CULTURE AND BREEDING OF HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRIES IN FINLAND

The first highbush blueberry plants imported into Finland were obtained by the Institute of Horticulture at Piikkiö in spring 1947. So far, over 20 varieties have been tested, but the results have not been sufficiently good to justify the commencement of commercial cultivation.
Even ‘Rancocas’ and ‘June’, which are clearly the most suitable varieties for cultivation, are too susceptible to frost damage and the canker caused by the fungus Fusicoccum putrefaciens Shear.

In order to develop varieties better suited to climatic conditions at northern latitudes, the highbush blueberry has been crossed with the bog blueberry, Vaccinium uliginosum L. The F₁ generation had reduced vigour, and poor winter hardiness, and productivity.
Back-crossing with highbush blueberries produced a number of promising individuals, in which resistance to frost damage and canker is superior to that of the highbush blueberry, but bush height, and the quantity and quality of the fruit yield are still satisfactory.
The results give reason to believe that it will eventually be possible to cultivate the highbush blueberry commercially in Finland.

Symposium on Vaccinium Culture in Europe

H. Hiirsalmi

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1977.61.12