Klimavičiūtė, Ilona

Recently highbush blueberry has been one of the most popular plants in Lithuania. The cultivars which are grown in our region are the result of breeding among several blueberry species such as Vaccinium corymbosum, Vaccinium formosum and Vaccinium angustifolium. These cultivars are suitable for cultivation in the temperate zone. This new garden plant is widely grown in the private orchards however industrial plantations of highbush blueberry have been also increasing since 2002. Therefore qualitative saplings are in high demand and gardeners often lack planting material of valuable cultivars. The aim of this research was to analyse propagation of highbush blueberry by green cuttings and to evaluate quality of two-year saplings. 17 different cultivars of highbush blueberry were chosen for the research. Cuttings were rooted in a special greenhouse where conditions of artificial fog were created. Stimulant was used to improve root formation. The results of the research showed that green cuttings of ‘Bluejay’, ‘Blueray’, ‘Danutė’ and ‘Draper’ highbush blueberry cultivars were distinguish by the best rooting while ‘Spartan’, ‘Freda’ and ‘Bonus’ cultivars were characteristic by poor formation of roots. After evaluation of quality of two-year saplings, the best cultivars of highbush blueberry ‘Earliblue’, ‘Blueray’ and ‘Toro’ were identified and recommended for selling earlier than the saplings of the other cultivars. The results of this research confirmed that saplings of the cultivars ‘Freda’, ‘Brigitta Blue’ and ‘Bluecrop’ were weaker despite the fact that bushes of ‘Brigitta Blue’ and ‘Bluecrop’ formed more lateral branches than bushes of the above mentioned cultivars.

Establishing of the collection of blueberries (Vaccinium x covilleanum Butkus et Pliszka) at Kaunas Botanical Garden of Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) was started in 1993. There are 97 different samples of blueberries in collection now, and 49 of them are cultivars. As a result of long-time selection work and investigations, the first two approved Lithuanian cultivars were selected at Kaunas Botanical Garden of VMU by name ‘Freda’ and ‘Danutė’ in 2011. The new Lithuanian cultivars are so distinct from other blueberry cultivars because of higher amount of anthocyanins in the berries. Productivity and other features important for growers of 40 cultivars were evaluated during years of investigation. The best according quality of berries and productivity were cultivars ‘Reka’, ‘Toro’, ‘Patriot’, ‘Nui’, ‘Puru’, ‘Spartan’, ‘Bluejay’, ‘Putte’ and ‘Danutė’.

Establishment of the collection of blueberries (Vaccinium × covilleanum Butkus et Pliszka) at Kaunas Botanical Garden of VMU was started in 1993. Presently, there are 97 different samples of blueberries in the collection, and 49 of them are cultivars. As a result of long years of selec­ tion work and investigations the first two approved by Lithuanian cultivars were selected at Kaunas Botanical Garden of VMU by name ‘freda‘ and ‘Danute’ in 2011. The new Lithuanian cultivars are different from other blueberry cultivars because of higher amount of anthocyanins in the berries. Productivity and other features important for growers of 40 cultivars were evaluated during many years of investigation. According to the quality of berries and productivity, ‘reka’, ‘toro’, ‘Patriot’, ‘Nui’, ‘Puru’, ‘spartan’, ‘Bluejay’, ‘Putte’ and ‘Danute’ were considered the best cultivars.