Articles
Wild Vaccinium berry crops for sustainable northern agriculture
Article number
1440_58
Pages
421 – 426
Language
English
Abstract
The berry crop in the genus Vaccinium L. is a rich source of antioxidant metabolites with proven benefits for human health.
Wild blueberry (Vaccinium spp.
L.), lingonberry (V. vitis-idaea L.), and cranberry (V. macrocarpon Ait.) are native to North America.
Wild berry germplasm and wild-cultivated hybrids of this genus have tremendous potential, not only as genetic resources for a changing environment but also for commercial cultivation and community food production.
Innovative technologies for germplasm conservation and screening are of significant importance in promoting sustainable crop production and biodiversity preservation.
The current research aims at developing innovative, efficient, and cost effective technologies for screening, propagation, conservation, and production of wild berry crops, cultivars, and hybrids for cool northern climates.
In vitro techniques including bioreactor micropropagation and somatic embryogenesis are being applied along with molecular techniques and conventional breeding toward improving adaptability in the North, pest resistance, antioxidant properties, and winter hardiness.
Early results suggest that true-to-type tissue culture plants show increased vegetative growth, rhizome production, berry yield, and antioxidant activity compared with conventionally cutting propagated plants that might be due to epigenetic variation.
In addition, our research shows that optimum soil pH and macronutrients are of significant importance for wild berry propagation.
We have identified promising pest resistant/tolerant lingonberry and blueberry hybrids and wild cranberry clones with high bioactive compound content which could be valuable resources for sustainable northern agriculture.
We have also identified potential insect pest threats to northern Vaccinium crops, based on database records, field surveys, and species distribution model predictions.
We are continuing to evaluate the selected plant responses to major pests and mycorrhizae.
Wild blueberry (Vaccinium spp.
L.), lingonberry (V. vitis-idaea L.), and cranberry (V. macrocarpon Ait.) are native to North America.
Wild berry germplasm and wild-cultivated hybrids of this genus have tremendous potential, not only as genetic resources for a changing environment but also for commercial cultivation and community food production.
Innovative technologies for germplasm conservation and screening are of significant importance in promoting sustainable crop production and biodiversity preservation.
The current research aims at developing innovative, efficient, and cost effective technologies for screening, propagation, conservation, and production of wild berry crops, cultivars, and hybrids for cool northern climates.
In vitro techniques including bioreactor micropropagation and somatic embryogenesis are being applied along with molecular techniques and conventional breeding toward improving adaptability in the North, pest resistance, antioxidant properties, and winter hardiness.
Early results suggest that true-to-type tissue culture plants show increased vegetative growth, rhizome production, berry yield, and antioxidant activity compared with conventionally cutting propagated plants that might be due to epigenetic variation.
In addition, our research shows that optimum soil pH and macronutrients are of significant importance for wild berry propagation.
We have identified promising pest resistant/tolerant lingonberry and blueberry hybrids and wild cranberry clones with high bioactive compound content which could be valuable resources for sustainable northern agriculture.
We have also identified potential insect pest threats to northern Vaccinium crops, based on database records, field surveys, and species distribution model predictions.
We are continuing to evaluate the selected plant responses to major pests and mycorrhizae.
Publication
Authors
S.C. Debnath, D. McKenzie, L. Jewell, S. McCann, B. Amyotte, M. Sharifi, C. Moffat, K. Ross, R.R. Burlakoti, M. Franklin, D. Huber, A. Penno, Y. Siow, O. Molina
Keywords
epigenetics, germplasm, micropropagation, mycorrhizae, pest tolerance, propagation
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