About me
I am a new graduate student studying native blue elderberry propagation for my project. Through this project I have developed skills in tissue culture, seed germination strategies and other lab maintenance protocols. I am curious about possible applications for using a native plant as a crop.
Blue Elderberry (Sambucus cerulea) as an Alternative Crop
Utah’s high-elevation mountain valleys present climatic conditions that are challenging for fruit production. Blue elderberry (Sambucus cerulea) is native to Utah and this climatic adaptation may make it a desirable alternative crop. However, domestication will require better understanding of propagation, management requirements and potential productivity. Our research on propagation has determined optimum seed stratification requirements (15 weeks) and tissue culture proliferation and rooting protocols. Productivity has been similar to domestic black elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) cultivars with harvest season 3 to 4 weeks earlier. These results indicate that promising blue elderberry selections could become an important alternative fruit crop uniquely adapted to Utah conditions.
