scholarly journals Pollen Sources Influence Early Fruit Growth of Southern Highbush Blueberry

1997 ◽  
Vol 122 (5) ◽  
pp. 625-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y.H. Huang ◽  
C.E. Johnson ◽  
G.A. Lang ◽  
M.D. Sundberg

Ovule abortion occurred between 5 and 10 days after pollination (DAP) in self- and cross-pollinated `Sharpblue' blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) fruit. More ovule abortion occurred with self-pollination (35%) than with cross-pollination (22% for `Sharpblue' × `O'Neal' and 29% for `Sharpblue' × `Gulfcoast'), and there were more poorly developed ovules with self-pollination (88.1%) than with cross-pollination (× `O'Neal', 33.6%; × `Gulfcoast' 50.8%). The increase in ovule area correlated exponentially with fruit growth during early developmental stages, regardless of pollination treatment. However, cross-pollination resulted in significantly greater ovule area and fruit mass during early fruit development as well as at ripening. Ovule area was maximum at 25 to 30 DAP for both pollination treatments, followed by exponential fruit growth (stage III). Cross-pollination resulted in greater fruit growth and a shorter stage III. At 10 DAP, ovules from cross-pollination were larger than those from self-pollination, suggesting that cross-pollination initiated ovule growth immediately after fertilization. This research suggests that southern highbush blueberry fruit growth and development is intimately associated with ovule growth and development, which is affected by pollen sources.

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah K. Taber ◽  
James W. Olmstead

Cross-pollination has been associated with improved fruit set, weight, and shortened time to ripening in southern highbush blueberry [SHB (Vaccinium corymbosum interspecific hybrids)]. Because of this, growers commonly plant two or more cultivars in small blocks to facilitate cross-pollination. However, many SHB cultivars may vary in the degree of improvement in each parameter after cross-pollination. Understanding the impacts of cross-pollination on a particular cultivar is crucial to forming planting recommendations, particularly as growers begin to transition to fields designed for machine harvest where large solid blocks would increase the harvest efficiency. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of cross- and self-pollination among 13 commonly planted or newly released SHB cultivars. Cross-pollination typically improved fruit set, fruit weight, and seed number while decreasing the average days to harvest. Cross-pollinated fruit always weighed more than self-pollinated fruit from the same cultivar, which was highly correlated to seed number per fruit. Although there was variation for each trait, interplanting with another unrelated cultivar sharing a similar bloom time remains the best recommendation to ensure early, high yield among these SHB cultivars.


Plants ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 96
Author(s):  
Kenichi Doi ◽  
Ryouichi Nozaki ◽  
Kouji Takahashi ◽  
Naoto Iwasaki

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.


1997 ◽  
Vol 122 (5) ◽  
pp. 616-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y.H. Huang ◽  
G.A. Lang ◽  
C.E. Johnson ◽  
M.D. Sundberg

Five-year old `Sharpblue' southern highbush blueberry plants (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) were self- and cross-pollinated (`O'Neal') to study peroxidase (POD) activity, isozyme patterns, and histological localization during fruit development. Cross-pollination resulted in larger and earlier-ripening fruit. Activities of soluble and bound POD were very high during fruit growth period I, with peaks at 10 and 20 days after self- and cross-pollination. Activity was much higher for cross-pollinated fruit. During fruit growth period II, POD activities were low in both pollination treatments. During ripening, soluble POD increased, then declined in both treatments. Bound POD activities increased during the color transition from blue to dark blue, with the increase greater in self-pollinated fruit. Banding patterns of soluble and bound POD isozymes and their histological localization varied by pollination treatment as well as fruit developmental stage. During fruit ripening, soluble POD activity appeared to be associated with color transition from light blue to blue, while bound POD activity appeared to be associated with color transition from blue to dark blue.


HortScience ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 436c-436
Author(s):  
Yuehe Huang ◽  
Gregory A. Lang

To study the effects of pollen sources on ovule and berry development in southern highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum hybrids), 5-year-old `Sharpblue' plants were moved into a greenhouse for self- and cross-pollination experiments. Cross-pollination with `Gulfcoast' and `O'Neal' as pollen sources increased fruit weight by 58.2% and 54.9%, respectively, compared to self-pollination. Cross-pollination did not affect the number of total and small ovules significantly but did double the number of fully developed ovules and increase the average ovule size by 14%. The increase in number and size of fully developed ovules correlated with the significant difference in berry fresh weight between self- and cross-pollination. Cross- and self-pollination showed good correlations between fruit fresh weight and number or cross-sectional area of fully developed ovules. There was a poor correlation between fruit fresh weight and the number or cross-sectional area of partially developed ovules. This study provides further evidence that berry size in southern highbush is influenced strongly by the development of fully developed ovules.


2015 ◽  
Vol 140 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alisson P. Kovaleski ◽  
Jeffrey G. Williamson ◽  
James W. Olmstead ◽  
Rebecca L. Darnell

Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) production is increasing worldwide, particularly in subtropical growing regions, but information on timing and extent of inflorescence bud development during summer and fall and effects on bloom the next season are limited. The objectives of this study were to determine time of inflorescence bud initiation, describe internal inflorescence bud development, and determine the relationship between internal inflorescence bud development and bloom period the next spring in two southern highbush blueberry [SHB (Vaccinium corymbosum interspecific hybrids)] cultivars. ‘Emerald’ and ‘Jewel’ SHB buds were collected beginning in late summer until shoot growth cessation in late fall for dissection and identification of organ development. Inflorescence bud frequency and number, vegetative and inflorescence bud length and width throughout development, and bloom were also assessed. Inflorescence bud initiation occurred earlier in ‘Emerald’ compared with ‘Jewel’. Five stages of internal inflorescence bud development were defined throughout fall in both cultivars, ranging from a vegetative meristem to early expansion of the inflorescence bud in late fall. ‘Emerald’ inflorescence buds were larger and bloomed earlier, reflecting the earlier inflorescence bud initiation and development. Although inflorescence bud initiation occurred earlier in ‘Emerald’ compared with ‘Jewel’, the pattern of development was not different. Timing of inflorescence bud initiation influenced timing of bloom with earlier initiation resulting in earlier bloom.


HortScience ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (12) ◽  
pp. 1745-1749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anish Malladi ◽  
Tripti Vashisth ◽  
Lisa Klima Johnson

Two abscission agents, ethephon and methyl jasmonate, were investigated in five studies to determine their potential for increasing fruit detachment during harvest in rabbiteye (Vaccinium ashei Reade) and southern highbush (hybrids based largely on Vaccinium corymbosum L. and Vaccinium darrowi Camp.) blueberry. In the first study with a rabbiteye blueberry genotype, T-451, ethephon applications up to 1000 mg·L−1 did not affect fruit drop but reduced fruit detachment force (FDF) by up to 21%. In the second study with two southern highbush blueberry genotypes, ethephon (up to 1500 mg·L−1) and methyl jasmonate (MeJa; up to 10 mm) applications resulted in significant fruit drop in ‘Star’ but neither of the growth regulators affected the fruit detachment characteristics of ‘Farthing’. In a third study with rabbiteye blueberry genotypes, MeJa applications of 10, 20, and 30 mm displayed an increasing linear trend in fruit drop in ‘Climax’ and linear and quadratic trends in fruit drop in ‘Powderblue’. In a fourth study with ‘Powderblue’, MeJa (20 mm) and ethephon (1000 mg·L−1) applications resulted in rapid and significant fruit drop. The fruit drop induced by MeJa in this study was attenuated by the coapplication of aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), an ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor, suggesting that MeJa induced fruit detachment partly through its effects on ethylene biosynthesis. In another study with the southern highbush blueberry genotype, O’Neal, MeJa applications (20 mm) induced significant fruit drop but ethephon (1000 mg·L−1) applications did not affect fruit detachment. Overall, MeJa applications (20 mm or greater) generally induced rapid and extensive fruit abscission, often within 1 day after treatment. Applications of MeJa resulted in leaf yellowing and necrosis of leaf tips and margins, especially at high rates of application (20 mm or greater). Ethephon applications resulted in the abscission of mature and immature berries. Both ethephon and MeJa applications resulted in the detachment of the pedicel along with the fruit. Together, these data suggest that although ethephon and MeJa have the potential to be used as harvest aids in blueberry, the rates of application require further optimization to minimize potential phytotoxicity. Additionally, effective de-stemming of the berries may be essential if these compounds are to be used as harvest aids.


HortScience ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 835-843 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica L. Gilbert ◽  
Michael L. Schwieterman ◽  
Thomas A. Colquhoun ◽  
David G. Clark ◽  
James W. Olmstead

Previously, when selecting for flavor in the University of Florida southern highbush blueberry (SHB, Vaccinium corymbosum L. hybrids) breeding program, sugar/acid ratios and breeder preference were the only factors considered. A more precise method of evaluating flavor would include volatile compounds that may also contribute to the flavor experience. Therefore, volatile profiles of five SHB cultivars (Farthing, FL01-173, Scintilla, Star, and Sweetcrisp) were compared using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. All cultivars were harvested on four separate dates within the harvest season, and fruit from each cultivar were also harvested at four developmental stages on the first harvest date. Among the cultivars, soluble solids content and volatile production tended to increase with fruit maturity, whereas titratable acidity decreased. All volatile components were more variable than measures of sugars and acids during the harvest season. Many of the volatiles present varied significantly between harvest dates, resulting in significant genotype × environment interactions during the harvest season. A closer examination of linalool, trans-2-hexenol, trans-2-hexenal, hexanal, and 1-penten-3-ol, five volatile compounds commonly associated with blueberry flavor, showed cultivar, developmental stage, and harvest date differences for each volatile. ‘Star’ experienced the least variation through the harvest period.


2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey G. Williamson ◽  
Luis Mejia ◽  
Bradley Ferguson ◽  
Paul Miller ◽  
Dorota Z. Haman

Nonweighing drainage lysimeters were used to measure seasonal water use of mature ‘Emerald’ southern highbush blueberry (SHB; Vaccinium corymbosum interspecific hybrid) plants grown in pine bark beds and in pine bark amended soil in north central Florida. In the absence of rain, irrigation was applied daily with microsprinklers at ≈120% to 175% of reference evapotranspiration as either single or split applications. Leachate was collected and its volume determined from each lysimeter at 6- to 10-day intervals throughout the study. Water use, expressed as L/plant, was calculated as the difference between the amount of irrigation/rain added to lysimeters and the amount of leachate collected from lysimeters during each measurement period. Average daily water use was calculated for monthly intervals beginning in Apr. 2010 and ending in Sept. 2012. Water use increased rapidly during spring through the final stages of fruit ripening and harvest (May) with peak water use occurring during mid to late summer (July, August, and September). Plants grown in pine bark beds used more water than plants in pine bark amended soil during Apr., May, and Dec. 2010, Feb. 2011, and Mar. 2012, but there were no differences during the periods of highest water use. No differences in water use were observed between single or split-application irrigation treatments. Monthly averages for daily water use during the 30-month period ranged from ≈1.75 L/plant in January to ≈8.0 L/plant in mid to late summer. Mean monthly crop coefficient values during the 30-month period ranged from 0.44 in February to 0.86 in September. Canopy volume, yield, and mean berry weight were unaffected by soil or irrigation treatments.


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