'O42-21-5’, a Potential Early Ripening Breeding Selection for Florida Muscadine Grape Industry

‘O42-21-5’ is a muscadine hybrid grape from the open pollination of ‘O26-1-2’ (‘Supreme’ x ‘Ison’, 1998) in 2005. The seedling was planted out in 2007. It was noticed in 2012 for its early and uniform ripening. Its horticultural characteristics were further evaluated since 2013. This selection is self-fertile, produce about 60 pounds of fruits per vine, with high dry scar rate, low fruit ripening rot, and uniform fruit ripening. Its dark red fruits ripen in the middle of August at Tallahassee, FL, about 2 to 3 weeks earlier than most of the table muscadine grapes. The average fruit weight is 11.2 g, sugar content (SSC) is 17.2%, with a pleasant, crunchy, and sweet taste.