Breeding of a new blueberry cultivar Yinglan

The new blueberry cultivar Yinglan is a northern highbush blueberry that has been developed from seedlings of the Bonus cultivar. In July 2010, seeds from the Bonus cultivar were collected from the Dalian Senmao Modern Agriculture Co., Ltd. Blueberry Germplasm Resource Nursery. In the spring of 2011, these seeds were sown at the same company, resulting in 178 seedlings. In the spring of 2012, these were planted at Dalian Pushi Blue Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. In early July 2015, the fruits matured, and an excellent offspring was selected, which was designated as SMN-226. From July 2018 to August 2020, a comprehensive evaluation of excellent strains and their asexual offspring was conducted, showing consistent performance in terms of plant morphology, flowering and fruiting characteristics, fruit yield, and fruit quality, with stable specific traits. In December 2024, this variety was granted plant variety rights by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, and was named Yinglan. This bush cultivar has an upright growth habit with a moderate vigor. The leaves are elongated oval in shape, with an average leaf area of 15.62 cm2 , a leaf shape index of 2.08, and are of a medium green color. The leaf margins are serrated. The average length of the new fruiting branches is 8.33 cm, producing approximately 10 fruits per branch. The fruits are relatively large, with an average horizontal and vertical diameter of 1.98 cm × 1.46 cm. The maximum fruit weight can reach 3.53 g, while the average weight per fruit is 2.90 g. The clusters are dense, and the fruits are flat and round. The thickness of the fruit skin is moderate, with uneven texture, exhibiting a medium level of blue (102-D). The pedicel scar is small and relatively dry. At maturity, the fruit hardness is moderate (2.80 kg · cm- 2 ), and the soluble solid content measured is 12.17%, with a balanced sweet and sour taste. In Dalian, Liaoning Province, fruit ripening begins in early July under the field cultivation condition, marking the early maturing period and classified as a medium-maturing cultivar. This cultivar is characterized by its crisp texture and aromatic flavor, exhibiting good yield potential and is recognized as a high- quality cultivar for fresh consumption. It is suitable for cultivation in regions including north of the middle and lower Yangtze River in China as well as high-altitude areas. Regarding soil conditions, it thrives in loose, deep, fertile, and well-drained sandy loam or loamy soil, where the pH value should be maintained between 4.0 and 5.5, and organic matter content must exceed 3.0%. The planting area should receive a chilling accumulation of 600 to 1200 hours or more. If the soil quality in the planting area is special and requires improvement, an appropriate amount of sulfur powder and acidic materials such as pine needles should be added to lower the pH or increase organic matter content. Black plastic mulch should be laid under the tree canopy and drip irrigation tubes need to be buried beneath the mulch. The optimal spacing for the plants is 1.5 m × 2.0 m. It is recommended to select 2 to 3-year-old potted seedlings or bare-root seedlings for landscaping, with the requirement that the plant height reaches or exceeds 40 cm and the diameter at the base of the main stem reaches or exceeds 0.4 cm. Prior to planting, the land must be prepared, with soil tillage to a depth of 20 cm to 30 cm, and the land should be leveled before planting.