Blueberry is a promising economic alternative that adapts very well in small farms. Nevertheless, the seedlings price and availability are the major obstacles of this field. Micropropagation is the more successful used technique for blueberry propagation. Therefore, two trials were carried aiming to establish in vitro some cultivars of 'blueberry' (Vaccinium ashei Reade) for further micropropagation. In the first trial, the source of explant of three cultivars was tested (nodal segments from herbaceous and woody branches). In the second trial, seven cultivars were assessed regarding to their explants behavior of herbaceous branches in the presence or non-presence of growth regulator (IAA) in the culture medium. At 7t, 14th and 21st day of cultivation the percentage of fungal and bacterial contamination and explants oxidation percentage were assessed. At 30th and 45th day of cultivation it was evaluated the explants survival and establishment, besides the variables assessed previously. The explants originated from herbaceous branches showed less phenolic oxidation and low percentage of fungal and bacterial contamination, providing high rates of in vitro plant establishment for the cultivars tested. The addition of IAA in the culture medium suited the in vitro establishment of blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade).
Vaccinium ashei; small fruits; nodal segment; growth regulator; micropropagation
