PROPAGATION AND TISSSUE CULTURE Received for publication: 16 June, 2010. Accepted for publication: 29 June, 2012. 1 Laboratory Bioplasma, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia (UPTC). Tunja (Colombia). leidyrache@yahoo.com Agronomía Colombiana 30(2), 196-203, 2012 Development of a germination protocol for blueberry seeds (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz) Establecimiento de un protocolo para germinación de semillas de agraz (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz) Camilo Castro1, Yamile Olarte1, Leidy Rache1, and José Pacheco1 ABSTRACT RESUMEN The blueberry is a plant with potential for national and inter- national markets because its fruits have food and medicinal uses and it is an important source of sugars, antioxidants, vi- tamins and minerals. We developed a germination protocol of blueberry seeds, morphologically characterized the seeds, and assessed germination in vitro in four culture media (MS 1/3, 1/8 y 1/16 and distilled water) and ground mulch for ex vitro ger- mination, taking into account: light conditions, temperature, seed storage periods and fruit ripening stage. We also assessed the hardening of the seedlings germinated in vitro in substrates with and without ground mulch. Our results showed fruits with little seeds with 1.27±0.11 mm for length and 0.784±0.08 mm for width; and big seeds with 1.61±0.14 mm for length and 1.03±0.10 mm for width. The optimal conditions for seed germination were: in vitro culture using distilled water, continu- ous light and a temperature of 18±2°C, using stored seeds of a period less than one week from ripe fruits. The hardening and development of the seedlings was better using ground mulch. Source photographic Figs. 1-3: Castro, C., Y. Olarte, L. Rache, and J. Pacheco. El agraz es una planta con potencial en los mercados nacionales e internacionales debido a que sus frutos tienen usos alimen- ticios, medicinales y son una fuente importante de azúcares, antioxidantes, vitaminas y minerales. Se estableció un pro- tocolo de germinación de semillas de agraz, caracterizando morfológicamente las semillas y evaluando su germinación in vitro en cuatro medios de cultivo (MS 1/3, 1/8 y 1/16 y agua destilada) y en tierra de capote para su germinación ex vitro, teniendo en cuenta: condiciones de iluminación, temperatura, periodos de almacenamiento de semillas y estado de madurez del fruto. Además, se evaluó el endurecimiento de las plántu- las procedentes de semillas germinadas in vitro en sustratos con y sin tierra de capote. Los datos obtenidos indicaron que los frutos contienen semillas pequeñas de 1,27±0,11 mm de largo por 0,784±0,08 de ancho y grandes de 1,61±0,14 mm de largo por 1,03±0,10 mm de ancho. Las condiciones óptimas para germinación de semillas fueron: cultivo in vitro en agua destilada, con iluminación continua y temperatura de 18±2ºC, utilizando semillas almacenadas durante un periodo menor a una semana y provenientes de frutos muy maduros. El sustrato tierra de capote fue más adecuado para el endurecimiento y desarrollo de plántulas. Key words: in vitro, ex vitro, hardening, promising fruit. Palabras clave: in vitro, ex vitro, endurecimiento, frutales promisorios. Introduction Vaccinium meridionale, known in Colombia as blueberry, belongs to the Ericacea family. It occurs in Jamaica, Ven- ezuela, Colombia and Peru; growing at 1,800 (Toro et al., 2002) to 3,500 m above sea level (m a.s.l.) (Avila et al., 2007). V. meridionale is abundant in forests of pine and cypress, presenting an excellent development in acid soils with mycorrhizal associations (Arjona, 2001). This species has a huge potential for the market because its fruits are an important source of sugar, antioxidants, vitamins B and C and minerals such as potassium, calcium and phosphorus. This fruits are used commercially (i.e. juices, jams, among others), medicinally (control of diabetes and digestive problems) in general by people and is a key- stone species in restoration processes and soil remediation (Vallejo, 2000; Magnitskiy and Ligarreto, 2007; Avila et al., 2007; Rache and Pacheco, 2010). Under natural conditions, the processes of seed germina- tion and seedling development of the genus Vaccinium are hampered by several factors such as fluctuating humid- ity, temperature and light; generating long germination processes and low numbers of seedlings (Baskin et al., 2000). For satisfying the demand for seedling production 197Castro, Olarte, Rache, and Pacheco: Development of a germination protocol for Blueberry seeds (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz) of Vaccinium, due to the fact that the organoleptic and nu- tritional properties of the fruit have attracted great interest in the establishment of commercial crops, it is necessary to develop new procedures for production of vegetative materials of this species. Few studies have been reported on propagation from sexual seeds of this genus. Studies on V. myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea (Baskin et al., 2000), and V. reticulatum (Yoshinaga, 1998) are known. On the other hand, for V. meridionale, there are no known in vitro studies on seed germination. Currently, only some aspects have been studied about the morphol- ogy, anatomy and germination of the seeds (Valencia and Ramírez, 1993) and the effect of nitrate potassium, gib- berellic acid and indoleacetic acid on the germination of Colombian blueberry seeds under controlled conditions (Magnitskiy and Ligarreto, 2007). In this study, a protocol for the germination conditions in vitro and ex vitro of Colombian blueberry seeds is reported for the first time, and appropriate conditions for the hard- ening of seedlings in a greenhouse were identified. Materials and methods Seeds. Used in the different tests were obtained from blueberry fruits collected from plants in the municipality of Ráquira (Boyacá Department). All samples were car- ried to the plants tissue culture laboratory (Bioplasma) at Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia (UPTC) in Tunja c ity. Fruit pulps were fermented for 48 h to extract the seeds. To prevent contamination with fungi, all seed sets were cleaned for 10 min with Carboxamide + Dithiocarbamate (Vitavax®) solution at 1 g L-1 with constant shaking. After that, we assessed the seed condition using a stereoscope, discarding the empty and smaller seeds. Finally, the selected seeds were collected in glass contain- ers and kept at ambient temperature (15-18°C daytime and 9-12°C nighttime). Based on a set of 200 fresh extracted seeds, an amorpho- logical analysis was carried out using an optic microscope (objective of 3.2, ocular x10 and micrometer). We assessed features such as: length, width, color, shape, and seed shell texture. Furthermore, we took 100 fruits at random in or- der to determine the mean diameter of the fruit and mean amount of seeds per fruit. Subsequently, the germination of the blueberry seeds was tested both in vitro and ex vitro as well as seedling hardening. In vitro germination. Seed surface disinfection was car- ried out in a laminar flow chamber as follows: rinsed with Tween® 20 solution (0.1%) for one min with constant shak- ing, rinsed with ethanol 70% (v/v) for one min, dipped in a mixed solution of sodium hypochlorite (0.525% w/v) and Tween® 20 for 15 min, and finally two consecutive rinses with sterile distilled water. We carried out six tests as shown (Tab. 1). The best process- ing for each test, that is the one that showed the highest percentage of germination and the least time of germina- tion on the basis of the assessed variables (culture media, light conditions, seed storage, temperatures and state of fruit maturity), was used in the next test and so on, in order to determine the five most suitable conditions for seed germination. For each in vitro germination test, 600 seeds were randomly taken (big between 1.61 mm in length and 1.03 mm in width and small between 1.27 mm in length and 0.784 mm in width) and seeded in 12 glass bottles of 100 mL, with 50 seeds each. Each test was repeated two times. The culture medium used was MS (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) with macroelements at 1/3 (Rache and Pacheco, 2010), 1/8 and 1/16 of its original concentration (NH4NO3: 1650 mg L-1, KNO3: 1900 mg L-1, KH2PO4: 170 mg L-1, CaCl2H2O: 440 mg L-1 and MgSO4.7H2O: 370 mg L-1). The medium was adjusted to pH 5.8 and autoclaved 15 nain at 15 psi (121ºC). In the first test, the germination in 4 different culture media was assessed: sterile distilled water, MS 1/16, MS 1/8, MS 1/3 and ground-mulch (forest humus, Tab. 1). In each culture medium, the seeds taken from very ripe fruit (referred fruit color) with one week of stored were seeded. These were kept with continuous light at 18±2°C. After five weeks, for each container with seeds seeded on MS, 2 mL of sterile distilled water was added. In the second test, the germination was assessed under 3 light conditions: continuous light, 16 h photoperiod (70- 80 μmol m² s-1; both provided by 75 W Silvana lamps) and darkness. Based on the results of the first test, the seeds were seeded in sterile distilled water; the other variables (temperature, seed storage and mature fruits) were the same as the first test (Tab. 1). In the third test, germination was evaluated taking into ac- count three periods of seed storage: one, four and 16 weeks under environmental laboratory conditions. The seeds were seeded in sterile, distilled water, were kept in continuous light with a temperature of 18±2°C; and seeds extracted from fruits very ripe were used (Tab. 1). 198 Agron. Colomb. 30(2) 2012 of about 0.7 cm, colorless, undeveloped and without root hairs were replanted in each substrate in polystyrene trays (17 x 17 x 4 cm). The trays with seedling were covered with extensible, perforated paper and incubated for 12 weeks (in an incubation room) at a temperature of 22±2°C, with continuous illumination and irrigated every 48 h. In this study, we quantified features such as: percentage of viable seedlings, number of leaves, number of internodes, and seedling length. After 12 weeks, the seedlings that reached a length between 3 and 4 cm, with 8 to 10 short internodes and 10 to 13 leaves were transferred to a greenhouse. Once transferred to a greenhouse, after one week, the extensible paper was gradually retired from the trays. Subsequently, the seedlings were replanted in 8 x 15 cm plastic bags with substrate 3 (land: sand: rice hulls, 2:1:1), and irrigated weekly. After 12 weeks, we quantified the percentage of viable seedlings and the number and length increase of axillary shoots. Statistical analysis. The set of experiments was conducted using a completely randomized design (DCA). The obtained data were analyzed by ANOVA and the F-test using the statistical package Statgraphics® Plus Professional version 2.0 for Windows. When the ANOVA showed differences, a DHS Tukey test (Honestly Significant Difference) was applied with a confidence level of 95%. In the fourth test, we assessed the effects of four tem- peratures: 6, 18, 22 and 29±2°C, the seeds were seeded in sterile, distilled water and with continuous light. We used seeds stored for 1 week and extracted from very ripe fruits (Tab. 1). In the fifth test, seeds from fruits in three maturity stages were used: immature (stage 1), mature (stage 2) and very ripe (state 3; Fig. 1, Tab. 1). The seeds were seeded in sterile, distilled water, with continuous light, a temperature of 18±2°C and stored for 1 week (Tab. 1). In the sixth test, the best assessed conditions were de- termined for the five above tests, taking into account the highest germination percentage and the least time of ger- mination; namely: sterile, distilled water, seeds extracted from very mature fruit, stored for 1 week, with continuous light and a temperature of 18±2°C (Tab. 1). Ex vitro germination. 600 seeds were planted in six poly- styrene trays (17 x 17 x 4 cm), with ground-mulch and kept under greenhouse conditions (75-85% RH, day and nighttime mean temperatures of 18 and 12ºC, respectively). In both in vitro and ex vitro germination tests, the seeds were considered germinated when the radicle length reached 2 mm. We assessed the beginning of the germina- tion (day when the first seed germinates) and its end (last day on which germinated seeds were recorded) and we calculated the total percentage of germination (PTG). The mean germination time (TMG) was calculated according to the equation 1 proposed by Thompson (1970): TMG = ∑ niti / ∑ni (1) where, ti is the time elapsed in the culture and ni the number of germinated seeds in the time interval ti - ti-1. We also recorded the period from seeding to the fall of the seed shell and cotyledon release. At the end of this period, the length of the germinated seedlings, the presence of root hairs, and the color of the hypocotyl and cotyledon were recorded. Seedling hardening. We assessed the effect of three sub- strates carrying out replicates of each one: • Only soil with abundant organic matter • Land and soil with abundant organic matter, 3:1 • Land, sand, and rice hulls, 2:1:1 From 200 vigorous seedlings of 1.0 to 1.5 cm of height which showed features such as fibrous roots, with a length TABLE 1. Tests for germination of Colombian blueberry seeds. Treatments tested Test Suitable conditions1 2 3 4 5 6 Culture medium Sterile distilled water X X X X X X X MS/16 X MS/8 X MS/3 X Ground-mulch X Light conditions Continuous light X X X X X X X 16 h photoperiod X Darkness X Seed storage (weeks) One X X X X X X X Four X 16 X Temperature (ºC) 6 ± 2 X 18 ± 2 X X X X X X X 22 ± 2 X 29 ± 2 X State of maturity of fruit Immature X Mature X Very mature X X X X X X X 199Castro, Olarte, Rache, and Pacheco: Development of a germination protocol for Blueberry seeds (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz) FIGURE 1. Colombian blueberry fruits at different stages of maturity. A, immature (state 1, green fruits); B, mature (stage 2, purple fruit); C, very mature (state 3, dark purple or black fruit). A B C TABLE 2. Size classes and number of seeds per Colombian blueberry fruit. Size classes Length (mm) Width (mm) Seeds per fruit Min Mean Max Min Mean Max Min Mean Max Small 1.0 1.27±0.11 1.44 0.44 0.784±0.08 0.9 0 13.69 46 Big 1.44 1.61±0.14 2.21 0.9 1.03±0.10 1.35 0 14.59 39 FIGURE 2. Chronological development of the germination process of Colombian blueberry seeds. a and b: after day 14 of the culture, emer- gence of the radicle and hypocotyl elongation. c and d: after day 21, hypocotyl arcing formation and hypocotyl elongation. e and f: after day 28, hypocotyl arch straightens and cotyledons expand and begin roo- ting and g: after day 35 of the culture, seed coat falls, cotyledon leaves unfold and become green. FIGURE 3. a, b and c. Seedlings from newly germinated seeds. a. Seedlings from small seeds (size one: 0.5 to 1.0 cm), b. Seedlings from big seeds (size two: 1.0 to 1.5 cm), c. Etiolated seedlings, these were gterminated from seeds in continuous darkness (size three: 1.5 to 2.0 cm). d, e and f. Seedlings germinated in different substrates: d. Substrate with abundant organic matter (1), e. Land: Substrate with abundant organic matter, 3: 1 (2) and f. Land: Sand: Rice hulls, 2:1:1 (3). Notice the differences in length and leaf development of seedlings in a substrate with abundant organic matter. a b c d e f a b c d e f g Results Morphological analysis showed four Colombian blueberry seed shapes: oblong or ovoid, elliptical, orbed, and apiculate, with predominance from the oblong-elliptical shape (60%). Given its size, a seed can be classified into two distinct groups: small with a mean dimension of 1.27 by 0.78 mm and big of 1.61 by 1.03 mm. In total, each fruit had 28 seeds (13.69 small ones and 14.59 big ones) on average (Tab. 2); the fruits had a diameter from 7 to 11 mm with 28 seeds on average (maximum 64 and minimum 7). In vitro germination. The results obtained in the germina- tion test are shown in Tab. 3. In the first test, the total percentage of germination (TPG) and mean germination time (MGT) quantified in seeds cul- tured in different media and in a substrate with abundant organic matter showed differences that were statistically significant (P≤0,05). The highest TPG was obtained in seeds cultured in sterile, distilled water followed by MS/16 200 Agron. Colomb. 30(2) 2012 and MS/8, with a germinative expression embryo capac- ity inversely proportional to the concentration of salts in the medium. Furthermore, the MGT in sterile, distilled water was the shortest (35.35 d), germination began at 14 d and ended at day 56, whereas in the ex vitro treat- ment with a substrate with abundant organic matter the MGT was 67.03 d, and germination began at day 35 and finished at day 126. In the second test, the light conditions positively affected the TPG (P≤0.05) but not the MGT, with continuous light giving a MGT shorter (34.38 d) than in darkness (45.51 d). Germination began in continuous light and the photope- riod of 16 h at day 14 and in darkness at day 21 since these was cultured, whereas germination finished after day 84 in continuous light and at day 105 in the other photoperiod and darkness. In the third test, the different periods of seed storage sig- nificantly influenced the TPG (P≤0.05), which decreased drastically as the storage period increased. On the other hand, the MGT values were not affected by storage periods. The germination in seeds stored for 1 and 4 weeks began at d 14 of the culture and for 16 weeks, it began at day 21. In seeds stored for 1, 4 and 16 weeks, germination finished between days 91 and 98. TABLE 3. In vitro germination of Colombian blueberry seeds with different physical and chemical conditions. Treatments tested Onset of germination time (d ) End of germination time (d) TPG (%) MGT (d) Culture medium Sterile distilled water 14 56 640.00 c 35.35 a MS/16 42 105 63.50 c 61.01 c MS/8 42 105 63.00 c 64.28 d MS/3 42 77 48.00 b 58.48 b Substrate with abundant organic matter 35 126 20.60 a 67.03 e Light conditions Continuous light 14 84 62.6 NS 34.38 a 16 h photoperiod 14 105 67.16 NS 36.03 a Darkness 21 105 50.75 NS 45.51 b Seed storage (weeks) One 14 98 72.66 c 36.94 NS Four 14 91 37.50 b 38.24 NS 16 21 98 22.00 a 39.86 NS Temperature (ºC) 6 ± 2 28 112 54.66 b 65.52 c 18 ± 2 14 91 81.00 c 33.50 a 22 ± 2 14 91 60.50 b 35.96 a 29 ± 2 14 119 10.83 a 58.62 b State of maturity of fruit Immature 21 84 66.66 a 43.86 b Mature 14 105 80.16 b 42.97 b Very mature 14 84 83.50 b 33.26 a In the fourth test, the data showed an significant effect of the temperature on the TPG and MGT (P≤0.05); 18ºC showed the least performance of TPG and MGT than the others values assessed, in which TPG decreased and MGT was longer. The germination began at day 14 in treatments of 18, 22, and 29±2°C, and at day 28 for the treatment of 6±2°C. In seeds cultured at 18, 22 and 29±2°C, the germi- nation finished between days 91 and 119 and for 6±2°C, it finished at day 112. In the fifth test, the seeds obtained from fruits in any of the three stages of maturity reached TPG up to 65%. Significant differences were obtained between TPG and MGT (P≤0.05) (Tab. 3), showing a positive correlation with the TPG and a negative relationship with the MGT. The germination began at day 14 in seeds of fruits in the 2nd and 3rd maturity states and day 21 in the 1st maturity state. In seeds of fruits of the first and third states, the germination finished at day 84and with the second maturity stage, at day 105; we observed that the seeds of fruits in the third maturity stage began and finished germination faster than the other stages. TPG, total percentage of germination; MGT, mean ger- mination time. Different letters within a column indicate significant difference (P≤0.05). NS, Not significant. 201Castro, Olarte, Rache, and Pacheco: Development of a germination protocol for Blueberry seeds (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz) According to Valencia and Ramírez (1993), blueberry seeds show epigeal germination. In appropriate physicochemical conditions, the germination process begins with the emer- gence of the radicle between 14 and 21 d of culture and the cotyledon leaves are observed after 35 d (Fig. 2). When the seed coat falls, the hypocotyl and cotyledon leaves exhibit a green color that changes to red. The roots were colorless, tiny, undeveloped and without root hairs. Newly germinated seedlings reached a length between 0.5 and 2.0 cm and can be grouped as follows: from 0.5 to 1.0 cm (seedlings from small seeds, size 1, Fig. 3a), 1.0 to 1.5 cm (seedlings from big seeds, size 2, and Fig. 3b) and etiolated seedlings of 1.5 to 2.0 cm (size 3, Fig. 3c). Seedlings of the third size were obtained in treatments for germination in continuous darkness, showing elongated hypocotyl, a coty- ledon leaf with limited development and almost complete absence of chlorophyll (yellowish seedlings). These abnor- mal characteristics disappeared when etiolated seedlings were exposed to light conditions, but some did not recover the color and died. Seedling Hardening. After 12 weeks in the incubation room, the viability percentage was higher in seedlings transplanted to substrate one (94%) than substrates two (36%) and three (44%). We found significant differences among the three assessed treatments, the seedlings trans- planted to substrate 1 had the highest means in all the quantified variables (Tab. 4). After 12 weeks in the greenhouse, seedlings showed vigor- ous growth with 99.5% of viability with a mean production of 1.12±1.39 of shoots and an increase in mean length of 4.31±2 cm. Among the substrates used for hardening, the substrate with abundant organic matter showed a strong superiority in feasibility and development of seedlings than the other tested substrates (Fig. 3d, e and f). Discussion The size and shape variation observed in the Colombian blueberry seeds agrees with that reported by Valencia and Ramírez (1993) for this species. According to Dalling (2002), the variety of seeds of a species is the result of a series of adjustments to achieve a successful dispersion as well as of the seed space limitations for its development inside the fruit. Therefore, the form of the blueberry seeds is related to space limitations within the fruit, with it being common to find a lot of seeds (X= 27 per fruit) in relatively small fruits (7 to 11 mm in diameter). Besides, according to Dalling (2002), fruits with several seeds have a higher likelihood of having at least one viable mature seed. McGinley (1993) indicates that environmental conditions can affect the number of seeds per plant and but not the size. On the other hand, Dalling (2002) states that intra- specific variation of the seed size may be due to the number of seeds produced per fruit and particular environmental conditions. According to Correa (2002), seeds of this species could be classified as not affected by light because they germinate in light and dark conditions. However, the differences between TPG and MGT quantified in continuous light, photoperiod and continuous darkness, indicate that the light factor af- fects the germination process. In turn, Finch and Leubner (2006) show that in most seeds, the germination is faster in conditions of light due to the presence of phytochrome in the seed embryonary axis. This pigment is presented two ways in the seed, Pr (P660) is inactive and Prf (P730) which induces germination. The TPG for the Colombian blueberry was similar to that reported in previous studies in other species of the same genus such as V. myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea (TPG of 62 to 100%) in the presence of light and a temperature of 10 to 20°C (Baskin et al., 2000). Vadillo et al. (2004) highlighted the temperature and moisture of stored seeds as relevant variables to maintain seed viability. Clearly, laboratory storage conditions are not suitable for seed maintenance for over a week, because when the storage period is prolonged, viability decreases. This decrease can be related, according to Correa (2002), to the seminal deterioration during the storage, which produces strong changes in enzymatic amount and activity, degrading the nutritional reserves; according to Pérez and Martínez (1994), because of alterations in the substances responsible of metabolism. These effects may be related TABLE 4. Effects of substrate type on seedling viability, length, production of leaves and internodes. Substrate type Viability (%) Leaves per seedling Internodes per seedling Length (cm) per seedling 1 94 c 10.77±4.29 c 8.68±2.93 c 2.58±1.13 b 2 36 a 6.15±1.92 b 3.77±1.90 b 0.68±0.32 a 3 44 b 4.47±1.59 a 2.27±1.61 a 0.46±0.36 a Different letters within a column indicate significant difference (P≤0.05). 202 Agron. Colomb. 30(2) 2012 to the constant metabolic activity inside the seeds in the conditions of the study, which somehow, negatively influ- enced the process of seed germination of blueberries stored longer than one week. In previous studies carried out by Medina and Lobo (2006), the Colombian blueberry was quantified in greenhouse conditions with 70% germination in seeds stored for four months in a cold room at 0°C and humidity of 5%, after 60 d of culture; Magnitskiy and Ligarreto (2007) in the same species, quantified 29 and 38% germination in seeds without pretreatment (seeds without imbibition in solutions with 200-500 mg L-1 of potassium nitrate or gibberellic acid) and stored during 30 d at 5°C, within the fruit or not, after 35 d of culture. Yoshinaga (1998) recorded seeds of V. reticulatum with a good germination percentage after a storage period of 6 to 12 months to 1.1°C. Obviously, temperature proved to be the most influential physical factor on blueberry seed germination. Its effect is due to the ability to influence the activity of enzymes that regulate the rate of biochemical reactions that occur inside the seed after its rehydration. In blueberry seeds, 18°C was the most suitable temperature at which the enzyme activity was carried out efficiently, stimulating the highest percentage of germination. We found that seeds exposed to 29±2°C showed a relative dormancy and that a transfer to a temperature of 22±2°C, rebooted their germination. The physiological maturation of seeds is related to the PTG (Correa, 2002). With the results obtained in this study, we evidenced a clear relationship between fruit maturity and seed physiological maturity. This result agrees with Ote- gui et al. (2007), due to the fact that the germination rate increases with fruit maturity. Bridgen (2001) highlights the importance of finding the optimum state for seed collection, because an immature embryo does not have an accurate development. However, some seeds are able to germinate long before reaching full maturity (Correa, 2002). The PTG obtained in seeds from green blueberry fruit showed an early ripening even with an immature appearance. During seedling hardening, it was observed that the com- position of the substrate is an important factor for the de- velopment of the cauline and radical. Clearly, the substrate with abundant organic matter was the most suitable for hardening of Colombian blueberry seedlings. These results can be associated with the features found in this kind of substrate such as high porosity, high water retention, good aeration, low pH and fine texture along with mycorrhi- zae, largely responsible for seedling vigor (Valencia and Ramírez, 1993). Furthermore, these characteristics are part of the natural ground where Colombian blueberry grows (subparamo and paramo) (Rangel, 2000). Moreover, the feasibility of Colombian blueberry seedlings in the substrate with abundant organic matter during hardening is probably due to the facility to develop a fibrous, thin, shallow root system that is characterized by a shortage of root hairs (Malik and Cawthon, 1998). This helps to anchor and expand the roots among the fine particles. The protocol effectiveness of our work for hardening of Colombian blueberry seedlings was evidenced by the high proportion (99.5%) of viable seedlings with vigorous devel- opment characterized by an adequate number of axillary shoots with sufficient elongation. Conclusions The optimum conditions for in vitro germination of Co- lombian blueberry seeds were: use of sterile, distilled water, continuous illumination and a temperature of 18±2°C, seeds stored for 1 to 7 d and from very mature fruit. The ex vitro establishment and development of Colombian blueberry seedlings was successful when a substrate with abundant organic matter was used. Acknowledgments The authors thank the Universidad Pedagógica y Tecno- lógica de Colombia-Direction of Investigation and the municipality of Tinjacá (Boyacá Department, Colombia) for financial support for the development of this research and the members of the Research Group Bioplasma-UPTC for their continued collaboration. Literature cited Arjona, B. 2001. El mortiño o agraz (Vaccinium meridionale, Eri- cacea): como planta promisoria en la región del Parque Arví (Antioquia, Colombia). In: Seminario de Plantas Promisorias. Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Medellin (Colombia). Ávila, H., J. Cuspoca, G. Fischer, G. Ligarreto, and M. Quicazán. 2007. Caracterización fisicoquímica y organoléptica del fruto de agraz (Vaccinium meridionale Sw) almacenado 1 a 2 °C. Rev. Fac. Nal. Agron. Medellin 60(2), 4179-4193. Baskin, C., P. Milberg, L. Andersson, and J. Baskin. 2000. 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