Effect of light conditions and temperature on production and quality

1. CLIMATIC EFFECTS ON PRODUCTION AND QUALITY OF BILBERRIES (VACCINIUM MYRTILLUS)Inger Martinussen1, Jens Rohloff2,Eivind Uleberg1, Olavi Junttila3, Anja Hohtola4, Laura Jaakola4 and Hely Häggman4

2. Effect of light conditions and temperature on production and quality • 12 ◦C, 24 h light • 12 ◦C, 24 h light + red light • 12 ◦C, 12 h light • 18 ◦C, 24 h light • 18 ◦C, 24 h light + red light • 18 ◦C, 12 h light • 2 Northern clones • 2 Southern clones

3. Production at 12◦C

4. Production at 18◦C

5. Berries are sweeter at low temperature (P=0.000 for clone and temp)

6. Higher content of acids at low temperature (P=0.000 for clone and temp, P=0.011 for light)

7. Total phenolic content higher in Northern clones (P=0.001)

9. Summary • At 12◦Cthe two Northern clones produced ripe berries 5 weeks after pollination, while the two Southern clones needed an extra two weeks to ripening. • At 18◦C both the Northern and Southern clones had ripe berries from 5 weeks after pollination • Berries produced at 12C had significantly higher % of sugars (sucrose, fructose and glucose), phenolic acids and total phenols than berries produced at 18C • Breeding material should be selected based on evaluation of results achieved from the health benefit compounds of bilberry clones • Environmental effects on berry quality will open the door for breeding specific clones for specific regions.

10. Thank you! • Kirsten Jakobsen • Hermod Nilsen • Svein Erik Olsen • Nordic Innovation Centre • Norwegian Research Council