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Abstract
Irregular germination and delayed emergence of blueberry, strawberry, blackberry and raspberry seedlings have been noted by various investigators. Seed treatments such as afterripening (1) and acid scarification of strawberry seed (2) improved rapidity of germination, but neither treatment fully overcame the delay in seed germination. In a study with blueberry seed, after-ripening did not improve germination (2). Sporadic germination and delayed emergence of seedlings complicates a breeding program when uniform size of seedlings is desired.
Abstract
Chromosome pairing in a derived decaploid, 2n=10×=120, (from a colchicine-treated, sterile pentaploid hybrid of Vaccinium ashei Reade × V. corymbosum L.) was chiefly bivalent. Multivalent associations were present in 5 of 16 cells scored at metaphase I, but only 23 chromosomes of the 1,920 observed were involved in multiple pairing. Most of the cells at anaphase I (33 of 35 observed) contained lagging chromosomes which appeared to be non-disjoined bivalents rather than univalents. The decaploid was selfed and crossed with hexaploid, tetraploid, and diploid species. The mean number of seedlings produced per flower pollinated for each ploidy level was low, ranging from 0.04 to 0.09. The mean seedling number produced per self-pollinated flower was considerably higher, 0.92. The percent of pollen which stained in propionocarmine was 8% for the pentaploid parent, 62% for the derived decaploid and 99% for plants of V. ashei and V. corymbosum used as standards for comparison.
Abstract
Three blueberry progenies from crosses of large-fruited X large-fruited parents were significantly larger in fruit size than 3 progenies from crosses of large-fruited X small-fruited parents. Mean fruit sizes of the 3 large-fruited X small-fruited populations were equal to the fruit size of the smaller fruited parents in each cross, indicating that small fruit size is a dominant character. Large fruit size is not linked with low yield.
Abstract
Studies were conducted on the feasibility of shortening the evaluation period of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) selections by propagating by softwood cuttings taken from each of the single-plant selections at the time of fruit evaluation row the following spring. Softwood cuttings were taken from a single plant of 5 early, 5 midseason, and 5 late ripening selections in June, July, and August. July cuttings (60%) rooted better than June (37%) and August (31%) cuttings. Early selections (34%) rooted about the same as midseason (32%) and late (35%) selections. The earlier the cuttings were potted, the larger the root system they developed before frost when grown in an unheated greenhouse. None of the rooted cuttings potted 30 Sept, developed root systems large enough to survive field planting. Supplemental heat and light after potting increased root growth of plants potted 25 Aug. but not those potted 10 Sept. Eighty percent of the plants transplanted to the field survived.
Abstract
Iron chlorosis often develops in blueberries (Vaccinium) grown on soils with a pH above 5.2. Seedlings of 4 blueberry intra- and interspecific progenies, involving V. ashei, V. corymbosum, and V. darrowii, were tested for Fe-efficiency (use of Fe) by growing them in nutrient solutions containing different concentrations of CaCO3 to vary the pH. Plants received Fe during the first 4 harvests (up to 75 days) but received no Fe during the subsequent 2 harvests. The Fe supply for plant growth in the last 2 harvests was limited to that available in the roots. T-65 × US 67 blueberry plants [a 3-species hybrid of V. ashei × (V.darrowii × V. corymbosum)] lowered the pH of the nutrient solution by releasing H+ from their roots which freed Fe from root accumulations and made it available for plant use. ‘Climax’ × T-151 (V. ashei × V. ashei) progeny did not do this. Seedlings of V. corymbosum and those from a cross of V. corymbosum with V. darrowii were intermediate in their response.
Abstract
‘Spartan’ highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corybosum L.) is a new cultivar resulting from the cooperative efforts of Michigan grower Arthur Elliott, the Michigan Blueberry Grower’s Association, and the Science and Education Administration, of USDA.
Abstract
‘Patriot’ a new hardy blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum L., originated in the cooperative blueberry breeding program of the Maine Life Sciences and Agriculture Experiment Station and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It has performed well at Jonesboro, Maine, Maryland, North Carolina, and Oregon. The name ‘Patriot’ was assigned in recognition of the U.S. Bicentennial.
Abstract
‘Georgiagem’, a new low-chilling cultivar. is the first highbush blueberry (Vacciniwn corymbosum L.) cultivar developed from the cooperative blueberry breeding program of the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station and the USDA. Although ‘Georgiagem’ originated mostly from tetraploid highbush blueberry parentage, it obtained adaptation to the southern U.S. environment from the diploid species, V. darrowi, selected from the wild in Florida (2). ‘Georgiagem’ is early ripening, moderately productive, and has fruit of medium size with good color, small stem scar, firmness, and pleasant flavor.
Abstract
‘Brightwell’ rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade) is a new cultivar originating from the cooperative blueberry breeding program of the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Stations and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is productive, early ripening, and has medium-size fruit with excellent color, stem scar, firmness, and pleasant flavor. ‘Brightwell’ is intended for those areas of the southern United States where rabbiteye blueberries are successfully grown. This cultivar is named in honor of W.T. Brightwell who bred rabbiteye blueberries for over 30 years at the Coastal Plain Experiment Station, Tifton, Ga. He is known for the many excellent cultivars that he and his cooperators originated.
Abstract
‘Baldwin’ rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade) is a new cultivar originating from the cooperative blueberry breeding program of the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Stations and the USDA. It is a very productive, late-ripening cultivar with good flavor and firm, dark-blue fruit. Bacause of its lengthy ripening period ‘Baldwin’ is intended primarily for pick-your-own and backyard planting in areas of the southern United States where rabbiteye blueberries are grown successfully. ‘Baldwin’ is named in honor of Abraham Baldwin, Yale graduate, U.S. Senator, and founder and first president of the Univ. of Georgia,.