WINTER-HARDINESS TRIALS OF VACCINIUM-CORYMBOSUM L. IN NOVA-SCOTIA

In order to assess cold tolerance in V. corymbosum L. in Nova Scotia, 336 even-aged seedlings from 21 locations (representing five different habitats and six eastern North American floristic regions) were set o ut at the Kentville Research Centre in 1978. Frost damage is largely r estricted to Coastal Plain plants and to a lesser extent the Appalachi an Mountain plants. Principal component analysis indicates that berry weight co-varies negatively with winter-kill and days from the anthesi s until fruit ripening. Hardy plants that flower in early May also nee d the fewest days to produce ripe fruit. Among the 23 early flowering biotypes, six early fruiting biotypes were identified.