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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Poplarville, Mississippi » Southern Horticultural Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #71326
Title: COMPARISON OF THREE NEW SOUTHERN HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY CULTIVARS (VACCINIUM HYBRIDS, MOSTLY CORYMBOSUM)

Author
item Magee, James
item Smith, Barbara
item Gupton, Creighton
item Spiers, James

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/12/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The southern highbush cultivars 'Jubilee', 'Magnolia' and 'Pearl River' released in 1994 by the USDA were compared in 1995 with 'Premier' and 'Climax', two widely planted rabbiteye (V. ashei) cultivars, on the basis of flowering and harvest dates, yield, and physical and chemical quality parameters. The southern highbush cultivars flowered later and ripened at least one week before 'Climax', one of the earliest rabbiteyes. 'Pearl River' berries had less waxy "bloom" and appeared almost black when fully ripe; they were lower in anthocyanins than the other cultivars. 'Premier' was lower in TA and higher in sugars than the southern highbush cultivars. Based on quality factors used in this study, the southern highbush cultivars compared acceptably with the rabbiteye cultivars. [Hard freezes (-8.3 deg C) 11 and 12 Mar 96, killed an estimated 75% and 90% of 'Premier' and 'Climax' blooms respectively. Because of their bloom stages, the three esouthern highbush cultivars suffered little damage and appear to be developing normally 30 Mar 96.