Articles
SOME PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN BLUEBERRY BREEDING
Article number
346_8
Pages
63 – 71
Language
Abstract
Improved varieties developed through breeding have greatly contributed to the success of the cultivated blueberry industry.
Progress in breeding for higher yields has been hampered by the fact that clones are evaluated in small plots where conditions favor cross-pollination but are expected to perform well in large plantations where only one or a few clones are present and cross-pollination is much less prevalent.
Interspecific crosses with high potential utility in blueberry breeding include Vaccinium corymbosum x V. angustifolium, V. corymbosum x V. darrowi, V. corymbosum x V. ashei, and V. ashei x V. constablaei. Intersectional crosses that may give useful results include V. corymbosum x V. uliginosum and V. corymbosum x V. arboreum. Major genes have not been widely exploited in blueberry breeding but offer untapped possibilities, It is important that only varieties producing good-flavored berries be released and planted so that the blueberry will increasingly be regarded as a highly desirable fruit by consumers.
Progress in breeding for higher yields has been hampered by the fact that clones are evaluated in small plots where conditions favor cross-pollination but are expected to perform well in large plantations where only one or a few clones are present and cross-pollination is much less prevalent.
Interspecific crosses with high potential utility in blueberry breeding include Vaccinium corymbosum x V. angustifolium, V. corymbosum x V. darrowi, V. corymbosum x V. ashei, and V. ashei x V. constablaei. Intersectional crosses that may give useful results include V. corymbosum x V. uliginosum and V. corymbosum x V. arboreum. Major genes have not been widely exploited in blueberry breeding but offer untapped possibilities, It is important that only varieties producing good-flavored berries be released and planted so that the blueberry will increasingly be regarded as a highly desirable fruit by consumers.
Publication
Authors
P.M. Lyrene
Keywords
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