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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Poplarville, Mississippi » Southern Horticultural Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #178531
Title: NOTICE TO NURSERYMEN OF THE NAMING AND RELEASE FOR PROPAGATION OF DIXIEBLUE A NEW SOUTHERN HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY CULTIVAR

Author
item Stringer, Stephen
item Spiers, James
item DRAPER, ARLEN - RETIRED ARS EMPLOYEE

Submitted to: Germplasm Release
Publication Type: Germplasm Release
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/18/2005
Publication Date: 2/18/2005
Citation: Stringer, S.J., Spiers, J.M., Draper, A. 2005. Notice to nurserymen of the naming and release for propagation of dixieblue a new southern highbush blueberry cultivar. Germplasm Release.

Interpretive Summary: Dixieblue is a southern highbush blueberry released by the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, and was developed by Dr. Arlen Draper, Dr. Jim Spiers and Dr. Stephen Stringer at the Small Fruit Research Station, Poplarville, MS. Mature plants are vigorous and productive and have spreading round growth habit and grow to a medium height. Plants bloom in mid-to late March in South MS., which is generally sufficiently late to avoid late spring freeze injury, and fruit ripen 7-10 days prior to Climax, the earliest rabbiteye blueberry cultivar. Berries of Dixieblue are medium – large with an attractive flat shape and have good flavor, color and firmness, and small picking scars. Dixieblue should be interplanted with other southern highbush blueberry cultivars to facilitate adequate cross pollination and to optimize fruit set, yield and quality. Dixieblue is recommended for trial plantings in the Coastal Plains and Gulf Coast Regions where moderate winter chilling occurs.

Technical Abstract: germplasm release