Summary
Eight varieties of cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) were crossed in a complete diallel experimental design to examine self and cross fertility. Significant differences were detected for total, developed, and percent developed seed set among the varieties as females. Female fertility of ‘Howes’ and ‘Wilcox’ was reduced between 30 and 50% as compared to other varieties. Developed and percent developed seed set were significantly reduced for all varieties upon self-pollination. Reduction in developed seed set appeared to be the result of an increased level of abortion in self-pollinated flowers. Significant differences were found among varieties for ovule number. A positive correlation between berry weight and developed seed/berry was observed for most varieties. Genotypic variability in fertility and self-fertility could be exploited in developing varieties with increased productivity.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ballington, J.R. & G.J.Galletta, 1978. Comparative cross-ability of 4 diploid Vaccinium species. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 103: 554–560.
Cross, C.E., 1953. Cranberry flowers and set of fruit. Cranberries 17(12): 7–9.
Dana, M.N., S.Steinmann & L.Goben, 1989. Pollen source and fruit set of Cranberry. Cranberries 53(6): 10–14.
Darrow, G.M., 1958. Seed number in blueberry fruits. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 72: 212–215.
El-Agamy, S.Z.A., W.B.Sherman & P.M.Lyrene, 1981. Fruit set and seed number from self- and cross-pollinated highbush (4 ×) and rabbiteye (6 ×) blueberries. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 106: 443–445.
Filmer, R.S., P.Marucci & H.Moulter, 1958. Seed counts and size of cranberries. Proc. Amer. Cranberry Grower's Assoc. 88: 22–30.
Filmer, R.S. & P.E. Marucci, 1963. The importance of honeybees in blueberry pollination. Proc. 31st Ann. N.J. Blueberry Open House. p. 14–21.
Gupton, G.L., 1984. Effect of pollen source on fruit characteristics of low-chilling highbush type blueberries. HortSci. 19: 531–532.
Hall, I.V. & L.E.Aalders, 1965. The relationship between seed number and berry weight in the cranberry. Can. J. Plant Sci. 45: 292.
Hellman, E.W. & J.N.Moore, 1983. Effect of genetic relationship to pollinizer on fruit, seed and seedling parameters in highbush and rabbiteye blueberries. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 108: 401–405.
Krebs, S. & J.F.Hancock, 1988. The consequences of inbreeding on fertility in Vaccinium corymbosum L. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 113: 914–918.
Krebs, S. & J.F.Hancock, 1990. Early-acting depression and reproductive success in highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum L. Theor. Appl. Genet. 79: 825–832.
Marucci, P., 1967. Cranberry pollination. Amer. Bee J. 107: 212–213.
Marucci, P., 1990. Cross pollination of cranberries. Cranberries 54(5): 3–8.
Marucci, P.E. & R.S. Filmer, 1964. Preliminary cross pollination tests on cranberries. Proc. Amer. Cranberry Growers Assoc. 1961–1964, p. 48–51.
Meader, E.M. & G.M.Darrow, 1944. Pollination of the rabbiteye blueberry and related species. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 45: 267–274.
Moore, J.N., B.D.Reynolds & G.R.Brown, 1972. Effects of seed number, size and development on fruit size of cultivated blueberries. HortSci. 7: 268–269.
Morrow, E.B., 1943. Some effects of cross-pollination versus self-pollination in the cultivated blueberry. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 42: 469–472.
Rigby, B. & M.N.Dana, 1971. Seed number and berry volume in cranberry. HortSci. 6: 495–496.
Roberts, R.H. & B.Esther Struckmeyer, 1942. Growth and fruiting of the cranberry. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 40: 373–379.
SAS Institute Inc., 1989. SAS/STAT user's guide, version 6.0 edition. SAS Institute Inc., Cary, North Carolina.
Schaffer, H.E. & R.A. Usanis, 1969. General least square analysis of diallel experiment: A computer program diallel. North Carolina State Univ. Genetics Dept. Rpt. 1.
Vorsa, N., 1987. Characterization of pollen stainability and seet set in cranberry. HortSci. 22: 380. (abstr.)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sarracino, J.M., Vorsa, N. Self and cross fertility in cranberry. Euphytica 58, 129–136 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00022813
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00022813