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2.51 and 2.54 pg/2C, respectively. Table 2. DNA content and calculated ploidy levels of selected standards, section Hemimyrtillus species, and section Hemimyrtillus × Vaccinium corymbosum hybrids. Fertility and crossing of the parents Female
Abstract
Ericoid mycorrhizae were measured on roots of wild and cultivated highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) from 7 locations in southeastern North Carolina over 4 sampling dates. An adequate clearing and staining procedure was developed specifically for observing endomycorrhizae in blueberry roots. Abundant mycorrhizae were found in wild blueberry plants, but few mycorrhizae were noted in cultivated plants. Phosphorus levels were lower in the wild than in the cultivated blueberry soils at most locations.
Abstract
Percent fruit set, fruit size, total seeds/berry, developed seeds/berry, percent developed seeds/berry, and percent pollen stainability were examined in 4x × 5x and 5x × 4x progenies derived from Vaccinium ashei Reade/V. corymbosum L. pentaploid hybrids backcrossed to V. corymbosum. All fertility parameters indicated that the BC1 progenies were more fertile than the pentaploid hybrids. Pollen stainability indicated that the BC1 derivatives were less fertile than the parental species. All fertility parameters were significantly and negatively correlated with chromosome number, which ranged from the tetraploid (2n = 4x = 48) to pentaploid (2n = 5x = 60) levels within these progenies.
A tetraploid blueberry population resulting from a cross of US 75 {a tetraploid hybrid of Fla 4B [a selection of Vaccinium darrowi Camp (2n = 2x = 24) × `Bluecrop' [(V. corymbosum L. (2n = 4x = 48)]} × `Bluetta' (4x) was used to generate a genetic linkage map of US 75 by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. One hundred and forty markers unique for Fla 4B that segregated 1:1 in the population were mapped into 29 linkage groups that cover a total genetic distance of 1288.2 cM, with a range of 1.6 to 33.9 cM between adjacent markers. The map is essentially of V. darrowi because US 75 was produced via a 2n gamete from Fla 4B and only unique markers for Fla 4B were used. Therefore, all the chromosomes of V. darrowi could be represented in the map.
The effects of pollination treatments on fruit set and five berry characteristics [mass, diameter, number of apparently viable seeds (well-developed, plump with dark seed coat), total seed number (includes apparently viable and partially developed seeds), and harvest date] were examined on three highbush blueberry cultivars. Pollination treatments included unpollinated, open pollinated, emasculated, and three hand pollinations that used pollen from the same flower, from the same cultivar, or from a different cultivar. Berries matured earliest and were smallest with the most apparently viable seeds in `Northland', `Patriot' had the greatest fruit set and smallest seed number, and `Bluecrop' matured the latest. Fruit set was greater, berry size larger, seed number smaller, and maturation later in 1990 than 1991. For all three cultivars, berries were generally smallest, latest maturing, and had the fewest seeds when pollination was prevented and were largest with the most seeds and earliest maturing in open visitation. Emasculation resulted in berries similar to those from unpollinated flowers. For berry characteristics, cross-pollination was of benefit for `Patriot' and possibly `Northland' but not `Bluecrop'. Thus, commercial highbush blueberry planting designs must be based on the pollination requirements of the particular cultivar. `Northland' berries almost always had seeds, while `Patriot' showed high levels and `Bluecrop' low levels of parthenocarpy.
Abstract
Seed counts from self- and cross-pollinated highbush blueberry cultivars suggested that fertility in both mating systems is under similar genetic control. Viable seed set following selfing and outcrossing was inversely correlated with zygotic levels of inbreeding, and percentage of seed abortion in both crosses showed a positive association with zygotic F values. Among six genotypes, cross- and self-fertility were highly correlated. Fluorescent microscopy revealed no differences in the frequency of self and foreign pollen tube growth into ovules. Variation in self- and cross-fertility among these cultivars was attributed to differences in zygotic levels of homozygosity and cumulative expression of recessive mutations that promote seed abortion.
Abstract
Field applications of N greater than 34 kg/ha to highbush blueberry plants on an Atsion sand did not result in increased fruit production. Application of more than 64 kg N/ha may be detrimental to blueberry production. The optimum N content in the median leaves sampled one month after harvest of lateral shoots averaged 1.65% N over a 5 year period. A biennial bearing pattern occurred consistently at each of N fertilizer levels. Leaf N levels tended to be lower during years of high production than during years of low fruit production. Ca levels in leaf tissue were found to be below the sufficiency level during low production years when leaf N was high and above the sufficiency level in high production years when leaf N was lower.
The antioxidant properties of blueberries have been examined only in ripe fruit, although fruit of different maturities are used in processed food products. In this study, highbush blueberry cultivars Bergitta, Bluegold, and Nelson highbush blueberry fruit at different stages of ripeness were examined to characterize differences in oxygen radical absorbing capacity (ORAC) and the phenolic components responsible for ORAC. Underripe fruit at different stages of maturity were also stored at 20 °C for up to 8 days to assess changes in ORAC and phenolic content. Anthocyanin content was substantially higher in fruit of more advanced stages of ripeness. In contrast, the phenolic content and ORAC were lower in the riper fruit. Anthocyanins continued to form during storage, although rate of pigment formation declined after about 4 days. Less anthocyanin pigment was formed in the less ripe fruit. After 8 days of storage, the anthocyanin content of fruit harvested 5% to 50% or 50% to 95% blue exceeded that of ripe fruit. Up to 60% of the total phenolic content could be accounted for by anthocyanins. ORAC was positively correlated with total phenolic content (R 2 = 0.78), but not with anthocyanin content.
Abstract
The 3-monoarabinosides and 3-monogalactosides of delphinidin (Dp), petunidin (Pt), malvidin (Mv), and peonidin (Pn) as well as small amounts of the 3-monoglucosides of Dp, Pt, Mv, Pn, and cyanidin (Cy) were isolated from ripe blueberry fruit, variety ‘Croatan’. Small amounts of the 3-monogalactoside of Cy were present also. None of these 14 anthocyanins (Acy) were acylated. The major Acy were (in descending order): Mv-3-galactose, Dp-3-galactose, Dp-3-arabinose, Pt-3-galactose, Pt-3-arabinose and Mv-3-arabinose.
Abstract
Experiments utilizing both natural and artificial chilling conditions were conducted to evaluate chilling models for estimating rest completion of highbush blueberries. Temperatures of 1° and 12°C were effective in satisfying the rest requirement of blueberries, but were less effective than 6°. Thus, neither the Utah chill unit model nor the accumulated hours below 7.2° model are accurate, since the Utah model does not consider temperatures below 1.4°C as effective in chilling and the accumulated hours below 7.2° model does not consider temperatures above 7.2° as effective. A modification of the Utah model allowing each hour at 1° to contribute 0.5 chill units gave predictable results for highbush blueberries. Natural field chilling was more effective in satisfying rest requirements than artificial chilling in cold chambers.