Breeding Programs for Sustainable Agriculture

Efforts made by NJAES breeding programs assist farmers in adapting to environmental and economic changes. Varieties, or cultivars, are selected based on quality, yield, and tolerance to stressors of local importance. Stressors include conditions (i.e., heat and drought) and threats (i.e., pests and diseases) that damage plants and therefore endanger the farmers who rely on selling healthy crops to make a living. Varieties are trialed and evaluated for favorable traits that address farmer needs, such as: increased yields, improved disease/stress tolerance, improved flavor, enhanced nutritional content, and superior quality.

Breeding programs provide natural solutions that benefit the environment, the economy, and society. Supporting research for new varieties of plants and shellfish is one of the best ways to create a more sustainable food system; new varieties are essential to sustain social, environmental, and economic systems.

For example, this research reduces agricultural pollution by identifying plant and shellfish varieties naturally adapted to stressors, lowering pesticide, fertilizer, and water use. The following NJAES breeding programs focus on threats impacting agriculture worldwide.

Take action. Pick a program and donate to make a difference.

Your donation will assist with:

Crop development
Introduction of new exotic plants to NJ
Support the NJ Agricultural Experiment Station
Support the NJ farming community
Provide tolerance for local crops

Hazelnut Research

Develop NEW CROPS to increase local sustainable production of hazelnuts while combating eastern filbert blight

New hazelnut varieties make local nuts possible.

Support the hazelnut program and new crops will emerge for a sustainable food system.

Pepper Research

Introduce EXOTIC FOODS

New pepper varieties provide local spice.

Create alternative hot pepper markets in NJ and the region to include food, herbal remedies, landscape, ornamental, and as a pesticide for some crops.

Reduce the number of miles in transporting fresh peppers, spice blends, hot sauces, and other applications of hot peppers.

Support the pepper program and offer new crops for a changing world.

Tomato Research

Rediscover VARIETIES

New tomato varieties make people happy.

Support the tomato program and eat high quality Jersey tomatoes and tomato sauces.

Strawberry Research

Improve FLAVOR

New strawberry varieties taste better.

Focus on new varieties, non-GMO, extended growing season, increased flavor.

Support the strawberry program and raise the supply of flavorful fruit to meet local demand.

Oyster Research

Restore ECOSYSTEMS

New oyster varieties protect sea communities.

Support the oyster program and support a stable future for the Delaware Bay and Jersey’s living shorelines.

Turfgrass Research

Reduce WATER USE

New turfgrass varieties require less water.

Support the turfgrass program and reduce the amount of water needed to irrigate lawns, fields, and golf courses.

Cranberry Research

Help FARMERS

New cranberry varieties sustains agriculture.

One of the largest ag crops in NJ.

Support the cranberry program and preserve dependable income for South Jersey farmers.

Tree Fruit Research

Support FARMS

New tree fruit varieties benefit local nurseries.

Fruit and trees for local farms and national produce sales.

Support the tree fruit program and improve the quality of local peaches, apples, plums, nectarines, and apricots.

Dogwood Research

Beautify LANDSCAPES

New dogwood varieties are beautiful.

Provide NJ nurseries trees that are unique to NJ in color spectrum and disease tolerance.

Support the dogwood program and encourage colorful landscapes across the state.

Basil Research

Breed TOLERANCE

New basil varieties tolerate humidity.

Can withstand the threat of basil downy mildew, a common basil disease in the Northeast.

Support the basil program and reduce plant diseases commonly found in the Northeast.

Lettuce Research

Foster NUTRITION

New lettuce varieties improve nutrition.

Boosting flavor, color, and nutritional value of lettuce. Transforming lettuce into a superfood.

Support the lettuce program and increase antioxidant content of store-bought lettuce.

Asparagus Research

Increase YIELDS

New asparagus varieties grow a bigger harvest.

Support the asparagus program and increase efficiency of production for asparagus growers.

Holly Research

Enhance DURABILITY

New holly varieties withstand the cold.

Support the holly program and see beautiful red holly berries all winter in the Northeast.

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