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Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025


Success StoryAiding nurseries in producing improved pawpaw cultivars for increased profits



Aiding nurseries in producing improved pawpaw cultivars for increased profits

Author: Sheri Crabtree

Planning Unit: KSU Administration

Major Program: Commercial Horticulture

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Over 50 pawpaw cultivars are currently commercially available, however, the great majority of these were produced through wild selection and have inferior fruit. KSU has released three improved pawpaw cultivars (KSU-Atwood, KSU-Benson, and KSU-Chappell) that were developed through selective breeding and rigorous variety trials. After working with three commercial nurseries in Kentucky and determining their needs, we have assisted these nurseries in propagating KSU cultivars, which are now available for sale at their nurseries. Improved cultivars sell for an average of $10 per tree more than seedlings, leading to a greater profit for these nurseries. This year, Kentucky nurseries sold between 20-50 trees of KSU improved cultivars, but this will increase in coming years as their nursery stock matures. We will continue to assist these nurseries with propagation material and information on methods of propagation.






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