ISHS Acta Horticulturae 810: IX International Vaccinium Symposium
POTENTIAL NEW BLUEBERRY CULTIVARS FOR THE GULF COAST REGION OF THE U.S. |
| Authors: | S.J. Stringer, A.D. Draper, J.M. Spiers, D.A. Marshall |
| Keywords: | rabbiteye blueberry, southern highbush blueberry, fruit breeding |
| Abstract:
Three elite rabbiteye (Vaccinium asheii) and one southern highbush (V. corymbosum) blueberry selections are being developed for release to nurserymen for propagation and distribution to growers in the Gulf Coast region of the U.S. Among the new rabbiteye blueberries, wild accessions contribute to the parentage and as a result, new genes are being infused into rabbiteye blueberry cultivars. One elite selection, MS 706, is a productive rabbiteye blueberry selection that will be recommended only for trial plantings in the more extreme coastal regions, and will provide growers with a new early ripening rabbiteye blueberry cultivar that will enhance their potential to exploit the lucrative early berry market. Another, MS 271, will be recommended for trial plantings by growers wishing to expand into the baking segment of the processing industry which demands a smaller sized berry than those typically produced by current rabbiteye blueberry cultivars. Still another rabbiteye blueberry selection, MS 454 possesses the vigor, high production potential, and good fruit quality required for early- to mid-season fresh and processing blueberries. MS 812, a relatively low-chilling southern highbush selection, is vigorous, productive and has the fruit quality and earliness needed for early, fresh berry market production. | |
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