Micropropagation of Vaccinium virgatum ‘Delite’: a rabbiteye cultivar adapted to mild winters

Abstract

ABSTRACT Blueberries have large amounts of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, playing an important role in improving health. In vitro culture is a possible method for vegetative propagation overcoming the problems of pathogen infection. Most studies on the in vitro culture of blueberries focus on highbush and lowbush cultivars. However, blueberry rabbiteye cultivars have lower chilling requirements and are more adapted to mild winter regions. Our objective was to develop a micropropagation protocol through axillary shoot growth, with reduced risks of somaclonal variation in ‘Delite’ rabbiteye blueberry. In vitro establishment was tested with single-node segments. The most promising results were using 2.5 µM zeatin. Multiplication through axillary shoot growth, starting with two-node stem segments were more successful in the concentration of 2.5 µM zeatin (70% of explants with axillary shoot growth). In vitro and ex vitro rooting with acclimatization were compared. In vitro rooting was achieved with immersion in 500 mg L−1 IBA (indole-3-butyric acid). Different substrates and mineral salts were also compared in ex vitro rooting. The results in vermiculite with WPM mineral salts were superior (68% rooting). In conclusion, this study provides techniques for micropropagation through axillary shoots of ‘Delite’ rabbiteye blueberry concerning establishment, multiplication, rooting, and acclimatization of plants.