Vegetative propagation of Elliott’s blueberry (Vaccinium elliottii) by hardwood cuttings

Abstract

Elliott’s blueberry (Vaccinium elliottii Chapm. [Ericaceae]) is native to the southeastern and south-central US. It can be used as a landscape shrub and is important blueberry breeding germplasm. Vegetative propagation by cuttings is a time- and cost-efficient method to ensure genetic stability. Cutting success is variable for blueberry species and cultivars; however, cutting propagation is particularly difficult for wild species. We evaluated rooting success of Elliott’s blueberry hardwood cuttings. Cuttings differed in length (10, 15, and 20 cm [4, 6, and 8 in]) and in indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) dipping treatment concentration (0, 2.5, 5 g/l). Rooting percentage ranged from 50 to 77.8% with an average of 62.4% in our study. Neither cutting length nor IBA treatment affected rooting percentage or shoot formation. Rooted cuttings grew vigorously to a 40 cm height in 3 mo after transplanting. Our results indicate that hardwood cuttings in late January are a feasible way to vegetatively propagate Elliott’s blueberry.