Sun World launches DNA profiling program

One of the world’s foremost fruit breeders has launched an extensive DNA profiling effort to properly catalogue and identify its lines of seedless table grape, plum, peach, and apricot varieties. Sun World International LLC has built a comprehensive library of genetic fingerprints that identify the proprietary fruit varieties it develops at its Research & Development Center here, Senior Vice President David Marguleas said.

The varieties, which form the basis for Sun World’s own California fruit production as well as that of its international licensees, are protected under various Plant Breeders Rights or plant patent rights in the United States, Europe, South Africa, Chile, Australia, New Zealand and numerous other countries. DNA analyses are undertaken at leading DNA testing facilities in North America and Europe where Sun World is able to accurately catalogue and identify its varieties, Marguleas said.

DNA contains the genetic instructions for the development and functioning of living organisms such as plants, as well as inheritance traits that enable scientists to accurately identify different organisms, including plants that bear fruit.

“Effective Intellectual Property protection remains critical to our long-term success as a breeder, producer, marketer and licensor of new fruit varieties. This new DNA testing program -- utilizing well-established, recognized technology and involving initial fingerprinting as well as random market checks throughout the fruit season -- provides Sun World with a powerful tool in the protection of valuable fruit varieties,” Marguleas noted.

From suspect fruit purchased in the marketplace, DNA samples can be easily extracted, tested and analyzed and from which scientists can determine whether the suspect variety originated in Sun World’s breeding program, he said. This fingerprinting capability, coupled with the expanded new legal protection that many countries’ plant variety rights legislation offers breeders by preventing the sale of infringing fruit, will bolster IP rights and encourage added investment in variety development programs,” he added.

The testing process involves extracting DNA from almost any plant tissue including the flesh of the fruit. The DNA extracted can be used for many analyses and can be stored for many years. This DNA sample can then be shipped to one of Sun World’s testing facilities in North America or Europe.

“Laboratories need a large library of varieties to ensure positive variety identification,” according to Sun World Grape Breeder Dr. Michael Striem. “Over the course of the past five years, Sun World has established a DNA fingerprint library on more than 70 varieties, establishing one of the world’s largest DNA collections for proprietary fruit,” Striem added.

Sun World owns 180 plant patents for new varieties of seedless grapes, peaches, apricots and plums in 16 countries. It has established a fruit licensing program that involves more than 1,000 producers and leading marketing companies in most of the world’s major fruit-growing regions.

The California company’s new variety development work focuses on a full range of seedless grapes with extraordinary characteristics such as enhanced flavor, distinctive taste, larger berries and clusters, earlier and later ripening times and availability, and increased productivity. It also develops new plums, peaches, apricots and nectarines with distinctive traits.

Sun World’s proprietary grapes include a wide range of white, red and black seedless varieties that are sold under private trademarks and brands such as MIDNIGHT BEAUTY®, SUPERIOR SEEDLESS®, SCARLOTTA SEEDLESS®, SABLE SEEDLESS® and SOPHIA SEEDLESS®. Stonefruit varieties include dozens of individual plum, peach and apricot varieties that are sold under brands such as BLACK DIAMOND®, BLACK GIANT®, HONEYCOT® and AMBER CREST®.

Sun World, one of the United States’ leading producers and marketers of fresh fruit, operates one of the world’s largest table grape and stonefruit breeding programs. Since its inception in the mid-1970s, the Company’s Research & Development Center has released more than 55 new varieties with improved flavor, size, color, shelf-life and extended seasonality. In addition to production on its own California vineyards and orchards, Sun World and/or its licensees grow these proprietary varieties in North America, Europe, South America, Australia, the Middle East, and South Africa.

Sun World International (www.sun-world.com, www.sunworldfruit.com) is a leading innovator in the research, production, distribution and promotion of fresh produce. It maintains integrated agricultural operations throughout central and southeastern California and licensing offices in South Africa, Australia, Europe and Chile.

Contact:
Cathy Koob
Sun World International LLC
P. O. Box 1028
52-200 Industrial Way
Coachella, CA 92236
+1 (760) 398-9459
+1 (760) 398-9413 (fax)

Publication date: 4/12/2007

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