Progress 07/01/03 to 06/30/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: During the five-year project, the principal investigator conducted 20 presentations or workshops for a wide array of consumer groups, including public and private forest land managers, established and prospective farmers, and the general public. Seven of those presentations were invited and were given at agroforestry and horticulture workshops in British Columbia. In addition, six presentations were made at regional, national, and international research conferences. Numerous interviews and stories in the popular press generated much interest in growing or managing huckleberries. Two websites sponsored by the University of Idaho and Oregon State University generated 57,469 and 269,529 visits during the period November 1, 2007 - October 30 2008, not all of those visits being related directly to this project. PARTICIPANTS: Danny L. Barney, Professor of Horticulture at the University of Idaho, was the sole principal investigator during the reporting period. He received technical support from members of the Western Huckleberry and Bilberry Association, Dr. Paul McDaniel of the University of Idaho, Drs. Chad Finn and Robert Martin of the U.S.D.A Horticultural Crops Research Laboratory in Corvallis, Oregon, and blueberry farmer Stan Urmann of Laclede, Idaho. Omar Lopez worked on this project from 2004-2006 as an MS candidate at the University of Idaho. During 2007, recent MS graduate Jennifer Jensen assisted in propagation and evaluation of huckleberries and bilberries and received extensive training in micropropagation of woody plants. Many private individuals and public officials received training in issues relating to management of wild colonies and field production of these crops. TARGET AUDIENCES: Our target audience is broad, including the U.S. Forest Service and State Departments of Lands and Natural Resources in the northwestern United States; private forest managers; legislators in the northwestern United States; established and prospective fruit growers; fruit processors; fruit brokers and marketers; and tribal leaders in the western United States and Canada. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: No significant modifications were made during the project. As it is evolved, however, more emphasis was placed on developing commercially valuable cultivated varieties and efficient vegetative propagation techniques. Refinement of forest and field production systems also become a higher priority as the project evolved.

Impacts
The greatest impact has been in the area of forest management on U.S. public lands. Results and conclusions of the project are being used in developing public policy related to commercial and recreational huckleberry and bilberry harvests in Washington State and in huckleberry stand/forest management in some Region 6 national forests. Numerous individuals and companies have expressed interest in commercial huckleberry cultivation. Good progress has been made in developing model production systems, but commercially viable huckleberry and bilberry cultivars are still several years away from being released.

Publications

• Lopez, O.A., Barney, D.L., Shafii, B., and Price, W.J. 2008. Modeling the effects of temperature and gibberellic acid concentration on red huckleberry seed germination. HortScience 43:6-279.

Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Results of this project have been disseminated through: 1) oral and poster presentations at public, government agency, and research group meetings. 2) three websites. 3) personal contacts and on-site visits with cooperating scientists and established and prospective fruit growers. 4) an email listserve for individuals and companies involved in the huckleberry and bilberry industries. Presentations given include: U.S. Forest Service Mount Adams Ranger District, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Trout Lake, WA, Huckleberries and Bilberries: Management Strategies for Western Foresters. Agroforestry with Native Crops Conference, Vernon, BC, Canada, Huckleberries and Bilberries: Management Strategies for Agroforesters; Cultivar Development of Western Huckleberries, Bilberries, and Blueberries; Differences in the Content and Profile of Bioactive Compounds Present in a Variety of Northwest Vaccinium Berries; Soil factors in Selecting Huckleberry and Bilberry Planting Sites; Production Opportunities for Western Huckleberries and Bilberries. Pacific Northwest Big Huckleberry Summit, Vernon, WA, Huckleberries and Bilberries: Management Strategies for Western Foresters: Propagating, Evaluating, and Selecting Huckleberries and Bilberries: Cultivar Development of Western Huckleberries, Bilberries, and Blueberries; Differences in the Content and Profile of Bioactive Compounds Present in a Variety of Northwest Vaccinium Berries. University of Idaho Small Farms Program, Potlatch, ID, Commercial Berry and Grape Production in Northern Idaho. Northwest Center for Small Fruit Research Conference, Boise, ID, Domestication of Western Huckleberries; Cultivar Development of Western Huckleberries, Bilberries, and Blueberries; Soil factors in Selecting Huckleberry and Bilberry Planting Sites. University of Idaho Master Gardener workshops, Berries and Grapes for Home Gardens, Coeur d'Alene, ID; Berries and Grapes for Home Gardens, Kamiah, ID; Berries and Grapes for Home Gardens, Sandpoint, ID. Websites: University of Idaho Sandpoint Research & Extension Center, www.ag.uidaho.edu/sandpoint; Northwest Berry and Grape Information Network, http://berrygrape.oregonstate.edu/; Western Huckleberry and Bilberry Association, http://www.huckleberries.org/. PARTICIPANTS: Danny L. Barney, Professor of Horticulture at the University of Idaho, was the sole principal investigator during the reporting period. He received technical support from members of the Western Huckleberry and Bilberry Association; Drs. Chad Finn and Robert Martin of the U.S.D.A Horticultural Crops Research Laboratory in Corvallis, Oregon; and blueberry farmer Stan Urmann of Laclede, Idaho. During 2007, recent MS graduate Jennifer Jensen assisted in propagation and evaluation of huckleberries and bilberries and received extensive training in micropropagation of woody plants. Many private individuals and public officials received training in issues relating to management of wild colonies and field production of these crops. TARGET AUDIENCES: Our target audience is broad, including: The U.S. Forest Service and State Departments of Lands and Natural Resources in the northwestern United States; private forest managers; legislators in the northwestern United States; established and prospective fruit growers; fruit processors; fruit brokers and marketers; and tribal leaders in the western United States and Canada. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: No significant modifications have been made to the project. It is evolving, however, and more emphasis is being placed on development of commercially valuable cultivated varieties and efficient vegetative propagation techniques. Refinement of forest and field production systems has also become a higher priority as the project has evolved.

Impacts
Information generated through this project has helped create awareness of the potential for protecting a valuable natural and cultural resource while meeting the needs of a rapidly expanding industry. During 2007, I received invitations to speak on huckleberry and bilberry management and cultivation from the U.S. Forest Service in Washington's Gifford Pinchot National Forest; at the Pacific Northwest Big Huckleberry Summit in Eatonville, WA; and at the Agroforestry with Native Berry Crops conference in Vernon, BC, Canada. These meetings drew together government agencies, researchers, private forest managers, huckleberry industry representatives, farmers, and leaders of Native Peoples in the western United States and Canada. The meetings provided forums to address differing priorities involving highly divisive legal, economic, and cultural issues. The fact that the groups planned future meetings is a step forward in protecting wild huckleberries and bilberries, expanding managed production of these crops, and ensuring continued tribal and public access to traditional berry picking areas. I was also asked by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources for technical assistance in developing policies for managing huckleberry and bilberry colonies on public lands. I received many requests from established and prospective fruit growers during 2007 for huckleberry and bilberry planting stock. Demand for cultivated huckleberries and bilberries remains high.

Publications

• Barney, D.L., Lopez, O.A. and King, E. 2007. Micropropagation of cascade huckleberry, mountain huckleberry, and oval-leaf bilberry using woody plant medium and Murashige and Skoog medium formulations. HortTechnology 17(3):279-284.
• Barney, D.L. and Lopez, O.A. 2006. Domestication of western huckleberries. Proc. Northwest Ctr. Small Fruit Res. 15:19-20.

Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06

Outputs
Using controlled pollination, we obtained seed from 49 of 50 intraspecific crosses in Vaccinium membranaceum, 10 of 26 intraspecific crosses in V. ovalifolium, and one of three interspecific crosses using V. deliciosum and V. ovalifolium. We added 23 advanced and 42 early selections to the cultivar development program, making a total of 97 selections of V. caespitosum, V. deliciosum, V. membranaceum, V. myrtillus, V. ovalifolium, and V. uliginosum. F1 progeny from intersectional crosses between V. membranaceum and V. ovalifolium with highbush and half-high blueberry began bearing fruit in 2006 and demonstrate unique morphological characteristics. Propagation of planting stock for cooperator test plantings of advanced selections is underway. We finished germination trials and developed seed propagation protocols for V. caespitosum, V. deliciosum, V. ovalifolium, and V. parvifolium. Pregermination treatments proved unnecessary for fresh, air dried, or dried and cold-stored (2-4 C) seed of V. caespitosum, V. deliciosum, or V. ovalifolium when germinated at 20 C day/13 C night with a 12 h photoperiod. In the absence of stratification, scarification, or gibberellic acid, we obtained germination rates of greater than 85% for seed that had been sieved and visually sorted to remove undersized, broken, and deformed seeds. Using a dry sieve to remove seeds smaller than 0.425 mm for V. caespitosum and seeds smaller than 0.5 mm for V. deliciosum, V. ovalifolium, and V. parvifolium before sowing proved beneficial. Using a previously recommended germination protocol for V. parvifolium (20 C day/5 C night) (Vander Kloet, 1983) we obtained germination rates of 12% to 38%, depending on seed source. Using a 20 C day/13 C night protocol, we increased germination rates to 30% to 61%, respectively. Seeds failed to germinate at a constant 22 C. Soaking the seeds for 48 hours in 1,500 mg/L potassium salt of gibberellic acid increased germination rates to approximately 75%. Alternating warm (20 or 30 C) and cold (0 to 4 C) stratification reduced germination rates. Exposing imbibed seeds to 60 C for 30 minutes decreased germination rates in fresh seeds, but slightly increased germination rates in air dried and dried and cold-stored seed. The logistic model accurately described the time versus cumulative germination curves seen in these four species and proved useful in comparing treatment effects on cumulative germination. In micropropagation trials, full-strength modified MS medium (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) reduced survival, shoot formation, shoot elongation, dry weights, and explant rooting compared with half-strength MS and full- and half-strength modified Woody Plant Medium (Lloyd and McCown, 1980) for V. deliciosum, V. membranaceum, and V. ovalifolium. The latter three media produced acceptable results for V. deliciosum and V. ovalifolium. Both WPM formulations proved suitable for micropropagating V. membranaceum. Full- and half-strength refer only to basal salt concentrations. Organic components were prepared at the concentrations described by Lloyd and McCown (1980).

Impacts
The first crop of huckleberries from a managed forest stand entered the market in northern Idaho in 2005. Prospective producers continue to establish experimental plantings of huckleberries and bilberries. Demands for the fruits remain strong and prospects for expanded managed production appear excellent.

Publications

• Nichenametla, S., Taruscio, T., Barney, D. and Exon, J. 2006. A review of the effects and mechanisms of polyphenolics in cancer. Critical Rev. Food Sci. Nutrition 46:161-183.

Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05

Outputs
Cultivar development and shading physiology trials for western huckleberries and bilberries continued during 2005. Several genotypes of Vaccinium deliciosum, V. membranaceum, and V. ovalifolium were selected for on-station advanced trials. Eight selections of V. membranaceum, four of V. ovalifolium, and one of V. myrtillus are being propagated for off-station cooperator trials. Seed propagation trials were started for V. caespitosum, V. deliciosum, V. ovalifolium, and V. parvifolium. Results from those trials will be submitted for publication in 2006. In vitro propagation trials for V. deliciosum, V. membranaceum, and V. ovalifolium continued, with results to be submitted for publication in 2006. Model production system demonstration and evaluation trials for understory and open-field production are being expanded.

Impacts
The first crop of huckleberries from a managed forest stand entered the market in northern Idaho in 2005. Prospective producers continue to establish experimental plantings of huckleberries and bilberries. Demands for the fruits remain strong and prospects for expanded managed production appear excellent.

Publications

• Rimando, A.M. and Barney, D.L. 2005. Resveratrol and naturally occurring analogues in Vaccinium species. Acta Hort. 680:137-143.
• Barney, D.L. 2004. Domestication of Western Huckleberries. Proceedings of the Northwest Center for Small Fruit Research. 13:10-11.

Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04

Outputs
Significant progress was made characterizing soils associated with native Vaccinium colonies in the five northwestern states. Vaccinium caespitosum, V. deliciosum, V. myrtillus, V. ovalifolium, V. ovatum, and V. parvifolium were nearly always found on acidic loam or sandy loam soils with pH ranging between 3.6 and 6.2, averaging 5.0. Approximately 50% of the colonies were associated with weathered volcanic ash soils, but productive colonies were also found on non-ash soils. Vaccinium membranaceum and V. uliginosum were found on a greater diversity of soils than other species, ranging from loamy sands to clay loams. Vaccinium deliciosum, V. uliginosum, and, to a lesser degree V. ovalifolium, were often associated with wetland-influenced, histic-like soils. Vaccinium deliciosum, V. membranaceum, and V. ovalifolium survived in full sun through 70% shade, although morphological and biochemical changes become apparent at around 50% shade. The first of two seed germination characterization and propagation protocol trials was completed, with satisfactory results for V. caespitosum and V. deliciosum. Vaccinium ovalifolium germination was somewhat lower than desired and V. parvifolium, and V. ovatum proved recalcitrant in terms of germination. Additional trials are underway. Protocols for V. membranaceum, V. myrtillus, and V. uliginosum are already well documented in published reports. The first round of in vitro media trials examining the effects of basal salt formulations and concentrations is complete and a second replication planned. Test species include V. deliciosum, V. membranceum, and V. ovalifolium. Similar trials are planned for the effects of sucrose concentration, light intensity, and plant growth regulators, beginning in January 2005. Eight V. membranaceum, one V. myrtillus, and four V. ovalifolium selections are being propagated for distribution to and evaluation by cooperating growers. An additional 22 V. membranaceum and 25 V. ovalifolium genotypes were selected for advanced trials in the cultivar development program at the University of Idaho.

Impacts
Based largely on the results of this project, the Western Huckleberry and Bilberry Association was formed in October 2004. The association represents producers, processors, brokers, marketers, and researchers. Fourteen cooperating growers are establishing trial plantings or are managing existing native Vaccinium colonies in Idaho, Washington, and Montana. Two commercial fruit nurseries and two cooperating scientists have requested advanced selections for testing. Additional trial plantings are reported or planned in the southeastern United States, Canada and Australia.

Publications

• Taruscio, T., Barney, D. and Exon, J. 2004. Content and profile of flavanoid and phenolic acid compounds in conjunction with the antioxidant capacity for a variety of northwest Vaccinium berries. J. Agric. Food Chem. 52:3169-3176.

Progress 07/01/03 to 12/31/03

Outputs
Work completed earlier in this program was detailed on the termination report for project IDA01153, which terminated 6/30/2003. This project continues that research. Germplasm collection, establishment, and evaluation continue as part of a cultivar development program. Breeding continued in 2003, with efforts to create monospecific genotypes representing black huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum) and oval-leaved blueberry (V. ovalifolium), plus interspecific hybrids between these two species, Cascade huckleberry (V. deliciosum), highbush blueberries, lowbush blueberries, and half-high blueberries. Preliminary data relating to the compatibility and success of such crosses in producing viable seed was collected. In crosses with domestic blueberries, black huckleberry proved more effective as a seed parent than a pollen donor, while oval-leaved blueberry proved more effective as a pollen donor than seed parent. No oval-leaved blueberries evaluated to date have been self-fruitful, while approximately 57% of black huckleberries have set and ripened fruit following self-pollination. The degree of self-fruitfulness varies between genotypes and years. Numbers of viable seed produced by interspecific crosses and self-pollination were significantly lower than for cross-pollinations within single species. Twenty black huckleberry, 12 oval-leaved blueberry, and one bilberry (V. myrtillus) genotypes were identified as early selections. Plans are to distribute eight black huckleberry and four oval-leaved blueberry selections to cooperating growers in 2005 for field evaluation in different growing regions. Shade and soil physiology trials continue, as does development and testing of model production systems for field cultivation and management of forest Vaccinium colonies. Soil samples associated with huckleberry, bilberry, and wild blueberry colonies in five northwestern states have been collected and will be analyzed for physical and chemical profiles beginning in late 2003. Trials to refine in vitro propagation of black huckleberry, Cascade huckleberry, and oval-leaved blueberry are underway. Trials to refine seed propagation protocols for Cascade huckleberry, oval-leaved blueberry, dwarf huckleberry (V. caespitosum), red huckleberry (V. parvifolium), and evergreen huckleberry (V. ovatum) are underway. An herbarium collection representing ten Vaccinium species in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Wyoming was developed and donated to the University of Idaho herbarium. Seeds from the same species were donated to the USDA-ARS National Clonal Germplasm Repository in Corvallis, Oregon.

Impacts
Much of the groundwork needed for establishing a huckleberry and bilberry industry based on cultivation and managed fruit production has been competed. Production guides describing risks and opportunities, site selection and preparation, selection and propagation of plant materials, crop management, and marketing have been made available to prospective growers in print, on-line, and at workshops and conferences. A newspaper article on the University of Idaho huckleberry research program by Associated Press in 2003 was carried in newspapers and electronic media across the United States, generating numerous queries for more information on these crops.

Publications

• No publications reported this period