Cream of the crop | Breeding sour, native grapes that survive
-45 C temperatures with quality fruit is key to commercial
production A University of Saskatchewan researcher is convinced
quality grapes can be grown on the Prairies. Tyler Kaban, who
has been breeding grapes for 12 years, said fruit research is
challenging, requiring generations of specialization to achieve
desired quality. “It is a lifetime of work. I’m confident that
it’s the foundation work that can be built upon,” he said as he
inspected grape seedlings after a night of heavy rain. “Somebody
younger will have to pick it up from me someday and continue
on.” A recently completed masters degree at the U of S related
to breeding grapes has grown into a research technician’s job
with the university’s fruit program, which has allowed Kaban
time to continue working on his grape research. Several plots at
the university’s Horticulture Field Lab in Saskatoon are
dedicated to a nursery of grape seedlings and established vines.
The research orchard also