Fertile Intersectional F1 Hybrids of 4x Andean Blueberry (Vaccinium meridionale) and 4x American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)

Authors: Ehlenfeldt, Mark; Polashock, James; VORSA, NICHOLI - Rutgers University; Zalapa, Juan; DE LA TORRE, FERNANDO - University Of Wisconsin; LUTEYN, JAMES - Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/7/2022
Publication Date: 1/19/2023
Citation: Ehlenfeldt, M.K., Polashock, J.J., Vorsa, N., Zalapa, J.E., De La Torre, F., Luteyn, J.L. 2023. Fertile Intersectional F1 Hybrids of 4x Andean Blueberry (Vaccinium meridionale) and 4x American Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon). HortScience. 58(2):234-239. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI16824-22.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI16824-22

Interpretive Summary: The South American blueberry species V. meridionale has shown value as a bridge between taxonomic sections and ploidies in Vaccinium as either as a first-generation or second-generation parent. Tetraploid V. meridionale has hybridized successfully with 4x V. macrocarpon (cranberry). The first-generation hybrids with 4x cranberry produce strong plants with notable vigor. First generation hybrids have successfully selfed, sibbed, and backcrossed to the parent species. These hybrids have the potential to significantly enlarge the genepool of cranberry. It appears that these allotetraploid hybrids may allow gene movement among diverse Vaccinium sections at the 4x level. Further test-crosses are being made to evaluate the range of crossability of 4x V. meridionale and the hybrid V. meridionale allotetraploids with other taxonomic sections of Ericaceae. This information will be of values to breeders of blueberry, cranberry, and lingonberry.

Technical Abstract: The blueberry species V. meridionale (Andean blueberry) has shown value as a bridge between diverse species in Vaccinium as either as a first-generation or second-generation parent. Tetraploid V. meridionale has hybridized successfully with diploid and tetraploid species of blueberry, tetraploid cranberry and diploid lingonberry. The first-generation hybrids with tetraploid blueberry and tetraploid cranberry both produce strong plants with notable vigor. First generation hybrids in each case, have successfully backcrossed to their respective parent species. It appears that these varied tetraploid hybrids may allow gene movement among these diverse sections at the tetraploid level. Further test-crosses are being made to evaluate the range of crossability of 4x V. meridionale and the hybrid V. meridionale tetraploids with other species of Vaccinium. This information will be of values to breeders of blueberry, cranberry, and lingonberry.