Winter-hardiness trials of Vaccinium corymbosum L. in Nova Scotia

Abstract

In order to assess cold tolerance in V. corymbosum L. in Nova Scotia, 336 even-aged seedlings from 21 locations (representing five different habitats and six eastern North American floristic regions) were set out at the Kentville Research Centre in 1978. Frost damage is largely restricted to Coastal Plain plants and to a lesser extent the Appalachian Mountain plants. Principal component analysis indicates that berry weight co-varies negatively with winter-kill and days from the anthesis until fruit ripening. Hardy plants that flower in early May also need the fewest days to produce ripe fruit. Among the 23 early flowering biotypes, six early fruiting biotypes were identified.