Articles
Domestication of European blueberries as a new berry crop in Denmark
Article number
1440_54
Pages
391 – 398
Language
English
Abstract
The exploitation of wild berries of European blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) is generally challenged by erratic and low fruit set per ha, high harvest costs, lack of mechanization and difficult logistics, together limiting the supply to the market.
To overcome these barriers we initiated a process of domestication of European blueberries with the aim to establish a new Danish berry orchard production adapted to mechanized harvest.
The present paper provides an overview of some of the research approaches and selected results from the first 10 years of the domestication research.
We initially collected a broad range of genotypes from 59 different Danish wild populations and established over 100 genotypes in a common garden experimental trial.
Over a 10 year period, aspects of plant growth, flowering, and berry yield and quality were recorded.
A large genetic variation between genotypes in important aspects for future successful cultivation and berry production was documented.
We identified tall and healthy genotypes adapted to mechanical harvesting with high berry yields based on genotypes with mid to late flowering time and high flowering capacity.
Furthermore, a large genetic variation was found in berry quality, i.e., sugar, acidity, aroma, anthocyanins and polyphenols, which may be exploited for optimal taste and content of bioactive compounds in berries.
Using a range of criteria, we aim to select five to seven genotypes for testing in cultivar trials.
Such cultivars are targeted towards either clonal berry production in orchards or as a clonal seed source for providing seedlings of superior genetic background for orchards, depending on cost structure.
We also developed efficient and low cost soft wood cuttings propagation methods and knowledge on seed technology and germination.
A liquid fertilizer with optimal nutrient composition and concentration was developed and allowed rapid production of transplants for establishing future orchards.
To overcome these barriers we initiated a process of domestication of European blueberries with the aim to establish a new Danish berry orchard production adapted to mechanized harvest.
The present paper provides an overview of some of the research approaches and selected results from the first 10 years of the domestication research.
We initially collected a broad range of genotypes from 59 different Danish wild populations and established over 100 genotypes in a common garden experimental trial.
Over a 10 year period, aspects of plant growth, flowering, and berry yield and quality were recorded.
A large genetic variation between genotypes in important aspects for future successful cultivation and berry production was documented.
We identified tall and healthy genotypes adapted to mechanical harvesting with high berry yields based on genotypes with mid to late flowering time and high flowering capacity.
Furthermore, a large genetic variation was found in berry quality, i.e., sugar, acidity, aroma, anthocyanins and polyphenols, which may be exploited for optimal taste and content of bioactive compounds in berries.
Using a range of criteria, we aim to select five to seven genotypes for testing in cultivar trials.
Such cultivars are targeted towards either clonal berry production in orchards or as a clonal seed source for providing seedlings of superior genetic background for orchards, depending on cost structure.
We also developed efficient and low cost soft wood cuttings propagation methods and knowledge on seed technology and germination.
A liquid fertilizer with optimal nutrient composition and concentration was developed and allowed rapid production of transplants for establishing future orchards.
Publication
Authors
M. Jensen, A. Petridis
Keywords
European blueberry, cultivar development, genetic variation, clonal trials, propagation, fertilizer composition, Vaccinium myrtillus
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