Shintani, who is also in charge of test brewing, says, “In recent years, as organic cultivation and sustainable agriculture practices have been promoted, there is a need for varieties that maintain high quality and are resistant to disease and climate change.” He aims to develop varieties that are compatible with Japan’s soil and climate, respecting the climate, and reducing the use of pesticides as much as possible.
“Europe has a wide variety of varieties and a culture born out of a long history.Many of the varieties that have been bred to date are based on European varieties, but the varieties we are currently developing are 100 years old. I hope that Japan will become an indigenous variety in 200 years.I hope that in the future Japan will become a wine-producing region with a wide variety of varieties.”With this in mind, we are developing varieties that are as high quality as those in Europe, and varieties that are suitable for Japan’s climate. I am immersed in research every day to increase variations.
Cultivating next-generation varieties that can withstand extreme weather
Kyoho and Pione, two representative black grapes, become difficult to color when exposed to high temperatures. The optimum temperature for the enzyme that synthesizes the black pigment anthocyanin is said to be below 25 degrees Celsius, and if the temperature does not drop below 25 degrees Celsius for a long period of time during tropical nights, the coloring will deteriorate. “We have reached the point where we can no longer solve the problem with cultivation technology. We have no choice but to solve the problem with varieties.” He says that he is selecting next-generation varieties that are easy to color even at high temperatures and can withstand Yamanashi’s summers, and are trying to prevent global warming. We are focusing on developing varieties that can withstand extreme climate change and extreme weather conditions.
Although advances in genetic analysis technology have made it possible to develop varieties more efficiently, fruit tree breeding still takes time and effort. “Needs change with the times, but breeding takes more than 10 years, so we have to respond to a wide range of needs while aiming for high quality and labor savings,” says Director Kobayashi.
However, the fundamental idea remains unchanged: “Developing varieties that have both improved taste and high productivity.” If the cultivability of fruit trees is poor, the production volume will not increase and the variety will not become popular. Fruits cannot become a brand unless they are popularized. “Shine MuscatA variety that has both excellent taste and good productivity can become a brand. “Sunshine Red”, which was developed by the Yamanashi Prefecture Fruit Tree Experiment Station and debuted this year, is a red variety with the unique aroma and taste of Muscat. Director Kobayashi is satisfied with the new variety, saying, “You have to be careful about coloring when cultivating it, but it has a great taste and bright color.”
Director Kobayashi, who has been involved in grape research for many years, says, “I have just tried my best to solve each problem in front of me one by one.I am responding to requests from the field rather than working on what I want to research.” I gained a lot of experience there,” he says, looking back on his past. He quickly investigates the causes of problems at production sites, solves problems, and provides information. “We want to be a testing center that can immediately respond to the expectations and requests of farmers.” We could see the pride of the fruit testing center, which is responsible for the fruit kingdom of Yamanashi, a major production area.
In recent years, at the cultivation site of “Shine Muscat”, “hypobloom disease” symptoms occur frequently. As cultivation continues, diseases and disorders that were not present at the time of cultivar development may emerge, so we must take measures to resolve them as early as possible. “We will continue to keep an eye on the field, consider countermeasures against abnormal weather, and develop technologies that will help farmers make money,” says Director Kobayashi.
“Yamanashi, the Kingdom of Fruits” is the result of the efforts and research of the staff at the Yamanashi Prefecture Fruit Tree Experiment Station. In order to protect and support one of Japan’s leading production areas, our staff members are in the fields every day, working directly with fruits as they continue their research. I hope that the grapes in front of me now will be indigenous varieties that will be loved in Japan 100 or 200 years from now.
Tags: Yamanashi Prefecture Fruit Tree Experiment Station laid foundation major production area Fruit Kingdom Yamanashi Yamanashi City Yamanashi Prefecture NIHONMONO
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