In celebration of National Blueberry Month, we are highlighting Gabe Olson-Jensen, a Ph.D. student at the U. Advised by Matt Clark, Olson-Jensen is dedicated to investigating germplasm and PH tolerance traits in blueberries.
His current work expands upon foundational 1990s research by Chad Finn, a former graduate assistant for Jim Luby who passed away in 2019. Finn was a key contributor to the University’s blueberry breeding program. Established in 1967, the program has long focused on developing high-quality, large-fruited, and cold-hardy "half-high" cultivars. While Finn successfully used in-vitro methods to uncover initial details about blueberry PH tolerance traits, Olson-Jensen is leveraging modern sequencing technology to deepen our understanding.
Because blueberries generally prefer acidic environments, they struggle to thrive in Minnesota’s native alkaline soil, which demands substantial soil mending from local growers. Olson-Jensen aims to isolate and comprehend the specific genetics driving the PH tolerance trait that Finn previously identified. Unlocking these genetic understandings would allow for the development of blueberry varieties that flourish without intensive soil mending, mirroring the environmental sustainability of other small fruits. This research directly supports the U’s legacy of breeding climate-adapted, hardy, and lower-input cultivars, offering a massive advantage to both commercial and home growers.
We wish him the best of luck as he travels to present his preliminary discoveries at the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) Annual Conference in early August, and we eagerly await his future breakthroughs!