Variability of morphological features of uliginose blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum L.) in Central and Southern Yakutia

Uliginose blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum L.) is widespread in Yakutia and is widely used by the population as vitamin culture. Studying the variabil-ity of signs of efficiency for the subsequent selec-tion of forms in culture was the purpose of re-searches. 16 cenopopulations in Central and South Yakutia were studied. Sparse light coniferous larch and pine forests with highly humid soils are phytocenotic optimum of its growth. Throughout the area of research endogenous, individual, ecological and geographical variability of generative and vege-tative bodies were revealed. The greatest variability was shown by the signs: the number of berries on one bush (30.1 %), the length and width of a sheet plate (30.9 and 29.3 % respectively). The smallest was the mass of berry (14 %), the height of the fructifying bushes (14.9 %). The greatest number of berries on one bush (9.2±0.03) and the maximum weight (0.64±0.06 g) were noted in a cowberry larch forest; the smallest amount of berries (3.3±0.06) and the minimum weight (0.27±0.05 g) in a fir grove. The size of berries was characterized by average variability. The largest fruits were noted in larch forest, the increase in the sizes occurred in the direction from the northeast to the southwest. The extent of fructification in populations was esti-mated as average and good (3-4). Weak and aver-age extent of fructification (2-3) was noted in dark-coniferous forests. In the conditions of culture of a botanical garden uliginose blueberry did not fructify though a number of samples reached 6-year age. In wild-growing populations the height of bushes of uliginose blueberry had direct correlation link with age. The age of bushes of the fructifying thickets changed from 3 to 20 years (with the height from 0.15 to 0.7 m). The correlation coefficient in popula-tions made from 0.2 to 0.61 with an accuracy of experience (R) of 1.6-4.4 %. Introduction to culture of uliginose blueberry needs further studying and the development of agrotechnical methods of culti-vation.