GROWING SEASON EFFECTS ON WILD BLUEBERRY (VACCINIUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM) IN MAINE AND IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT

2014 ◽  
pp. 101-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.A. Drummond ◽  
D.E. Yarborough
Keyword(s):  
Growing Season ◽  
Vaccinium Angustifolium ◽  
Wild Blueberry

Seasonal changes in photochemistry, light use efficiency and net photosynthetic rates of wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.)

2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (6) ◽  
pp. 1135-1143 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Percival ◽  
Jatinder Kaur ◽  
Lindsay J. Hainstock ◽  
Jean-Pierre Privé
Keyword(s):  
Chlorophyll Fluorescence ◽  
Chlorophyll A ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Light Use Efficiency ◽  
Vaccinium Angustifolium ◽  
Carotenoid Concentration ◽  
Chlorophyll A And B ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Wild Blueberry

Percival, D., Kaur, J., Hainstock, L. J. and Privé, J.-P. 2012. Seasonal changes in photochemistry, light use efficiency and net photosynthetic rates of wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.). Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 1135–1143. The seasonal variation of carotenoid concentration, chlorophyll a and b levels, dark- (Fv/Fm) and light-adapted (Fv′/Fm′) variable to maximal chlorophyll fluorescence (an indication of the quantum efficiency of PSII photochemistry) and net photosynthesis of the wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) was examined in the vegetative and cropping phases of production. Chlorophyll levels ranged from 2.0 to 12 µg cm−2 and from 0.042 to 1.4 µg cm−2 for chlorophyll a and b, respectively, were significantly lower in the cropping phase of production, and were also lower in the latter stages of the growing season. Similarly, carotenoid concentrations ranged from 0.67 to 4.1 µg cm−2 and were lower in the cropping phase of production. However, carotenoid concentration and dark- and light-adapted variable to maximal chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm and Fv′/Fm′) decreased marketably at the mid-point of the growing season, presumably as a result of photoinhibition. Net photosynthetic values of upright stems ranged from 2.1 to 7.6 µmol m−2 s−1, were substantially higher in the vegetative phase of production and also decreased significantly in the latter part of the growing season. Results from this investigation indicate that the wild blueberry has a relatively low photosynthetic rate, which may be prone to photoinhibition and limited carbohydrate supply (i.e., source) when compared with other temperate fruit crops.

scholarly journals Climate Change Patterns of Wild Blueberry Fields in Downeast, Maine over the Past 40 Years

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 594
Author(s):  
Rafa Tasnim ◽  
Francis Drummond ◽  
Yong-Jiang Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Potential Evapotranspiration ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Spatial Average ◽  
Climate Variables ◽  
Threshold Values ◽  
The Past ◽  
Wild Blueberry ◽  
Crop Health

Maine, USA is the largest producer of wild blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton), an important native North American fruit crop. Blueberry fields are mainly distributed in coastal glacial outwash plains which might not experience the same climate change patterns as the whole region. It is important to analyze the climate change patterns of wild blueberry fields and determine how they affect crop health so fields can be managed more efficiently under climate change. Trends in the maximum (Tmax), minimum (Tmin) and average (Tavg) temperatures, total precipitation (Ptotal), and potential evapotranspiration (PET) were evaluated for 26 wild blueberry fields in Downeast Maine during the growing season (May–September) over the past 40 years. The effects of these climate variables on the Maximum Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVImax) were evaluated using Remote Sensing products and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools. We found differences in the increase in growing season Tmax, Tmin, Tavg, and Ptotal between those fields and the overall spatial average for the region (state of Maine), as well as among the blueberry fields. The maximum, minimum, and average temperatures of the studied 26 wild blueberry fields in Downeast, Maine showed higher rates of increase than those of the entire region during the last 40 years. Fields closer to the coast showed higher rates of warming compared with the fields more distant from the coast. Consequently, PET has been also increasing in wild blueberry fields, with those at higher elevations showing lower increasing rates. Optimum climatic conditions (threshold values) during the growing season were explored based on observed significant quadratic relationships between the climate variables (Tmax and Ptotal), PET, and EVImax for those fields. An optimum Tmax and PET for EVImax at 22.4 °C and 145 mm/month suggest potential negative effects of further warming and increasing PET on crop health and productivity. These climate change patterns and associated physiological relationships, as well as threshold values, could provide important information for the planning and development of optimal management techniques for wild blueberry fields experiencing climate change.

Effect of drought on ericoid mycorrhizae in wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.)

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 583-586 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Jeliazkova and D. Percival
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Soil Profiles ◽  
Root Weight ◽  
Vaccinium Angustifolium ◽  
Ericoid Mycorrhizae ◽  
Randomized Complete Block Design ◽  
Influence Of Water ◽  
Wild Blueberry

To evaluate the influence of water exclusion on the mycorrhizal coloni zations in wild blueberry, and to examine the spatial distribution of mycorrhizae among roots of wild blueberry plants that were in both the vegetative and cropping stages of production, a randomized complete block design was used. The mycorrhizal coloniz a tions were equally distributed throughout upper and lower soil profiles in both stages of production. Nevertheless, soil moisture levels in water exclusion treatments were as much as 50% lower than the control, drought stress had no effect on mycorrhizal colonization levels or on any other of the measured responses. Root weight and volume decreased as soil depth increased from 0-7.5 to 7.5-15 cm. Key words:

Spotted-Wing Drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae) Adult Movement, Activity, and Oviposition Behavior in Maine Wild Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium; Ericales: Ericaceae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 112 (4) ◽  
pp. 1623-1633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis A Drummond ◽  
Elissa Ballman ◽  
Judith A Collins
Keyword(s):  
Oviposition Behavior ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Crop Canopy ◽  
Drosophila Suzukii ◽  
Dispersal Pattern ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Vaccinium Angustifolium ◽  
Fluorescent Marker ◽  
Fluorescent Markers ◽  
Wild Blueberry

Abstract Over a period of 5 yr (2012–2016), we conducted laboratory and field studies on activity, movement, and response to trap placement of adult Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) in wild blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton, fields in Maine. When measuring temporal patterns in fruit infestation, we found that D. suzukii females are most active in the morning and that they are 10 times more likely to lay eggs in blueberries at the top of the plant canopy compared with berries located in the lower part of the bush. Flies were found to be more abundant in fruit-bearing (crop) fields compared with pruned (vegetative) fields based on trap capture of adults. They are also most abundant along edges of fields compared with interiors. Trap efficiency is significantly better in traps 1.2 m above the ground and above the crop canopy of this low-growing crop plant than within the crop canopy. Three experiments involving the marking of laboratory-reared flies with fluorescent marker, their release, and capture with traps along a grid in fields suggest that: 1) fluorescent markers do not affect the distance moved of marked flies, 2) dispersal rates are not different between sexes, 3) there is little difference in the dispersal pattern through pruned fields and fruit-bearing fields, and 4) flies disperse at a low rate of 0.1–30 m per day, with an average of 5 m per day, but that long-distance dispersal over 1–2 km is feasible based on statistical model extrapolation.

Seasonal growth dynamics and carbon allocation of the wild blueberry plant (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.)

2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (6) ◽  
pp. 1145-1154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jatinder Kaur ◽  
David Percival ◽  
Lindsay J. Hainstock ◽  
Jean-Pierre Privé
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Carbon Allocation ◽  
Growth Dynamics ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Ground Vegetation ◽  
Seasonal Growth ◽  
Carbohydrate Source ◽  
Vaccinium Angustifolium ◽  
Stems And Leaves ◽  
Wild Blueberry

Kaur, J., Percival, D., Hainstock, L. J. and Privé, J.-P. 2012. Seasonal growth dynamics and carbon allocation of the wild blueberry plant ( Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.). Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 1145–1154. Field studies were conducted at the Wild Blueberry Research Station, Debert, NS, to examine the carbon allocation dynamics within the wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.). This was achieved with biweekly measurements of dry weight, soluble sugar and starch levels of the rhizomes, roots, stems/leaves and berries of plants in the vegetative (i.e., sprout phase) and cropping phases of production. Non-structural carbohydrate levels were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Growth parameters included phenology, stem height, dry weights of the above-ground vegetation (stems and leaves), berries, rhizomes and roots. Interestingly, root growth was observed prior to upright shoot emergence and dry weight for rhizome remained higher compared with stems and leaves. The rhizomes acted as a carbohydrate source during stem and root growth. The developing berry crop appeared to be a strong sink for photo-assimilates, as berries were found to import sucrose and convert it to fructose and glucose during maturation, and HPLC studies further confirmed the increasing levels of fructose and glucose. Given the phenology of the wild blueberry, the results exemplify the importance of the rhizomes as a strong carbohydrate source, especially in the early stages of a growing season when the carbohydrate production is limited.

Lethal and sublethal effects of some insecticides recommended for wild blueberry on the pollinator Bombus impatiens

2012 ◽  
Vol 144 (3) ◽  
pp. 478-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.E. Gradish ◽  
C.D. Scott-Dupree ◽  
A.J. Frewin ◽  
G.C. Cutler
Keyword(s):  
Sublethal Effects ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Bombus Impatiens ◽  
Sublethal Dose ◽  
Vaccinium Angustifolium ◽  
Risk Of Exposure ◽  
Honey Solution ◽  
Wild Blueberry ◽  
Effective Pollinators ◽  
Topical Applications

AbstractManaged and wild colonies of common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) are effective pollinators of wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton) (Ericaceae) in Atlantic Canada. Because insecticides are used during bloom to manage insect pests, bumble bees may be at risk of exposure. We therefore assessed the susceptibility of B. impatiens to some insecticides used or projected for use in blueberry pest management. Workers were killed by topical applications of spinosad, spinetoram, deltamethrin, and phosmet, but not flubendiamide. Similarly, when ingested in honey solution, spinetoram and deltamethrin were toxic, whereas flubendiamide did not cause mortality up to double its recommended label rate. In another experiment, workers were fed one sublethal dose of contaminated honey solution and placed in microcolonies to assess impacts on feeding, life span, and reproduction. The highest concentration of deltamethrin (17 mg a.i./L) reduced feeding. Workers treated with deltamethrin had shortened life spans and produced fewer males. Flubendiamide (2000 mg a.i./L) and spinetoram (0.8 mg a.i./L) caused no sublethal effects. These results indicate that flubendiamide should be safe to apply to blueberries where B. impatiens is foraging, while some other insecticides we tested may be hazardous under different exposure scenarios.

Field Perimeter Trapping to Manage Rhagoletis mendax (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Wild Blueberry

2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (5) ◽  
pp. 2380-2389
Author(s):  
Francis A Drummond ◽  
Judith A Collins
Keyword(s):  
Computer Simulation Model ◽  
Double Row ◽  
Vaccinium Angustifolium ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Single Row ◽  
Rhagoletis Mendax ◽  
Major Pest ◽  
Blueberry Maggot Fly ◽  
Wild Blueberry ◽  
Trap Placement

Abstract Rhagoletis mendax Curran (the blueberry maggot fly) is a major pest of wild blueberry. It is a direct pest of the fruit. Females lay eggs in fruit resulting in infestations of larvae unacceptable to most consumers. Three field perimeter interception tactics were tested for control of R. mendax in wild blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton (Ericales: Ericaceae), between 2000 and 2010. We investigated field perimeter deployment of baited, insecticide-treated, green spheres (2000–2005), baited, yellow Trécé PHEROCON AM traps (2005 and 2006), and baited, Hopper Finder, sticky barrier tape (2008–2010). Only the Hopper Finder tape provided significant reduction in R. mendax adults and fruit infestation over the 3-yr field study. However, the reduction in fruit infestation compared with control plots was only 48.2 ± 7.3%, a level of reduction in damage that would be unsuitable for many commercial wild blueberry growers as a stand-alone tactic, but could be an important reduction as part of a multiple tactic IPM strategy. In addition, we constructed an agent-based computer simulation model to assess optimal trap placement between three patterns: 1) a single row of traps along field perimeter; 2) a double row of traps along the field perimeter at half the density of the single row; and 3) a grid of traps spread throughout the field but with the largest distance between traps. We found that the single row deployment pattern of traps was the best for reducing immigration of R. mendax adults into simulated fields.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document