ABSTRACT
Progress was made in identifying molecular markers linked to genes which control chilling requirement and cold hardiness in a woody perennial, blueberry (Vaccinium, section Cyanococcus). 40Construction of RAPD (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA)-based genetic linkage maps using two testcross populations derived from interspecific hybrids of wild diploid blueberry species, V. darrowi Camp X V elliottii Chapm. and V. darrowi X V caesariense Mackenz. was continued. Mapping populations were segregating for chilling requirement and cold hardiness. Screening plants of the V. darrowi × V. caesariense-derived mapping population for cold acclimation capacity using leaf tissue collected before and after cold treatment and an electrolyte leakage assay was begun. In addition, a tetraploid breeding population (predominantly V. corymbosum L.) was screened for chilling requirement and efforts were begun to identify markers linked to genes determining chilling requirement using this population and a bulked-segregant-type analysis. [Article copies available from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-342-9678.]
