Influence of in vitro and ex vitro propagation on the growth and development of lingonberry

Abstract

The growth and development as well as the chemical composition of lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. ssp. vitis-idaea) cultivars 'Splendor' and 'Erntedank' were studied. The cultivars were propagated using conventional softwood cuttings ex vitro (SC) or by in vitro adventitious shoot regeneration from excised leaves of micropropagated shoots (TC). Morphological data, which includes stem number, branch number, leaf number and fruit yield, diameter and weight, were collected after four growth seasons. Chemical analyses for leaf chlorophyll content and for anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity of the fruit were performed. -- The results of this study indicate that TC plants exhibited significantly more vegetative growth than SC plants thus making TC plants ideal candidates for rapid establishment in the field. While the fruits of SC plants had higher levels of anthocyanins as well as increased production of larger fruit, the TC fruits showed a greater antioxidant activity to compliment its superior growth and development. 'Erntedank' out-yielded 'Splendor' in berry production although the larger fruit were produced by 'Splendor'.