BERRY-BEARING BUSH GETS TRYOUT IN N.M.

Byline: STACI MATLOCK

Sea berry to be showcased during field day at NMSU

By Staci Matlock

The New Mexican

An agriculture expert says sea berry, an ornamental bush both beautiful and useful, could be the next big thing in New Mexico landscaping.

But time will tell if the Russian import becomes a regular and welcome addition to the state's yards and gardens or falls out of favor like the Siberian elm, a fast-growing, seed-spreading tree introduced decades ago that many now see as a nuisance whose invasive roots can clog sewer lines.

The sea berry, also known as sea buckthorn, will be showcased Wednesday during the annual field day at New Mexico State University's Los Lunas Agricultural Center.

Ron Walser, the center's fruit specialist, was looking for multiple-use plants when the sea buckthorn caught his eye. He usually works with fruit-bearing trees, not ornamental ones. Still, the sea buckthorn offered bright-colored orange and yellow berries packed with vitamins and antioxidants.

Oil from the berries has a variety of medicinal uses, Walser said. Plus, the shrub's silver foliage is nice to look at, he said. "They form a beautiful shrub and would make a great hedge."

Walser was intrigued enough to order five varieties in 2007 and grow them at the center. "This was the first year they bore fruit," Walser said. "The berries have a sort of pineapplish taste, very unique, when juiced. They're one of the highest berries in antioxidants and vitamins, even higher than blueberries and blackberries."

The berries are high in vitamins A, C, E, some B vitamins and carotenes. In Europe and Russia, the juice is mixed with other fruit juices to make it more palatable.

Traditional medicinal uses of sea buckthorn oil are extensive. Russia began clinical tests on the plant's medicinal uses during the 1950s, according to NMSU. Sea-berry oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties and has been used to regenerate damaged skin. Studies also have shown it's effective for repairing damaged mucous membranes in the stomach and intestines.

So far, Walser said, no pests seem to bother the sea berry. It is drought tolerant and grows well in temperate to cold climates.

Walser has found two drawbacks to the plant. Its small berries can be hard to pluck off the branches. The shrub also sends out suckers that can take over a garden. "It does like to spread," Walser said.

At least one male sea buckthorn is needed to pollinate about every eight female plants, Walser said.

Walser said he is always looking for new edible plants. "When I see something interesting, I'll put it in and try it." He currently oversees growing tests of 25 varieties of peaches. He's also testing varieties of plums, cherries, pawpaws, figs and pomegranates.

During the field day, visitors will be able to tour the vegetable, fruit and berry orchard with Walser at 9, 10 and 11 a.m. Visitors can learn about other research under way at the center.

Demonstrations will deal with such topics as the production of wine grapes, insect-control trials and small-farm integrated pest management.

Contact Staci Matlock

at 986-3055 or [e-mail].