Effects of Different Pruning Time on Bush Growth and Fruit Production of Southern Highbush Blueberry ‘Scintilla’ Cultivated in a Heated Plastic House

A portable, handheld, mechanical shaking device was developed and its effects on fruit detachment in rabbiteye bluebbery (Vaccinium ashei Reade) and southern highbush blueberry (hybrids of mostly Vaccinium corymbosum L. and Vaccinium darrowi Camp.) were evaluated. The instrument facilitated effective detachment of fruit within a branch, especially in rabbiteye blueberry (greater than 75%). Approximately 3 to 4 seconds of shaking was sufficient to detach the majority of the fruit. Differences in the extent of fruit detachment were observed across the genotypes, especially among southern highbush blueberry genotypes. The majority of fruit detachment in rabbiteye blueberry and most of the southern highbush blueberry genotypes occurred at the point of attachment of the pedicel to the berry, although a significant portion detached with the stem intact, resulting in stemmy fruit. Although only a small proportion of the detached fruit was immature in the rabbiteye blueberry genotypes, up to 23% of the detached fruit was immature in the southern highbush blueberry genotypes. Application of the abscission agents methyl jasmonate (MeJa; 20 mm) and ethephon (1000 mg·L−1) reduced the time required for fruit detachment on mechanical shaking by up to 5-fold. Together, these data indicate that the mechanical shaking device developed here is an effective tool for studying fruit detachment in blueberry. This instrument has potential applications in blueberry research programs evaluating fruit production. It can be used in breeding programs to aid in the selection of genotypes with fruit detachment characteristics that are potentially better suited for mechanical harvesting, and also in programs involving the screening and evaluation of abscission agents in blueberry.

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RECENT USDA–ARS BLUEBERRY CULTIVAR RELEASES

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.41.3.510d ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 41 (3) ◽

pp. 510D-511

Author(s):

S.J. Stringer ◽

J.M. Spiers ◽

A.D. Draper

Keyword(s):

Fruit Quality ◽

Growth Habit ◽

Gulf Coast ◽

Fruit Production ◽

Maximum Height ◽

Highbush Blueberry ◽

Fresh Market ◽

Berry Quality ◽

Southern Highbush ◽

High Level

Two new southern highbush blueberry cultivars, `Dixieblue' and `Gupton', will provide growers with new blueberry cultivars having excellent fruit quality that ripen relatively early in the season, during the profitable early fresh-market window. Berries of `Dixieblue' are light blue, medium in size, and their flat shape makes them most attractive. `Gupton' is very productive and berry quality is also excellent. The performance of these cultivars represent an improvement over most currently available southern highbush blueberry cultivars due to 1) their durability and performance on both upland and sandy soils endemic to the Gulf Coast and 2) consistent production of high quality fruit that will meet the demand for early ripening fresh-market blueberries. The new rabbiteye blueberry cultivar, `DeSoto', represents an improvement over currently available rabbiteye blueberry cultivars for late-season production. `DeSoto' produces medium-to-large fruit having excellent color, flavor, and firmness Plants of `DeSoto' are productive, vigorous but semi-dwarf, upright and spreading. It's semi-dwarf growth habit, which is unique among currently grown rabbiteye blueberries, results in bushes that attain a maximum height of about 2 meters upon maturity, reducing the necessity of top-pruning that is required for all other cultivars. `DeSoto' blooms two to three weeks later than early-to-mid season cultivars such as `Climax' and `Tifblue', providing insurance against late-spring freezes. Similarly, its fruit mature 21 to 14 days or more, respectively after these same cultivars. `DeSoto' will provide niche market blueberry growers with a new cultivar having productivity, plant vigor, fruit quality, and very late ripening period that will extend their marketing season. The new evergreen ornamental blueberry, `Native Blue', is low growing, compact and finely branched with small glaucous leaves, traits that are quite typical of V. darowii. `Native Blue' has beautiful foliage that changes color in different seasons. Mature leaves are darker green while newer growth exhibits a light pinkish hue that changes to a bluish green. Other desirable characteristics of `Native Blue' are its dwarf growth habit, hardy and vigorous growth, and its capacity for a high level of fruit production that serves as an attractant to birds and other wildlife. `Native Blue' will provide southeastern U.S. nurserymen, landscapers, and homeowners with a novel and beautiful new ornamental shrub that will complement plantings of azaleas, camellias, crepe myrtles, etc.

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Yield of southern highbush blueberry ( Vaccinium corymbosum ) using the fly Calliphora albifrontalis (Diptera: Calliphoridae) as a pollinator

Austral Entomology ◽

10.1111/aen.12455 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 59 (2) ◽

pp. 345-352 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

David F Cook ◽

Robert A Deyl ◽

Bede S Mickan ◽

Elliot T Howse

Keyword(s):

Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽

Highbush Blueberry ◽

Southern Highbush

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Season-long Management ofDrosophila suzukiiin Southern Highbush Blueberry, 2014

Arthropod Management Tests ◽

10.1093/amt/tsv022 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

pp. C12

Author(s):

Danielle O. Rosensteel ◽

Ashfaq A. Sial

Keyword(s):

Highbush Blueberry ◽

Southern Highbush

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Susceptibility of Southern Highbush Blueberry Cultivars to Botryosphaeria Stem Blight

Proceedings of the Ninth North American Blueberry Research and Extension Workers Conference ◽

10.1201/9781482282856-23 ◽

2004 ◽

pp. 203-212

Keyword(s):

Highbush Blueberry ◽

Stem Blight ◽

Southern Highbush

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Inflorescence Bud Initiation, Development, and Bloom in Two Southern Highbush Blueberry Cultivars

Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science ◽

10.21273/jashs.140.1.38 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 140 (1) ◽

pp. 38-44 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Alisson P. Kovaleski ◽

Jeffrey G. Williamson ◽

James W. Olmstead ◽

Rebecca L. Darnell

Keyword(s):

Interspecific Hybrids ◽

Shoot Growth ◽

Late Summer ◽

Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽

Highbush Blueberry ◽

Bud Development ◽

Late Fall ◽

Southern Highbush ◽

Bud Initiation ◽

The Relationship

Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) production is increasing worldwide, particularly in subtropical growing regions, but information on timing and extent of inflorescence bud development during summer and fall and effects on bloom the next season are limited. The objectives of this study were to determine time of inflorescence bud initiation, describe internal inflorescence bud development, and determine the relationship between internal inflorescence bud development and bloom period the next spring in two southern highbush blueberry [SHB (Vaccinium corymbosum interspecific hybrids)] cultivars. ‘Emerald’ and ‘Jewel’ SHB buds were collected beginning in late summer until shoot growth cessation in late fall for dissection and identification of organ development. Inflorescence bud frequency and number, vegetative and inflorescence bud length and width throughout development, and bloom were also assessed. Inflorescence bud initiation occurred earlier in ‘Emerald’ compared with ‘Jewel’. Five stages of internal inflorescence bud development were defined throughout fall in both cultivars, ranging from a vegetative meristem to early expansion of the inflorescence bud in late fall. ‘Emerald’ inflorescence buds were larger and bloomed earlier, reflecting the earlier inflorescence bud initiation and development. Although inflorescence bud initiation occurred earlier in ‘Emerald’ compared with ‘Jewel’, the pattern of development was not different. Timing of inflorescence bud initiation influenced timing of bloom with earlier initiation resulting in earlier bloom.

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A Review for Southern Highbush Blueberry Alternative Production Systems

10.20944/preprints202008.0496.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yang Fang ◽

Gerardo H. Nunez ◽

Mariana Neves da Silva ◽

Douglas A. Phillips ◽

Patricio R. Munoz

Keyword(s):

Open Field ◽

Production Systems ◽

Academic Research ◽

Highbush Blueberry ◽

Entry Barrier ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

Alternative Systems ◽

Southern Highbush ◽

High Yields ◽

Field Production

Southern highbush blueberry plantations have been expanded into worldwide non-traditional growing areas with elite cultivars and improved horticultural practices. This article presents a comprehensive review of current production systems – alternatives to traditional open field production – such as production in protected environments, high-density plantings, evergreen production, and container-based production. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each system and compare their differences to the open field production. In addition, potential solutions have been provided for some of the disadvantages. We also highlight some of the gaps existing between academic studies and production in industry, providing a guide for future academic research. All these alternative systems have shown the potential to produce high yields with high quality berries. Alternative systems, compared to the field production, require higher establishment investments and thus create an entry barrier for new producers. Nevertheless, with their advantages, alternative productions have potential to be profitable.

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