Abstract
Micropropagation of two clones of rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium virgatum Aiton) developed for leaf tea production was investigated for supply in high quantities to plantations and plant factories. Shoots of a new cultivar, ‘Kunisato 35 Gou’, were multiplied efficiently on MW, a mixture of equal parts of MS and WPM, supplemented with 20 μM zeatin by using 2-node segments. For No. 19, another promising clone, 5-node segments were the most productive for shoot multiplication. Among basal media tested for micropropagation, MW medium was found to be the most efficient. Although shoots of ‘Kunisato 35 Gou’ grew better in vitro than those of No. 19, both clones had equivalent rooting abilities. More than 90% of the shoots rooted and survived in vermiculite after culturing in Gellan gum-solidified rooting medium without plant growth regulators. The growth of shoots with roots in pots was significantly influenced by the potting soil. The plantlets in the soils mixed with peat moss, which made the soil acid, grew vigorously, while those in the soils without peat moss grew moderately or poorly, depending on soil type.
