Journal of Berry Research - Volume 9, issue 3

Authors: Nestby, R. | Hykkerud, A.L. | Martinussen, I.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Interest in the wild berries of dwarf shrubs (wild berries) is increasing. Therefore, an update is important regarding how these species react to and interact with different climatic factors, and on how the predicted climatic changes will affect their distribution, growth and content of compounds affecting health. OBJECTIVE: To systemize knowledge of the Ericaceae and Empetraceae wild berry species. METHODS: A review of literature covering the above topics. CONCLUSION: This review includes five wild berry species and their subspecies: Vaccinium myrtillus , Vaccinium vitis-idaea , Vaccinium uliginosum , Vaccinium oxycoccos …with ssp. microcarpon , and Empetrum nigrum with ssp. nigrum , hermaphroditum and japonicum. They have been and still are collected in the wild, by local households and industry. The berries have high content of biological compounds of interest for human health. Despite the increasing interest in and demand for these wild berries, domestication attempts have been rare. The species often grow together and are competitors. Which species dominate depends on soil conditions and is determined by small differences. The changing climate and various disturbances will also influence the distribution patterns of wild berries and competing plant species. Semi-cultivation in the natural habitat is probably the best solution for viable and sustainable commercial exploitation of these resources, at least if they are sold with the label “wild berries”. However, these species are easily propagated by fresh cuttings, and they can grow on arable land, adapting soil conditions to fit their growing preferences. Such cultivation, to our knowledge has not yet been performed on a large economic scale. Show more

Keywords: V. myrtillus, V. uliginosum, V. oxycoccos, V. vitis-idaea, E. nigrum, breeding, drought, freezing, UV-B, disturbance

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-190390

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 515-547, 2019

Authors: Hunková, Júlia | Gajdošová, Alena

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Amelanchier alnifolia is an attractive small fruit difficult to propagate by traditional methods. Moreover, this species can be susceptible to dormancy after transplanting to the soil. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to evaluate factors that contribute to effective in vitro rooting and acclimatization of micropropagated shoots of Amelanchier alnifolia . METHODS: Different auxins, media concentrations, and sprays containing plant growth regulators were tested. The experimental data were treated by analysis of variance. RESULTS: 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) was superior for rooting compared to indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and indole-3-acetic acid …(IAA). Cultivation of shoots on Murashige & Skoog (MS) medium with a half-strength concentration (1 /2  MS) led to higher rooting frequencies than on full-strength MS medium. Addition of 1.5 mg l–1 spermidine to cultivation medium did not significantly improve rooting. Gibberellic acid (GA4+7 ) alone or in combination with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) did not effectively break post-rooting dormancy. CONCLUSION: The greatest number of actively growing plants was recorded after rooting the shoots on 1 /2  MS medium with 1 mg l–1 NAA followed by a spray treatment with 1 mg l–1 BAP. These results are directly applicable for improving rooting efficiency and acclimatization of micropropagated Amelanchier spp. plantlets. Show more

Keywords: Amelanchier alnifolia, auxin, rooting, dormancy, spermidine, GA4+7

DOI: 10.3233/JBR-180376

Citation: Journal of Berry Research, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 549-561, 2019