Breeding report of a new blueberry cultivar Pearl blue

Northern Highbush Blueberry has a long history of breeding and industrial development, and is currently the most widely cultivated species group in the world. The breeding new cultivars of Northern Highbush Blueberry is of great significance to the development of China’s blueberry industry. Pearl blue is a new cultivar of Northern Highbush Blueberry selected from natural hybrid seedlings of Blue gold. 196 seeds were obtained in June of 2010, and they were sowed in 2011, and the seedlings started to bear fruits in 2015. After selection, the superior individual was designated as SMN463. The excellent characteristics of the SMN463 were impressive, such as vigorous plant growth, small and dry picking scar, good firmness, pleasant fragrance and good flavor, and high sugar and low acidity. In April 2024, the SMN463 was approved by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration as Pearl blue. This cultivar had upright form, strong vigor, and elliptical leaves. The fruit clusters were medium dense, and the fruit wax is medium thick. The fruit color was medium blue, and the firmness of the fruits was hard. The largest fruit was 2.48 g, and the average single fruit weigh was 2.32 g. The fruits flavor was very good. The soluble solid content was 17.2%. The fruits of Pearl Blue began ripening in late June. The cultivar was highly resistant to cold.