The Fruiting Nursery: Ultrahigh Density for Evaluation of Blueberry and Peach Seedlings1

Approximately 80% of the seedlings of blueberry ( Vaccinium spp.) and 55% of peach [ Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] fruited the 2nd year after seed harvest when grown rapidly at densities of 16 plants/m 2 for blueberry and 8 plants/m 2 for peach. This permits roguing of plants on the basis of fruit characters in the 2nd year from seed harvest (24 months) and evaluation of remaining plants the following year. The fruiting nursery system, based on intensive care of seedlings at ultrahigh densities to achieve rapid growth, is suggested to improve breeding efficiency.