Reproductive ability of tetraploid cowberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.)

Creation of allotetraploid cowberry-blueberry hybrids is a promising direction in Vacciniaceae breeding. However, obtaining such hybrids is difficult because of biological features of tetraploid cowberry. In this regard the aim of research was study of pollen viability of tetraploid cowberry, its crossing ability with different species and interspesific blueberry hybrid in various years, as well as based on the results obtained, selection of promising methods of growth stimulation of pollen tubes, hybrid seed setting and cultivation of hybrid seedlings.

As a result of research it has been established that tetraploid cowberry is characterized by low productivity and pollen viability, although its viability may reach 10.7 % in some years. Hybrid seedlings gradually died off with growth. On the base of the data obtained it is proposed that a special technique be used to increase hybrid fruit setting (pollination of flowers by a mixture of pollen, pollination in different life spans of a flower, castration of flowers without removing a corolla, reciprocal crosses, spraying pollinated flowers by solutions of growth regulators and microelements) and cultivation of hybrid seedlings (in vitro culture).

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