Minnesota 78
Encyclopedia
Minnesota 78 is an old selection of grapevine, developed at the University of Minnesota
, United States
. It was extensively used in breeding by Elmer Swenson
, with its Vitis riparia
background providing a degree of adaptation to the harsh climate of the upper Midwest.
Although recorded as a cross of Beta
by Witt, many have doubted this pedigree, and Swenson suggested that the male parent may be Jessica, a cross of Vitis labrusca
by a variety of Vitis aestivalis
. Because Witt appears to have been lost, prcluding genetic testing, the truth may never be known.
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It was extensively used in breeding by Elmer Swenson
Elmer Swenson
Elmer Swenson was a pioneering grape breeder who introduced a number of new cultivars, effectively revolutionizing grape growing in the Upper Midwest of the United States and other cold and short-seasoned regions....
, with its Vitis riparia
Vitis riparia
Vitis riparia Michx, also commonly known as River Bank Grape or Frost Grape, is a native American climbing or trailing vine, widely distributed from Quebec to Texas, and Montana to New England. It is long-lived and capable of reaching into the upper canopy of the tallest trees...
background providing a degree of adaptation to the harsh climate of the upper Midwest.
Although recorded as a cross of Beta
Beta (grape)
Beta is a winter-hardy variety of North American grape derived from a cross of the Vitis labrusca-based cultivar Concord and a selection of Vitis riparia, the wild riverbank grape, called Carver). It is an extremely cold-hardy grape that is self-fertile. This variety is grown successfully in...
by Witt, many have doubted this pedigree, and Swenson suggested that the male parent may be Jessica, a cross of Vitis labrusca
Vitis labrusca
Vitis labrusca is a species of grapevines belonging to the Vitis genus in the flowering plant family Vitaceae. The vines are native to the eastern United States and are the source of many grape cultivars, including Catawba and Concord grapes, and many hybrid grape varieties such as Agawam,...
by a variety of Vitis aestivalis
Vitis aestivalis
Vitis aestivalis is a species of grape native to eastern North America from southern Ontario east to Vermont, west to Oklahoma, and south to Florida and Texas. It is a vigorous vine, growing to 10 m or more high in trees...
. Because Witt appears to have been lost, prcluding genetic testing, the truth may never be known.