Analysis of genetic stability in the ex vitro rooted microcuttings of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

During plant propagation changes in genetic stability may occur, not only during the in vitro multiplication but also in the ex vitro conditions in response to the sum of stress factors affecting plants. It is therefore necessary to evaluate planting material in terms of its genetic stability. The aim of the work was to assess by the RAPD method genetic stability of the ex vitro rooted blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Bluecrop’ and ‘Duke’) microcuttings. Also an effect of biostimulator Goteo (0.2%) on rhizogenesis was tested as compared to the auxin indole-3-butyric acid IBA (50 mg·l–1) applied as water solution and a commercial rooting powder Rhizopon AA containing 1% IBA. All the rooting stimulators improved the percentage and degree of rooting in blueberry microcuttings. The biostimulator gave results only slightly poorer than the auxin. Both cultivars were genetically stable and no DNA polymorphism was found between the traditionally propagated stock plants growing in a nursery and those rooted in vivo, regardless of the rooting enhancer used.