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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #169786
Title: GROWTH, YIELD, AND FRUIT QUALITY OF 10 LINGONBERRY (VACCINIUM VITIS-IDAEA) CULTIVARS AND SELECTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Author
item Finn, Chad
item Mackey, Theodore - Ted

Submitted to: Acta Horticulturae
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/17/2005
Publication Date: 8/31/2006
Citation: Finn, C.E., Mackey, T.A. 2006. Growth, yield, and fruit quality of 10 lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) cultivars and selections in the United States Pacific Northwest. Acta Horticulturae. 715:289-294.

Interpretive Summary: Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis- idaea L.) has a long history of commercial harvest in Europe and parts of North America, but is considered a new crop in the US Pacific Northwest. A group of cultivars and advanced selections that may hold promise for the Pacific Northwest were evaluated in a replicated trial. In addition to determining fruit yield, fruit size, plant health, and timing of fruit ripening, fruit chemistry characteristics that are important for processing quality were evaluated. While 'Koralle' and 'Red Pearl' are currently grown commercially in the Northwest, this trial indicated that 'Ida' is a potentially outstanding cultivar, and suggested that further trial of an advanced selection from Sweden is needed.

Technical Abstract: Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis- idaea L.) has a long history of commercial harvest in Europe and parts of North America, but is considered a new crop in the US Pacific Northwest. Three Swedish advanced selections (87102-3, 8723-10, 8724-49) from the now closed Balsgård Research Station, and seven cultivars ('Ida', 'Koralle', 'Linnea', 'Red Pearl', 'Sanna', 'Splendor', and 'Sussi') were compared in a replicated trial at the USDA-ARS in Corvallis, Oregon (USA). In fall 2000, genotypes were planted on raised beds and arranged in a randomized complete block design. In 2002, vigor and full bloom date for the first cropping season were recorded. In 2003, most of the genotypes had two crops and some had a third fall bloom, therefore, first bloom, full bloom, first fully colored ('ripe'), and 50% of fruit fully colored for each crop were recorded along with plant vigor. Fruit were harvested in both years and berry weight determined. Soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, and total anthocyanins were determined from frozen samples. While 'Linnea' and 'Sussi' had a single crop that ripened in late July-early August, the other genotypes had two crops; the first ripened in mid-July and the second in late September-early October. 'Ida' had the largest fruit and the greatest yield. 'Ida's' fruit were over 40% heavier than the second largest genotype (8723-10) and nearly twice as heavy with almost twice the yield as 'Koralle'. 'Red Pearl', which is also grown commercially in the Pacific Northwest, had a very poor yield and was similar to 'Koralle' in fruit size. 'Ida' and 'Koralle', and perhaps 8723-10, appear to have the best overall horticultural characteristics and fruit characteristics.