Small fruit gene bank

Abstract

Small fruit Gene Bank, as a part of Slovenian plant gene bank (SRGB) includes monitoring and evaluating of autochthonous small fruit plants in situ; collecting and evaluating of autochthonous small fruit plants in the experimental orchard of the Agricultural Institute of Slovenia at Brdo pri Lukovici; collecting of old and new varieties and researches on autochthonous plant material. Autochthonous small fruit plants are collected throughout Slovenia. Selected types of plants and the locations are described and evaluated on the basis of descriptors. For transplantation of plants in to the collection and for further evaluation we decide on the base of parameters. Old and new varieties of small fruits are intended for education and as potential breeding material. All varieties are supply with standard technologies. On the selected varieties of small fruits the annually monitoring of phenology development, fertility and sensitivity of plants to pests and external influences is carried out. In 2012 in experimental stations of Agricultural Institute of Slovenia at Brdo pri Lukovici (0.8 ha) and Drenov grič (2.5 ha) we had 60 varieties of strawberries, 29 varieties of raspberries, 2 varieties of black raspberries, 7 varieties of blackberries, 2 crosses between raspberries and blackberries, more than 50 varieties and selections of black currant, 13 varieties of red currants, 6 varieties of white currants, 14 varieties of gooseberries, 1 cross between black currant and gooseberries, 50 varieties of highbush blueberries and 20 seedlings and hybrids of blueberries, one lingonberry and one large American cranberry. The collections also include other, less-known types of small fruit. More than 270 varieties, types and selections with over 600 shrubs and 300 plants of strawberry bushes are included in collection. On autochthonous planting material and older varieties of collections we held researches on morphological properties of autochthonous raspberries types, monitoring of viruses in autochthonous and cultivated raspberries and study of genetic markers and phenolic compounds in fruits of bilberries.