Fertility of 4x × 5x and 5x × 4x Progenies Derived from Vaccinium ashei/corymbosum Pentaploid Hybrids

Abstract

Abstract Percent fruit set, fruit size, total seeds/berry, developed seeds/berry, percent developed seeds/berry, and percent pollen stainability were examined in 4x × 5x and 5x × 4x progenies derived from Vaccinium ashei Reade/ V . corymbosum L. pentaploid hybrids backcrossed to V. corymbosum. All fertility parameters indicated that the BC 1 progenies were more fertile than the pentaploid hybrids. Pollen stainability indicated that the BC 1 derivatives were less fertile than the parental species. All fertility parameters were significantly and negatively correlated with chromosome number, which ranged from the tetraploid (2n = 4x = 48) to pentaploid (2n = 5x = 60) levels within these progenies.