Abstract:
Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) is usually propagated in commercial plantings by vine cuttings while it is propagated by seeds only for experimental purposes in breeding works (Greidanus et al., 1971; Bain, 1933; Chandler et al., 1947). Nevertheless, since shipping costs make vine supplying from USA highly expensive, it has been considered in Italy the possibility of propagating cranberry seeds.
Even though this method might be very slow in getting fruit production, it could at least avoid the risk of introducing from abroad undesired pests along with the stock such as viruses, insects, fungi, or weeds.
For this reason a preliminary test on cranberry seeds has been undertaken at our Institute to get some figures about the most suitable storage conditions.
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