A History of Bunch Grapes Research in Mississippi
MSU Affiliation
Extension Service (MSUES); Coastal Research and Extension Center
Creation Date
2026-06-30
Abstract
Bunch grapes research in Mississippi has helped shape the current grape industry in the southeastern United States. Cultural management studies, cultivar and rootstock trials, processing (wine, juice, raisin), and Pierce’s disease research all contributed to the base knowledge of the region. Research began at Mississippi A&M College as early as 1888 and presently continues at Mississippi State University. The most impactful research over the years was primarily in the areas of Pierce’s disease identification and plant response and cultivar development. Norman Loomis, United States Department of Agriculture, pushed grape research forward in Mississippi for decades. His work was influential and eventually led to the release of three bunch grape cultivars, Miss Blanc, Miss Blue, and MidSouth. Today, the grape industry in Mississippi is very small, but with rapidly growing industries in surrounding states it seems only a matter of time before Mississippi follows and grape research once again becomes a substantial area of interest.
Publication Date
7-1-2016
Publication Title
Journal of the American Pomological Society
Publisher
American Pomological Society
First Page
158
Last Page
164
Recommended Citation
Stafne, E. T. (2016). A History of Bunch Grapes Research in Mississippi. Journal of the American Pomological Society, 70(3), 158–164.
