Pollen Analysis of Two Highbush Blueberry Varieties Vactinium corymbosum1

Abstract

A significantly higher percentage of blueberry pollen germinated from the variety ‘Rubel’ than from ‘Jersey’. Germination of pollen from both varieties decreased with blossom age. The ‘Rubel’ variety had a longer optimum period of germination than did the ‘Jersey’. The number of pollen grains released by the ‘Rubel’ blossoms also appeared to be greater than that of the ‘Jersey’. Differences in pollen germination and production may explain differences in fruit production under conditions of low pollinator levels. Multiple germination tubes were produced by both varieties of blueberry pollen.