MICROPROPAGATION OF LOWBUSH BLUEBERRY (VACCINIUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM)

Blueberry is an early-ripening fruit crop, which is of interest due to its rich biochemical composition, including mineral salts, organic compounds, vitamins and other, which have an important role for the physiological processes running in the organism. The efforts during the last years have been directed to enlargement of genetic diversity in this species, using different biotechnological approaches. Their successful and effective application is connected with study of the generative potential of the species and use of the most suitable plant explants for propagation, which preserve its genetic stability. The choice of blueberry as an object of this study was based on the interest for this crop, which is commercial and scientific. The study presents the possibility for micropropagation of lowbush blueberry cultivar Dwarf Tophat on WPM basal nutrient medium. The highest proliferation coefficient (3.1) during the stage of multiplication was reached at the fifth passage of subculturing on WPM, supplemented with 2 mg/L zeatin and 3 mg/L 2-ip. The best rooting ability (85.53 %) was obtained on WPM, with a salt concentration reduced by half and addition of 0.2 mg/L NAA. The obtained clonal plants were vigorous, in a good physiological state and successfully rooted and adapted to the environmental conditions.