A research approach supporting micropropagation and domestication of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) in Egypt

Abstract

© 2018 Abuo El-Dis et al. The northern high bush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum L., is a North American species of blueberry, which has become a food crop of economic importance around the world. In the recent years, there has been an extended commercial interest for many wild species of Vaccinium products in Israel, Japan and New Zealand and of course Egypt. Nowadays a growing interest from NGOs and various research groups. They have participated in a concerted research action with cross counter disciplinary cooperation between plant physiology, population genetics, tree breeding, food science, and socioeconomics. Studies have been initiated in several countries on geographic variation of growth, adaptive and phenological traits. Unfortunately, until now, in Egypt we do not have enough studies to establishment of international provenance series, seed banks and studies of gene flow and phylogeographic variation of Vaccinium species. This paper presents part of our methods and reproducible protocols for clone propagation. The accumulated knowledge will be applied for a domestication strategy of Vaccinium corymbosum L. in Egypt. In addition, the outcome from this study will be guidelines for propagation and management of the germplasm of other Vaccinium species and resources.