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We developed and investigated a stochastic farm enterprise budget framework that properly accounts for uncertainty in estimates used for investment decisions and structural dependency between yields and prices, which is generally absent in traditional (nonstochastic) budgets. In the first stage, we developed a traditional enterprise budget based on theoretical and accounting methods recommended by the American Agricultural Economics Association (AAEA) Task Force on Commodity Costs and Returns. In the second stage, we developed a probabilistic framework based on estimates derived from die traditional approach, and extended the approach to a stochastic framework through Monte Carlo simulations under specific price elasticity of demand. We applied the framework to estimate the costs, revenues and conducted investment analysis of producing muscadine grapes (Vitis rotundifolia) in Georgia using a single-trellis system. Finally, we compared results derived from both approaches and revealed muscadine grape production and marketing to be an economically sound investment under multiple scenarios. Overall, the confidence placed on traditional budget estimates and investment outcomes was found to be overestimated at least 3-fold. This suggests that the true uncertainty in the returns and profitability of the business is grossly underestimated, erroneously painting a more promising outlook of investing in muscadine grape production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The grape ( Vitis vinifera) industry has long been a leader in the utilization of edible by-products to increase the revenue of the industry with products such as grape seed extract, dried pomace, and pigment extracts. However, the muscadine grape ( Vitis rotundifolia) industry in the southeastern United States has lagged in the development of secondary products from wine and juice manufacture due to economic and processing limitations associated with this grape. Processing of pomaces rich in polyphenolics, such as muscadine grapes, can lead to an increase in economic value per ton of fruit and the decrease of waste material generated. Therefore, the profitability of two drying technologies (spray drying and vacuum concentration) was assessed as means to extract and concentrate polyphenolics from muscadine grape pomace. An economic analysis was conducted based on break-even point analysis, sensitivity analysis, and return on investment estimation. Assumptions were required to complete the analysis. Using initial production conditions ( 124 kg of extract at $140/kg, and 11,309 kg of dried skins at $3.00/kg), the profit generated from spray drying was higher than vacuum concentration. In addition, return of investment was 10% higher in spray drying (22.2%) compared with vacuum concentration (12.3%), which barely covered the net present value of the operation. Although spray drying proved to be a less expensive technology (with the actual characteristics and proper assumptions), the vacuum evaporator used for this situation had three times the capacity of the spray dryer, thus only vacuum concentration would support a potential growth in extract production if the volume processed was to be increased significantly. Sensitivity analysis illustrated that both technologies obtained positive results with initial production conditions with a 40% increase in production and prices. This study also illustrated various assumptions that could be changed to recalculate and readjust investment and costs of any processor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The North American muscadine grape (Muscadinia rotundifolia Small) is a valuable source of resistance to powdery mildew [Uncinula necator (Schw.) Burr], root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne Goeldi), dagger nematode (Xiphinema index Thorne and Allen), grape phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae Fitch), and Pierce's disease (Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al.). Efforts to breed muscadine grapes commenced in the early 1900s and have generated a large number of cultivars and a limited number of hybrids with Vitis vinifera L. and other Vitis L. species. Collections of this germplasm are currently maintained with accession identity based on declared identity when collected, breeding records, and comparisons of morphological traits. This study reports on the first use of DNA-based simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker profiles to authenticate M. rotundifolia cultivars and hybrids. A total of 57 accessions [39 M. rotundifolia cultivars, 3 V. vinifera cultivars, 3 Vitis spp. hybrids, and 12 V. vinifera x M. rotundifolia (VR) hybrids] from collections at the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Clonal Germplasm Repository and the University of California (Davis) Department of Viticulture and Enology were analyzed with 14 SSR markers. The fingerprint profiles were used to verify published breeding records of 31 M. rotundifolia cultivars and hybrids by comparing the shared alleles of parents and progeny. Marker data indicated that four cultivars were incorrectly identified; their alleles did not match respective parent/progeny relationships at more than five loci. Two M. rotundifolia accessions had the same fingerprint profile as a third accession at all 14 markers, implicating a likely planting error. The M. rotundifolia cultivars exhibited 88 unique alleles that were not present in a database of more than 600 V. vinifera cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study estimates and compares the production costs and profitability of muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifilia) production under the single-wire (SW) and the Geneva double curtain (GDC) trellis systems with and without drip irrigation. Profitability analysis revealed that muscadine grape production can be a profitable venture. Irrigated muscadine grape vineyards were shown to be more profitable than nonirrigated vineyards. The comparison of the GDC trellis system and the SW trellis system indicates that the GDC trellis system is more profitable. Returns to land and management from muscadine grapes grown under the GDC system were found to be less sensitive to changes in prices and yields than the returns from muscadine grapes grown under the SW trellis system. Net returns from irrigated systems were also found to be less sensitive to variations in prices and yields than nonirrigated systems. The estimated total costs of establishing (Years 0-3) a muscadine grape vineyard were between $9783/acre and $15,065/acre depending on the production system used. For the GDC production system, which was the most profitable production system, the estimated return to land and management was $447/acre. Cash flow analysis demonstrated that the payback period for this system can be achieved in the 10th year, whereas the net present value of the investment was estimated at $4484 and the internal rate of return was estimated at 9.6%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the effect of irrigation on the profitability of the muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifilia) operation. Data from a 3-year experiment in which muscadine grapes were grown under four irrigation regimes were used to establish the relationship between yields and irrigation. Assuming a muscadine fruit price of $0.50/1b, harvesting costs of $0.21/1b, and irrigation costs of $16.75/acre-inch, the profit-maximizing level of irrigation was estimated to he 13.1 acre-inches for a season, or 7 gal/day per plant. Water requirements for profit maximization are 9% lower than water requirements for yield maximizing. Moreover, it is concluded that the effect of an adequate use of irrigation in the profitability of the muscadine grape operation can be substantial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia) planting was established in 1996 at the Southwest Research and Extension Center in Hope, Ark., to provide information on the performance of muscadine grape cultivars in a region where cold hardiness is not a major limitation. This research evaluated harvest parameters, fruit and juice quality, and nutraceutical potential of selected muscadine cultivars grown in southwestern Arkansas. The cultivars evaluated were 'Black Beauty', 'Carlos', 'Cowart', 'Doreen', 'Early Fry', 'Fry', 'Granny Val', 'Ison', 'Jumbo', 'Late Fry', NC67A015-17, NC67A015-26, 'Nesbitt', 'Scarlett', 'Southern Home', 'Sterling', 'Sugargate', 'Summit', 'Supreme', and 'Tara'. Muscadine cultivars differed in productivity and fruit quality. In 2002 and 2003, juice was produced from 'Carlos', 'Granny Val', 'Ison', 'Nesbitt', 'Southern Home', 'Summit', and 'Supreme' grapes. 'Black Beauty' was also produced into juice in 2003. In 2002, 'Nesbitt' grapes had the highest juice yield, 520 L⋅t-1 (124.6 gal/ton). 'Ison' and 'Supreme' juice had the highest soluble solids level. In 2003, 'Granny Val' grapes had the highest juice yield, 551 L⋅t-1 (132.0 gal/ton). 'Southern Home' juice had the highest soluble solids. The press materials of muscadine grapes were a potential source of high levels of nutraceutical compounds. Dried seeds had the highest total phenolic and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) levels followed by the dried skins, the grapes, and then the juice. The skins of the black cultivars had the highest total anthocyanins level. 'Supreme' seeds had the highest total phenolic and ORAC levels while 'Ison' skins had the highest total anthocyanin levels. Based on yield, harvest, and juice quality, cultivars recommended to growers in southwestern Arkansas and other areas with a similar climate include 'Black Beauty', 'Carlos', 'Fry', 'Granny Val', 'Nesbitt', 'Southern Home', 'Summit', and 'Supreme'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia Michx.) vines may be male (M), female (F), or hermaphroditic (H). Male flowers have only filaments and anthers, whereas female and hermaphroditic flowers are morphologically perfect. Female flowers are distinguished from hermaphroditic flowers by their reflexed stamens (as opposed to upright) and nonfunctional pollen. Primers derived from previously identified candidate genes located at the sex locus of Vitis vinifera L. were used to generate amplicons from M, F, and H muscadine cultivars. Sequence analysis of the amplicons revealed insertion/deletion (indel) polymorphisms in a trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (TPP) gene (VR006) and a WRKY transcription factor 21 gene (VR009). Primers were designed to create diagnostic markers for each indel polymorphism. Associations between the marker alleles and the plant sex trait were examined in a wide range of muscadine germplasm and in segregating populations derived from F × H, F × M, and H × H crosses. VR006 produced a codominant marker that was able to differentiate the female-associated allele from the male- and hermaphroditic-associated alleles. The marker was able to detect female plants and will be suitable for screening breeding program progenies. VR009 was able to detect the presence of the female allele in most germplasm, but a crossover event appears to have separated the marker from the sex locus in some germplasm. As shown in previous muscadine genetic studies, H × H-derived populations produced male seedlings. Marker analysis of these populations indicates that male flowers only occur in seedlings which are heterozygous for F- and H-associated marker alleles and inheritance of flower type in muscadine remains unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In grapevines (Vitis spp.), the timing of growth cessation in the fall is an important aspect of adaptation and a key objective in breeding new grape cultivars suitable for continental climates. Growth cessation is a complex biological process that is initiated by environmental cues such as daylength and temperature, as well as water and nutrient availability. The genetic control of growth cessation in grapevines was studied by mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) in a hybrid grape population. An F2 mapping population was developed by selfing a single F1 plant derived from a cross between an accession of the North American species Vitis riparia and the Vitis hybrid wine cultivar Seyval (Seyve-Villard 5-276). A linkage map was constructed using 115 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and six candidate genes in a population of 119 F2 progeny. The markers provided coverage of the 19 Vitis linkage groups with an average distance between markers of 8.4 cM. The critical photoperiod for growth cessation in lateral buds for the parents and F2 progeny was determined in a replicated field trial in 2001 and 2002 and under controlled photoperiod treatments in a greenhouse in 2002, 2003, and 2004. QTL analysis using composite interval mapping identified a single major QTL in the field and greenhouse trials. However, the field and greenhouse QTL mapped to different linkage groups in the two different environments, suggesting the presence of additional, nonphotoperiodic cues for induction of growth cessation in the field. In the greenhouse, where noninducing temperatures were maintained, a QTL on linkage group (LG) 13 explained 80.0% to 96.6% of the phenotypic variance of critical photoperiod for growth cessation. In the field, where vines experienced natural fluctuations in temperature and rainfall in addition to the naturally decreasing photoperiod, a QTL on LG 11 explained 85.4% to 94.3% of phenotypic variance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]