The Consequences of Inbreeding on Fertility in Vaccinium corymbosum L.

Abstract

Seed counts from self- and cross-pollinated highbush blueberry cultivars suggested that fertility in both mating systems is under similar genetic control. Viable seed set following selfing and outcrossing was inversely correlated with zygotic levels of inbreeding, and percentage of seed abortion in both crosses showed a positive association with zygotic F values. Among six genotypes, cross- and self-fertility were highly correlated. Fluorescent microscopy revealed no differences in the frequency of self and foreign pollen tube growth into ovules. Variation in self- and cross-fertility among these cultivars was attributed to differences in zygotic levels of homozygosity and cumulative expression of recessive mutations that promote seed abortion.