scholarly journals Highbush Blueberry Cultivars Differ in the Relationship between Seed Number and Berry Weight during the Harvest Season

HortScience ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (10) ◽  
pp. 1728-1736
Author(s):  
Bernadine C. Strik ◽  
Amanda J. Vance
Keyword(s):  
Seed Set ◽  
Large Diameter ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Parthenocarpic Fruit ◽  
Seed Number ◽  
Berry Weight ◽  
Viable Seeds ◽  
Marketable Size ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Number Of Seeds

The relationship between individual berry weight and viable seed number of small- (<15 mm), medium- (15–19 mm), and large-diameter (>19 mm) berries was studied over 2 years in nine cultivars (Aurora, Bluecrop, Bluegold, Draper, Duke, Liberty, Legacy, Ozarkblue, and Reka) through their harvest seasons. Plants were grown with two different preplant amendment-mulch treatments, but this treatment had no effect on the variables measured, so data were pooled. The highest average seeds/berry was in ‘Bluecrop’ (55.5) and ‘Duke’ (50.0) and the lowest in ‘Bluegold’ (17.1), ‘Aurora’ (22.5), and ‘Liberty’ (23.5). Average berry weight over the fruiting season ranged from 1.79 and 1.80 g for ‘Liberty’ and ‘Reka’, respectively, to 2.30 and 2.44 g in ‘Ozarkblue’ and ‘Draper’, respectively. The average number of seeds/berry was higher in 2010 than in 2009 for all cultivars, ranging from 14% higher in ‘Reka’ to 96% higher in ‘Liberty’. The flowering period was earlier in 2010 than in 2009, but bloom was concentrated in 2009 (28 days) compared with 2010 (45 days), likely affecting pollinator success. In general, seeds/berry and berry weight declined through the harvest season. Some cultivars had a considerable difference in the number of seeds in large-sized than in small-sized berries (e.g., 89%, 107%, 108%, and 147% more seeds in ‘Aurora’, ‘Reka’, ‘Bluegold’, and ‘Liberty’, respectively), whereas others had relatively little difference (14% and 36% in ‘Draper’ and ‘Bluecrop’, respectively). There was a linear relationship between berry weight and viable seeds/berry. Cultivars did not differ in the berry weight per seed (slope of the line) between the 2 years, except for ‘Draper’ (only significant in 2009), ‘Legacy’, and ‘Reka’. ‘Bluegold’ had the greatest berry weight per seed and ‘Reka’ the lowest. The weakest relationship between berry weight and seed number was in ‘Draper’. Cultivars that produced parthenocarpic fruit of marketable size were ‘Aurora’, ‘Bluegold’, and ‘Liberty’. ‘Duke’, ‘Legacy’, ‘Reka’, and ‘Ozarkblue’ produced commercially acceptable fruit (0.75–1.0 g) with fewer than 7 seeds/berry. By contrast, some cultivars required a relatively large number of seeds to produce a berry including ‘Bluecrop’ (28–40 seeds), ‘Draper’ (15–23 seeds), and ‘Legacy’ in 2010 (20 seeds). The number of seeds per berry accounted for as much as 87% of the variability in berry weight indicating the importance of good pollination and seed set for berry weight and yield in these cultivars.

scholarly journals Interspecific and Intraspecific Pollination Effects in Rabbiteye and Southern Highbush Blueberry

HortScience ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 324-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Creighton L. Gupton ◽  
James M. Spiers
Keyword(s):  
Fruit Development ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Blue Ridge ◽  
Vaccinium Ashei ◽  
Berry Weight ◽  
Cape Fear ◽  
Southern Highbush ◽  
Number Of Seeds ◽  
Partial Diallel

To determine the effects of pollen source on blueberry production, we made a partial diallel set of crosses involving seven rabbiteye (Vaccinium ashei Reade) and seven southern highbush (SH; V. corymbosum L.) parents. Pollination of rabbiteye blueberry flowers with SH pollen reduced fruit set, seeds per berry, and berry weight and increased fruit development period (FDP) compared to pollination with rabbiteye pollen. Pollination of SH flowers with rabbiteye pollen resulted in about the same fruit set and FDP but fewer seeds per berry and slightly lower berry weight compared to intraspecific pollination. Self-pollination significantly decreased the number of seeds per berry and berry weight and increased FDP in SH. Pollination of rabbiteye and SH flowers with mixed pollen produced the same results as intraspecific pollination. Using `Tifblue' and `Baldwin' (rabbiteye) as the pollen parent significantly increased FDP in rabbiteye blueberry. Using `Georgiagem' and `Cape Fear' as pollen parents produced the longest FDP, and using `O'Neal' and `Gulfcoast' produced the shortest FDP in SH blueberry. The heaviest berries were produced by using `Blue Ridge', `O'Neal', and `Gulfcoast' (SH) as pollen parents on SH females. These results suggest that xenia possibly could be used to increase yield and reduce FDP in blueberry.

scholarly journals Effects of the Number of Seeds per Berry on Fruit Growth Characteristics, Especially on the Duration of Stage II in Blueberry

Plants ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 96
Author(s):  
Kenichi Doi ◽  
Ryouichi Nozaki ◽  
Kouji Takahashi ◽  
Naoto Iwasaki
Keyword(s):  
Significant Interaction ◽  
Slow Growth ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Fresh Weight ◽  
Self Pollination ◽  
Pollen Sources ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Number Of Seeds

In present research, differences in the number of seeds per berry (NSB), berry fresh weight (BW), days to ripening from flowering (DRF), and the duration of a slow growth phase (DS II) among pollen sources were investigated in highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum). NSB, as well as BW and DRF, were significantly different among the pollen sources. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with NSB as the covariate showed significant interaction between the NSB and pollen sources on BW and DRF when self-pollination was included. However, ANCOVA without self-pollination showed no significant effect of the pollen source on BW and DRF. On the other hand, DS II was negatively correlated with NSB, and no significant interaction between NSB and pollen sources was found, even though self-pollination was included. Although the relationship between NSB and DS II appeared not to be statistically influenced by the different pollen sources, there seemed to be some difference between self- and cross-pollination. DS II shortened as the NSB increased, which may have led to a decrease in DRF.

Spatial variation in seed production among and within sites and within individuals of Thalictrum thalictroides (Ranunculaceae)

1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 658-667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne E. Lubbers
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Variation ◽  
Seed Set ◽  
Perennial Herb ◽  
Seed Number ◽  
Normal Distributions ◽  
Ovule Number ◽  
One Year ◽  
Log Normal ◽  
Total Seed ◽  
Number Of Seeds

Spatial variation in seed and ovule numbers and percent seed set is described for three populations of the perennial herb Thalictrum thalictroides. Total ovule number of an individual was positively correlated with its seed number, but correlations between ovule number and percent seed set were negative or nonsignificant. Ovule and seed numbers, and to some extent percent seed set, varied among flower positions and inflorescences within plants. Within sites, log-normal distributions of total seed number indicate that a few individuals contributed a large number of seeds relative to the rest of the population. At two sites high values of percent seed set suggest that factors that determine ovule number can be at least as critical to variation in seed number as other factors acting later on. Quadrat reproductive means were not correlated from one year to the next, implying that the relative favorability of certain quadrats is not consistent among years. Sites varied in their reproductive means as well as in their frequency distribution of percent seed set, indicating that the importance of initial ovule number to final seed number per plant not only varies among species as is commonly observed but within as well.

scholarly journals Pollination Requirements of Three Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) Cultivars

1997 ◽  
Vol 122 (6) ◽  
pp. 891-896 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenna E. MacKenzie
Keyword(s):  
Seed Coat ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Harvest Date ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Seed Number ◽  
Berry Size ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Viable Seeds ◽  
Total Seed

The effects of pollination treatments on fruit set and five berry characteristics [mass, diameter, number of apparently viable seeds (well-developed, plump with dark seed coat), total seed number (includes apparently viable and partially developed seeds), and harvest date] were examined on three highbush blueberry cultivars. Pollination treatments included unpollinated, open pollinated, emasculated, and three hand pollinations that used pollen from the same flower, from the same cultivar, or from a different cultivar. Berries matured earliest and were smallest with the most apparently viable seeds in `Northland', `Patriot' had the greatest fruit set and smallest seed number, and `Bluecrop' matured the latest. Fruit set was greater, berry size larger, seed number smaller, and maturation later in 1990 than 1991. For all three cultivars, berries were generally smallest, latest maturing, and had the fewest seeds when pollination was prevented and were largest with the most seeds and earliest maturing in open visitation. Emasculation resulted in berries similar to those from unpollinated flowers. For berry characteristics, cross-pollination was of benefit for `Patriot' and possibly `Northland' but not `Bluecrop'. Thus, commercial highbush blueberry planting designs must be based on the pollination requirements of the particular cultivar. `Northland' berries almost always had seeds, while `Patriot' showed high levels and `Bluecrop' low levels of parthenocarpy.

Effect of Seed Number on Preharvest Drop and Fruit Mass of Three Apple Cultivars

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 513d-513
Author(s):  
Daniel L. Ward ◽  
Richard P. Marini ◽  
Ross E. Byers
Keyword(s):  
Apple Fruit ◽  
Appreciable Amount ◽  
Seed Number ◽  
The Third ◽  
Apple Cultivars ◽  
Viable Seeds ◽  
Fruit Mass ◽  
Number Of Seeds ◽  
Filled Seeds ◽  
June Drop

The factors controlling preharvest drop are poorly understood. The number of viable seeds in apple fruit has been associated with fruits retained following June drop. Three experiments were conducted to determine the effect of seed number on time of preharvest drop. In two experiments treatments were imposed to induce variability in seed numbers. Trees of `Redchief Delicious' were covered with 92% shade fabric for 0, 1, 2, or 3 days when fruits averaged 13 mm in diameter. In a second experiment `Redchief Delicious', `Smoothee', and `Commander York' flowers had 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or all 5 stigmas excised at early “popcorn” stage and the remaining stigmas were hand-pollinated. The third experiment investigated drop of the same three cultivars as affected by the natural variability in seed number. Fruits were gathered from under the trees daily from 26 Aug. until all the fruits had fallen from the trees. Fruits were weighed and the number of filled, large aborted and small aborted seeds were counted. Neither total number of seeds, number of filled seeds, total number of aborted seeds, number of large aborted seeds nor number of small aborted seeds explained any appreciable amount of the variation in date of drop (R2 < 0.13). Fruit mass was positively related to seed number for `Delicious', but not for `Smoothee' or `York'.

The relationship between number of seeds and the frequency of ovule fertilization in field beans (Vicia faba L.)

1983 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. G. Rowland ◽  
D. A. Bond
Keyword(s):  
Seed Set ◽  
Field Bean ◽  
Vicia Faba L ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Ovule Position ◽  
Flower Position ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Mature Seeds ◽  
Field Beans ◽  
Number Of Seeds

SUMMARYA correlation coefficient of r = 0·985 (P < 0·01) between the number of fertilized ovules at each cultivar-ovule position (Rowland, Bond & Parker, 1983) and the number of mature seeds for each cultivar-ovule position indicated an extremely close relationship between fertilized ovules and seed set in four field bean cultivars. This suggests that unreliability in seed yield in field beans could be due to variability in frequency of fertilization as well as in frequency of abortion of seeds and of whole pods.Frequency of ovule abortion occurred differentially among cultivars and this abortion rate varied according to the flowering node and flower position within a raceme. Under stress conditions single-seeded pods were preferentially aborted. The data suggest that a way to increase the average number of seeds per pod is through increased frequency of ovule fertilization.

scholarly journals Increasing Honey Bee Hive Densities Promotes Pollination and Yield Components of Highbush Blueberry in Western Washington

HortScience ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-194
Author(s):  
Matthew Arrington ◽  
Lisa Wasko DeVetter
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Yield Components ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Seed Number ◽  
Berry Weight ◽  
Berry Size ◽  
Western Washington

Yield components including fruit set and berry size in northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) can be limited in key production regions like western Washington. Climactic conditions influence the activity levels of blueberry’s primary commercial pollinator, honey bee (Apis mellifera). Cool springs with frequent rainfall, which are common during the spring bloom period in western Washington, can reduce honey bee activity, pollination efficiency, and subsequent fruit set and yields. Increasing honey bee hive density may be a simple technique that growers can employ to increase the number of honey bees foraging during periods of good weather, interspersed with the poor weather, and therefore, increase fruit set and related yield components. The objective of this study was to evaluate if increased honey bee hive densities improve pollination and subsequent yield components in western Washington blueberry. Three field sites with mature ‘Duke’ plants were stocked with 10 hives/ha of honey bees (control), and three other field sites (also ‘Duke’) were stocked with 20 hives/ha (high hive density). Honey bee visitation and yield components, including fruit set and berry weight, were measured. Estimated yield, seed number/berry, and fruit firmness were also monitored. There were no significant differences in fruit set regardless of honey bee hive density. However, honey bee visitation and estimated yield increased with increased honey bee hive density. Berry weight and seed number per berry were also increased with increased honey bee hive density, although firmness was unaffected. Results indicate that increasing honey bee hive densities can help blueberry growers improve berry size and overall yields, suggesting this is a practice growers can implement if their production is constrained by insufficient pollination.

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