SummaryThe possibility of using wild blueberry Shashanbo (Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb.) as a rootstock for cultivating northern highbush blueberry in a warm region was investigated. The survival ratios of three different cultivars ('Berkeley', 'Bluecrop', and 'Earliblue') grafted on 3-year-old seedlings of Shashanbo plants were 85.7 to 100%. Furthermore, 41 cultivars included in highbush blueberries and rabbiteye blueberries were successfully grafted on seedlings of Shashanbo rootstock. There were no signs of incompatibility even four years after grafting, and anatomical observations of graft unions supported this result. The shoot growth and fruit weight of 'Earliblue' grafted on seedlings of Shashanbo rootstock were significantly higher than those of plants on their own roots. However, the shoot growth of 'Earliblue' grafted on rooted cuttings of rabbiteye blueberries ('Homebell' and 'Tifblue') was significantly higher than that of those on seedlings of Shashanbo rootstock. In addition, there were no differences in concentrations or component ratio of sugars and organic acids on any rootstock.These findings suggest that Shashanbo has graft compatibility with blueberry and that seedlings could be used as a rootstock for cultivating northern highbush blueberries in southern Kyushu.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract