By Maggie Edwards 

Two years ago, Jimmy Ferguson spent a March night fighting freezing temperatures on his Washington County blueberry farm with a propane-fueled wind machine. The towering fan pulls warmer air closer to the fruit, ideally protecting the fragile buds from frost. 

That wasn’t enough to save his crop, but research from Auburn University’s (AU) Dr. Sushan Ru could prevent future disasters.

“Blueberries have been a major small fruit in Alabama with a long growing history,” said Ru, an assistant professor in AU’s Department of Horticulture. “The cultivars growers use are outdated. They need more breeding support — so that’s what we’re going to provide.”

When Ru arrived at AU in 2021, she began the land-grant university’s first blueberry breeding program with the goal to improve efficiency and breeding through genetic research.

Her first step was evaluating the state’s current options. 

“We’ve worked on two proposals for different ecotypes, hoping to improve southern highbush and rabbiteye,” said Ru, who conducts research at the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station. “For southern highbush, the focus is frost and drought tolerance, plus disease resistance. Improving fruit quality and advancing maturity is key for rabbiteye.”

Alabama farmers need diverse cultivars to help avoid heavy crop loss, Ru said.

“In the last four years, blueberry farmers have suffered from frost and a market crash,” Ru said. “The data is there. If we don’t do anything, it’s not sustainable for the industry.” 

Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) Executive Director Blake Thaxton said Ru’s discoveries have been positive. She’s also explored cultivars in Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and North Carolina. 

“This research could drastically improve the quality of operations for Jimmy Ferguson and other farmers,” Thaxton said. “Overhead frost protection is a big expense for small farmers. Introducing varieties that will maintain frost resistance could be a game changer.”

Ferguson agreed.  

“My hope is new developments will help plants become harvest-ready by the first of May,” said Ferguson, an AFVGA board member. “That would help the plants mature faster and survive cold snaps better.”

Though it can take years for blueberry breeding research results to fully reach the surface, Ferguson and Ru are committed to seeking solutions. 

“Our growers are the most important part of this effort because that’s who we are serving,” Ru said. “I was fortunate to establish a connection with Mr. Ferguson from the very beginning. I have received input, feedback and advice from him and other growers. Hearing farmers talk about the costs, equipment, cultivars, needs and challenges has shaped the direction of the breeding program.”