ISHS Acta Horticulturae 715: VIII International Symposium on Vaccinium Culture
BLUEBERRY SELECTION IN SW SPAIN |
| Authors: | B. Valdés, R. Parra, Z. Diaz Lifante |
| Keywords: | morphological characterization, fruit set, phenology, Vaccinium |
| Abstract:
Morphological characters, flowering and fruiting phenology and fruit set were studied in 38 plants pre-selected from a hybrid progeny grown in SW Spain (Huelva province) from seeds produce in USA by open pollination of highbush and rabbiteye blueberry commercial cultivars. Plants of 14 American southern highbush and rabbiteye commercial cultivars grown in the same area were also studied for comparison. Morphological characters separated rabbiteye cultivars from southern highbush. Southern highbush could not be separated from most plants of the hybrid progeny, which seems to indicate a close genetic relationship. Plants of the hybrid progeny could not be clearly separated from each other, although some particular characters, such as pedicel length and pedicel scar size could be used to distinguish some particular plants. Flowering and fruiting phenology was rather variable, and clearly depended on temperature variations during the course of the year. The high fruit set of several plants, together with their relatively late flowering and early fruit production indicate that at least some of the hybrid progeny could be used to select new commercial cultivars adapted to the climatic conditions of SW Spain and appropriate to compete in C Europe markets. | |
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