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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Genetic Improvement for Fruits & Vegetables Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #387427
Research Project: Genetic Improvement of Blueberry and Cranberry Through Breeding and Development/Utilization of Genomic Resources

Location: Genetic Improvement for Fruits & Vegetables Laboratory

Title: Andean blueberry (v. meridionale swartz) hybrids with 4x highbush blueberry

Author
item Ehlenfeldt, Mark
item Polashock, James
item LUTEYN, JAMES - New York Botanical Garden

Submitted to: Acta Horticulture Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/9/2022
Publication Date: 1/31/2023
Citation: Ehlenfeldt, M.K., Polashock, J.J., Luteyn, J.L. 2023. Andean blueberry (v. meridionale swartz) hybrids with 4x highbush blueberry. Acta Horticulture Proceedings. 1357:137-143. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2023.1357.20.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2023.1357.20

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The tetraploid blueberry species V. meridionale Swartz (Andean blueberry) was successfully hybridized with 2x and 4x section Cyanococcus (blueberry) species. First-generation hybrids with 2x blueberry produced numerous triploids, all essentially sterile. In contrast, first-generation hybrids with 4x blueberry selections are both notably vigorous and significantly pollen fertile. The 4x F1 hybrids are variable as far as branching structure, dormancy, prolificacy, fruit wax, etc.; however, most appear to be semi-evergreen, with small, darkish fruit. Backcrosses to 4x highbush using the F1s as females have produced offspring morphologically indistinguishable from 4x highbush at the seedling stage. The F1 hybrids appear to have potential similar to the early 4x V. corymbosum – V. darrowii hybrids that gave rise to southern highbush cultivars.