Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum x Vaccinium darrowii) BILOXI

Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum hybrid) 'Biloxi'

Vigorous Southern Highbush variety for a very early harvest.

'Biloxi' is a popular American low-chill variety, making it an excellent choice for warmer growing regions. It was developed to open the fresh blueberry market as early in the season as possible, ripening up to 3 weeks before the earliest Rabbiteye varieties. It offers medium-sized, firm fruits of very good quality; however, it requires careful agricultural practices, particularly mulching and protection from spring frosts.

Key Highlights:

• Very early harvest: Excellent for early entry into the fresh fruit market.
• Quality fruits: Firm berries with good color and a dry picking scar.
• Vigorous growth: Highly productive and strong-growing bush.
• Low chill requirement: Suitable for warm and subtropical regions.
• Good plant health (resistance to common diseases).

Origin and Registration

• Origin: USA (USDA-ARS, Mississippi). Breeders: J.M. Spiers, C.L. Gupton, A.D. Draper. Released in 1998.
• Genetics: Cross of 'Sharpeblue' x 'US329' line. Contains a mix of genes from several species (including the warm-climate V. darrowii and V. virgatum).

Variety Characteristics

Bush

• Growth: Vigorous and upright.
• Flowering: Blooms very early (around the same time as 'Climax' or 'Star').
• Agrotechnics: To reach its full growth potential and vitality, mulching is essential.

Fruit

• Size: Medium-sized fruits (average weight approx. 1.47 g).
• Quality: Berries are firm with a dry stem scar and have an attractive blue color.
• Flavor: Very good, well-balanced sugar-to-acid ratio.
• Usage: Early fresh fruit market.

Resistance and Requirements

• Frost (Risk): Due to very early blooming and a low chill requirement, the flowers are highly susceptible to damage from late spring frosts. Active frost protection is required in many areas.
• Diseases: No significant disease problems have been reported.

Cultivation Recommendations

• Pollination: The variety requires cross-pollination. Planting alongside other low-chill varieties (e.g., 'Misty', 'O'Neal', 'Star', or 'Gulfcoast') is highly recommended.

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest time: Very early.