Propagation methods and the effectiveness of fungal inoculation on Vaccinium species native to Central British Columbia.

There is great demand for the inclusion of berry-producing plants, such as Vaccinium species, in forest restoration and post-industrial reclamation efforts, due to their value to wildlife and traditional users of the land however, the biology and propagation requirements of northern Vaccinium species and their potential for use in reclamation, restoration, and horticulture is largely unexplored. Propagation trials of V. membranaceum, V. myrtilloides, and V. caespitosum using seeds, rhizome cuttings, and hardwood cuttings were carried out to determine propagation protocols. Outdoor trials tested the influences of mycorrhizal inoculation and soil amendment on seedling survival. Seeds and rhizome cuttings were found to be the most effective propagation techniques for Vaccinium. Soil amendment increased outdoor seedling survival however, none of the seedlings showed mycorrhizal colonization, regardless of inoculation treatment. Further studies of the effect of seedling age and soil characteristics on mycorrhizal colonization are required.