|
Contacts: David Stern: 1-315-587-9787 or Dr. Gayle
Volk: 1-970-495-3205
2.14.06 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BIG NEWS
FOR GARLIC - IN THE FIELD, AT THE LAB, AND ON THE TABLE
A new analysis
of environmental effects on garlic types has been made
possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
Program and The Garlic Seed Foundation. The project
aims to increase our knowledge of garlic diversity,
culinary enjoyment, and profitability for sustainable
garlic growers.
Key Project
Leader and participating grower, David Stern, explains:
"Most consumers and many vegetable farmers don't realize
that there is more than one type of garlic. And even
though there are more than 5,000 garlic farmers in the
U.S., we do not yet know which varieties grow best in
each region."
2003 DNA
analysis concluded that while there are many cultivars
of garlic, they can be classified into 10 major types
based on their genetic diversity; these shall be grown
in 5 northeast locations (ME, VT, PA, MD, NY) and 6
national sites (NV, MN, AR, WA, KY, CO). This 2 year
project will look at the relationship between the garlic
types and the climates, altitudes, soils, and cultural
differences to determine yield and quality potential
as well as culinary / medicinal properties.
If botany's
your interest, this research is going to answer many
questions about the relationships between each garlic
types and environmental differences across the U.S.
Through this research and the knowledge it gives us,
we will increase the yield and quality and establish
regional characteristics of garlic produced by market
gardeners and small to medium scale farms.
A digital
press kit, research findings, photos, biographies (and
delicious garlic recipes) are shared with the public
online: www.bignewsforgarlic.com
###
|
