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Collaborative project: Safeguarding high-quality and healthy propagation material of blueberry by identification of causes for off-types - subproject A (HeiNO)
Project
Project code: 281D124A21
Contract period: 01.03.2023
- 30.04.2026
Budget: 246,335 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: crop production, fruit production, plant breeding, berry fruit
Blueberries are becoming increasingly popular mainly due to their health-promoting ingredients, which is reflected in the growing production area in Germany and worldwide. For some years now, a further expansion of the domestic cultivation area has been hindered by a problem, which consists in non-genuine plant material, so-called off-types. These plants differ in habit and yield from the true-to-type plants. The reason for the occurrence of these off-types, which have been observed at many German growers, is as yet unknown, but poses a massive threat to domestic cultivation. The aim of this project is therefore to investigate possible causes of the off-types. On the one hand, the causes could be viruses and on the other hand, the off-types could originate in in vitro propagation. This type of propagation may lead to epigenetic changes or phytohormone accumulation, resulting in altered phenotypes. In addition to identifying the causes of off-types, the project also aims to lay the foundation for the development of markers that can be used to detect off-types at an early stage. Derived from this, recommendations for their avoidance are to be developed. Thus, the HeiNo project has the following objectives: - Identification of the causes for off-types in blueberries. - Development of markers for off-types on propagation material - Development of recommendations for good propagation practices for blueberries - Establish protocols for detecting the most economically important viruses in blueberries. With efficient planting material, blueberry production in Germany could be maintained and expanded. Blueberries produced in the southern hemisphere have a significantly worse ecological balance with regard to pesticide use, cooling requirements and transport. The strengthening of regional supply chains associated with regional production yields energy savings effects and strengthens resilience in the supply of high-quality food.
Section overview
Subjects
- Plant Breeding
- Arboriculture
Funding programme
Excutive institution
Funding institution
Project management agencies
Associated projects: HeiNO
- Collaborative project: Safeguarding high-quality and healthy propagation material of blueberry by identification of causes for off-types - subproject B
- Collaborative project: Safeguarding high-quality and healthy propagation material of blueberry by identification of causes for off-types - subproject C