An intersectional hybrid between Darrow’s blueberry (V. darrowii Camp) and lingonberry (V. vitis-idaea L.)

Authors: Ehlenfeldt, Mark; Bassil, Nahla; Zalapa, Juan; DE LA TORRE, FERNANDO - University Of Wisconsin; LUTEYN, JAMES - New York Botanical Garden

Submitted to: Plants
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/24/2024
Publication Date: 6/6/2024
Citation: Ehlenfeldt, M.K., Bassil, N.V., Zalapa, J.E., De La Torre, F., Luteyn, J.L. 2024. An intersectional hybrid between Darrow’s blueberry (V. darrowii Camp) and lingonberry (V. vitis-idaea L.). Plants. 13(11):1572. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13111572.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13111572

Interpretive Summary: There is a need/interest in introducing new species germplasm into commercial highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) for improvement of blueberry fruit quality and resistance to abiotic stress. In order to developing breeding schemes to accomplish this, we need to understand the breeding behavior and potential crossing barriers between genetically distant blueberry species. In evaluating species crossability, we succeeded in making hybrids between Darrow’s blueberry (V. darrowii) and lingonberry (V. vitis-idaea). The fertility of the best of these hybrids was extensively evaluated. Both male and female fertility were found to be low; however, a small number of backcross hybrids were generated. These hybrids may allow the introgression of this germplasm into commercial highbush blueberry and/or allow the production of improved lingonberries. This information will be of interest to researchers and breeders of blueberry and lingonberry.

Technical Abstract: A cross of V. darrowii ‘Johnblue’ ×V. vitis-idaea ‘Red Sunset’ produced more than 20 true hybrids confirmed by molecular markers. The most vigorous of these hybrids was extensively evaluated. This hybrid was floriferous and morphologically intermediate to the respective parents. Examination of pollen suggested low male fertility. Numerous crosses using the hybrid as a female reflected similarly low fertility, and potential crossing barriers. Stylar examination suggested blockage of growth of pollen tubes from self-pollinations, and significantly retarded growth in backcross pollinations. Nonetheless, a few putatively hybrid offspring have been produced using the hybrids as female in crosses with lingonberry and V. darrowii. V. darrowii × V. vitis-idaea hybrids such as the one presented offer the potential for broadening the adaptation of lingonberry and/or generating de novo interspecific fruit types in blueberry.