Assessing Organic Nitrogen Acquisition of Ericoid Mycorrhizae in Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) Plants by Using an 15N Tracer

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 467e-467
Author(s):  
Wei Qiang Yang ◽  
Barbara L. Goulart ◽  
K. Demchak
Keyword(s):  
Organic Nitrogen ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Forest Litter ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
15N Tracer ◽  
Organic N ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Canopy Volume

The ability of mycorrhizal highbush blueberry plants to acquire soil organic nitrogen under different organic amendment regimes was investigated in a field experiment by using an 15N tracer. Plants inoculated with an ericoid mycorrhizal isolate from the genus Oidiodendron had lower leaf 15N enrichment than uninoculated plants, indicating mycorrhizal (M) plants absorbed more unlabeled soil nitrogen than nonmycorrhizal (NM) plants. The unlabeled nitrogen was presumably from soil organic N sources which might be less available to NM plants. M plants produced more plant dry weight and larger canopy volume, presumably as a result of improved N acquisition ability. In the study, the effect of pre-plant organic amendments on the growth of highbush blueberry plants was clearly demonstrated. The forest litter amendment produced higher dry mass than either the rotted sawdust amendment or no amendment. The rotted sawdust amendment produced the smallest plants. These results suggested that organic amendments with different C:N ratios might have affected soil N availability by affecting the N mineralization process. The implication of these findings in the production of highbush blueberry in mineral soils will be discussed.

scholarly journals Interactive Effects of Mycorrhizal Inoculation and Organic Soil Amendments on Nitrogen Acquisition and Growth of Highbush Blueberry

2002 ◽  
Vol 127 (5) ◽  
pp. 742-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Qiang Yang ◽  
Barbara L. Goulart ◽  
K. Demchak ◽  
Yadong Li
Keyword(s):  
Soil Amendments ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Forest Litter ◽  
Organic Soil ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Soil N ◽  
Mycorrhizal Plants ◽  
Leaf N

The ability of mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal `Elliott' highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) plants to acquire soil N under different preplant organic soil amendment regimes (forest litter, rotted sawdust, or no amendment) was investigated in a field experiment using 15N labeled (NH4)2SO4. Plants inoculated with an ericoid mycorrhizal isolate, Oidiodendron maius Dalpé (UAMH 9263), had lower leaf 15N enrichment and higher leaf N contents than noninoculated plants but similar leaf N concentrations, indicating mycorrhizal plants absorbed more nonlabeled soil N than nonmycorrhizal plants. Mycorrhizal plants produced more plant dry weight (DW) and larger canopy volumes. The effect of preplant organic amendments on the growth of highbush blueberry plants was clearly demonstrated. Plants grown in soil amended with forest litter produced higher DW than those in either the rotted sawdust amendment or no amendment. Plants grown in soils amended preplant with sawdust, the current commercial recommendation, were the smallest. Differences in the carbon to nitrogen ratio were likely responsible for growth differences among plants treated with different soil amendments.

scholarly journals Response of Highbush Blueberry to Nitrogen Fertilizer during Field Establishment—II. Plant Nutrient Requirements in Relation to Nitrogen Fertilizer Supply

HortScience ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (7) ◽  
pp. 917-926 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Bryla ◽  
Bernadine C. Strik ◽  
M. Pilar Bañados ◽  
Timothy L. Righetti
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Nutrient Analysis ◽  
Zn Content ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Fruit Harvest

A study was done to determine the macro- and micronutrient requirements of young northern highbush blueberry plants (Vaccinium corymbosum L. ‘Bluecrop’) during the first 2 years of establishment and to examine how these requirements were affected by the amount of nitrogen (N) fertilizer applied. The plants were spaced 1.2 × 3.0 m apart and fertilized with 0, 50, or 100 kg·ha−1 of N, 35 kg·ha−1 of phosphorus (P), and 66 kg·ha−1 of potassium (K) each spring. A light fruit crop was harvested during the second year after planting. Plants were excavated and parts sampled for complete nutrient analysis at six key stages of development, from leaf budbreak after planting to fruit harvest the next year. The concentration of several nutrients in the leaves, including N, P, calcium (Ca), sulfur (S), and manganese (Mn), increased with N fertilizer application, whereas leaf boron (B) concentration decreased. In most cases, the concentration of nutrients was within or above the range considered normal for mature blueberry plants, although leaf N was below normal in plants grown without fertilizer in Year 1, and leaf B was below normal in plants fertilized with 50 or 100 kg·ha−1 N in Year 2. Plants fertilized with 50 kg·ha−1 N were largest, producing 22% to 32% more dry weight (DW) the first season and 78% to 90% more DW the second season than unfertilized plants or plants fertilized with 100 kg·ha−1 N. Most DW accumulated in new shoots, leaves, and roots in both years as well as in fruit the second year. New shoot and leaf DW was much greater each year when plants were fertilized with 50 or 100 kg·ha−1 N, whereas root DW was only greater at fruit harvest and only when 50 kg·ha−1 N was applied. Application of 50 kg·ha−1 N also increased DW of woody stems by fruit harvest, but neither 50 nor 100 kg·ha−1 N had a significant effect on crown, flower, or fruit DW. Depending on treatment, plants lost 16% to 29% of total biomass at leaf abscission, 3% to 16% when pruned in winter, and 13% to 32% at fruit harvest. The content of most nutrients in the plant followed the same patterns of accumulation and loss as plant DW. However, unlike DW, magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) content in new shoots and leaves was similar among N treatments the first year, and N fertilizer increased N and S content in woody stems much earlier than it increased biomass of the stems. Likewise, N, P, S, and Zn content in the crown were greater at times when N fertilizer was applied, whereas K and Ca content were sometimes lower. Overall, plants fertilized with 50 kg·ha−1 N produced the most growth and, from planting to first fruit harvest, required 34.8 kg·ha−1 N, 2.3 kg·ha−1 P, 12.5 kg·ha−1 K, 8.4 kg·ha−1 Ca, 3.8 kg·ha−1 Mg, 5.9 kg·ha−1 S, 295 g·ha−1 Fe, 40 g·ha−1 B, 23 g·ha−1 copper (Cu), 1273 g·ha−1 Mn, and 65 g·ha−1 Zn. Thus, of the total amount of fertilizer applied over 2 years, only 21% of the N, 3% of the P, and 9% of the K were used by plants during establishment.

scholarly journals Compost Feedstock and Compost Acidification Affect Growth and Mineral Nutrition in Northern Highbush Blueberry

HortScience ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 1067-1076 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan C. Costello ◽  
Dan M. Sullivan ◽  
David R. Bryla ◽  
Bernadine C. Strik ◽  
James S. Owen
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Mineral Nutrition ◽  
C:N Ratio ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Total N ◽  
Shoot Dry Weight ◽  
Northern Highbush Blueberry

New markets for organic northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) have stimulated interest in using composts specifically tailored to the plant’s edaphic requirements. Because composts are typically neutral to alkaline in pH (pH 7 to 8), and blueberry requires acidic soil (pH 4.2 to 5.5), we investigated elemental sulfur (S0) addition as a methodology for reducing compost pH. The objectives were to 1) characterize initial compost chemistry, including the pH buffering capacity of compost (acidity required to reduce pH to 5.0), 2) measure changes in compost chemistry accompanying acidification, and 3) evaluate plant growth and mineral nutrition of blueberry in soil amended with an untreated or acidified compost. Ten composts prepared from diverse feedstocks were obtained from municipalities and farms. Addition of finely ground S0 reduced compost pH from 7.2 to 5.3, on average, after 70 d at 22 °C, and increased the solubility of nutrients, including K (from 22 to 36 mmol(+)/L), Ca (from 5 to 19 mmol(+)/L), Mg (from 5 to 20 mmol(+)/L), and Na (from 6 to 9 mmol(+)/L). Sulfate-S, a product of S0 oxidation, also increased from 5 to 45 mmol(−)/L. The composts were incorporated into soil at a high rate (30% v/v) in a greenhouse trial to evaluate their suitability for use in blueberry production. Shoot and root growth were strongly affected by compost chemical characteristics, including pH and electrical conductivity (EC). Potassium in compost was highly variable (2–32 g·kg−1). Concentration of K in the leaves increased positively in response to compost K, whereas shoot dry weight and root growth declined. Leaf Mg also declined in response to compost K, suggesting that elevated K concentrations in compost may cause Mg deficiency. Composts with the highest K were also high in total N, pH, and EC. Compost acidification to pH ≤ 6 improved growth and increased leaf Mg concentration. On the basis of these results, composts derived from animal manures or young plant tissues (e.g., green leaves) appear to be unsuitable for high-rate applications to blueberry because they usually require high amounts of S0 for acidification and are often high in EC and K, whereas those derived from woody materials, such as local yard debris, appear promising based on their C:N ratio, compost acidification requirement, and EC.

scholarly journals Flower Bud Density Affects Vegetative and Fruit Development in Field-grown Southern Highbush Blueberry

HortScience ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 607-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.E. Maust ◽  
J.G. Williamson ◽  
R.L. Darnell
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Fruit Development ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Flower Buds ◽  
Flower Bud ◽  
Southern Highbush

Floral budbreak and fruit set in many southern highbush blueberry (SHB) cultivars (hybrids of Vaccinium corymbosum L. with other species of Vaccinium) begin prior to vegetative budbreak. Experiments were conducted with two SHB cultivars, `Misty' and `Sharpblue', to test the hypothesis that initial flower bud density (flower buds/m cane length) affects vegetative budbreak and shoot development, which in turn affect fruit development. Flower bud density of field-grown plants was adjusted in two nonconsecutive years by removing none, one-third, or two-thirds of the flower buds during dormancy. Vegetative budbreak, new shoot dry weight, leaf area, and leaf area: fruit ratios decreased with increasing flower bud density in both cultivars. Average fruit fresh weight and fruit soluble solids decreased in both cultivars, and fruit ripening was delayed in `Misty' as leaf area: fruit ratios decreased. This study indicates that because of the inverse relationship between flower bud density and canopy establishment, decreasing the density of flower buds in SHB will increase fruit size and quality and hasten ripening.

scholarly journals Identification of Soil Organic Nitrogen Substance Acting as Indicator of Response of Cocoa Plants to Nitrogen Fertilizer

2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
John Bako Baon
Keyword(s):  
Theobroma Cacao ◽  
Organic Nitrogen ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Organic N ◽  
Soil Organic Nitrogen ◽  
Hydrolysable N ◽  
Stem Leaf ◽  
N Fractions

An indicator needed for estimating the presence of response of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) trees to nitrogen (N) fertilizer has been well understood, however there is still little progress on the work on identification of organic N fraction which regulates the response of cocoa to N fertilizer. The objective of this study is to identify a fraction of soil organic N which is very closely related with degree of cocoa response to N fertilizer. Hydrolyses were performed on soil samples derived from 23 sites of cocoa plantations distributed both in Banyuwangi district (12 sites) and in Jember district (11 sites). Analysis of organic N fractions consisted of total hydrolysable N, ammonium N, amino sugar N, amino acid N and combinations of those fractions. To investigate the level of cocoa plants response to N fertilizer, seedlings of cocoa were planted in plastic pots treated with and without urea as source of N. Degree of response of cocoa plants to N fertilizer was measured based on growth parameters, such as plant height, leaf number, stem girth, fresh weight of stem, leaf and shoot; and dry weight of stem, leaf and shoot. Results of this study showed that biggest response of cocoa was shown by dry weight of leaf at the level of 29,22% (in the range of -17,43% – 95,98%), whereas the smallest response was shown by stem dry weight at the level of -1,04 (in the range of -26,16 – 47,54). From those of organic N fractions analyzed, only N ammonium did not show any significant correlations with all the growth parameters observed. Leaf dry weight was the most closely related parameter with nearly all organic N fractions followed by shoot dry weight and stem girth. The soil organic N fraction which had very significant relation with cocoa plant response was total hydrolysable N. Using the method of Cate-Nelson, it was revealed that cocoa gardens contain total hydrolysable N less than 1273 mg/kg were classified as responsive to N fertilizer.Key words: plant response, Theobroma cacao, soil organic nitrogen, N fertilizer, soil testing, fertilization, soil variability, soil hydrolysis

scholarly journals Implications of Irrigation Method and Amount of Water Application on Phytophthora and Pythium Infection and Severity of Root Rot in Highbush Blueberry

HortScience ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 1463-1467 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Bryla ◽  
Robert G. Linderman
Keyword(s):  
Root Rot ◽  
Phytophthora Cinnamomi ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Silty Clay ◽  
Water Application ◽  
Irrigation Method ◽  
Northern Highbush Blueberry

A 2-year study was done in Oregon to determine the effects of irrigation method and level of water application on the development of root rot in northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L. ‘Duke’). Plants were grown on mulched, raised beds and irrigated by overhead sprinklers, microsprays, or drip at 50%, 100%, and 150% of the estimated crop evapotranspiration requirement. Soil at the site was a silty clay loam. By the end of the first season, plants were largest with drip, intermediate-sized with microsprays and smallest with sprinklers; however, this was not the case the next season. By the end of year 2, plants irrigated by drip had less canopy cover, fewer new canes, lower pruning weights, and only half the shoot and root dry weight as plants irrigated by sprinklers or microsprays. Destructive sampling revealed that the field was infested by root rot. Less growth with drip was association with higher levels of infection by the root pathogen, Phytophthora cinnamomi. Phytophthora infection increased with water application, regardless of irrigation method, but averaged 14% with drip and only 7% with sprinklers and microsprays. Roots were also infected by Pythium spp. Pythium infection likewise increased with the total amount of water applied but, unlike P. cinnamomi, was similar among irrigation methods. Overall, drip irrigation maintained higher soil water content near the base of the plants than sprinklers and microsprays, resulting in conditions more favorable to root rot. Sprinklers and microsprays may be better alternatives than drip at sites prone to problems with the disease.

scholarly journals (164) The Influence of Mulch Applications on Vegetation Dynamics in Organically Managed Highbush Blueberry

HortScience ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 1033B-1033
Author(s):  
Nicole E. Burkhard ◽  
Derek H. Lynch ◽  
David C. Percival
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Shoot Biomass ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Plant Canopy ◽  
Canopy Volume ◽  
Split Plot ◽  
Leaf N

Within-row weed management of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) is reliant upon herbicide applications. However, in organic production, herbicides are typically not permitted and alternative methods must be used. The impact of thick (25-cm) mulch applications on weed pressure in an organic production system was initiated at a commercial operation in Nova Scotia, Canada, during 2005. A split-plot experimental design was used with five blocks (replications), six treatments, and five plants per split plot (cv. Duke). The whole-plot factor consisted of mulch/fertility treatments and included: i) control (no amendment); ii) ammonium sulphate fertilizer (30 kg·ha-1 N); iii) pelletized poultry manure (60 kg·ha-1 N); iv) pine needles (80 t·ha-1); v) horse manure and sawdust compost (550 t·ha-1); and vi) seafood waste compost (360 t·ha-1). The split-plot factor consisted of level of hand weeding (–/+). Weed control was assessed by sampling percent ground cover and weed shoot biomass in three 0.25-m2 quadrats in nonweeded subplots. Blueberry leaf N content, plant canopy volume, and berry yield (fresh weight and number) were recorded. The manure/sawdust compost and pine needle treatments had the lowest weed biomass and percent ground cover values, thereby providing the best weed control. Weed shoot biomass, blueberry leaf N, plant canopy volume, and berry yield were greatest in the seafood waste compost treatment. Results from this preliminary study indicate the potential of using these groundcover treatments to improve organic cultural management practices.

scholarly journals Ion-specific Limitations of Sodium Chloride and Calcium Chloride on Growth, Nutrient Uptake, and Mycorrhizal Colonization in Northern and Southern Highbush Blueberry

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
David R. Bryla ◽  
Carolyn F. Scagel ◽  
Scott B. Lukas ◽  
Dan M. Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Leaf Damage ◽  
Plant Tissues ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Salinity Treatment ◽  
Four Levels ◽  
Total Dry Weight ◽  
Southern Highbush

Excess salinity is becoming a prevalent problem for production of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium L. section Cyanococcus Gray), but information on how and when it affects the plants is needed. Two experiments, including one on the northern highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) cultivar, Bluecrop, and another on the southern highbush (V. corymbosum interspecific hybrid) cultivar, Springhigh, were conducted to investigate their response to salinity and assess whether any suppression in growth was ion specific or due primarily to osmotic stress. In both cases, the plants were grown in soilless media (calcined clay) and fertigated using a complete nutrient solution containing four levels of salinity [none (control), low (0.7–1.3 mmol·d−1), medium (1.4–3.4 mmol·d−1), and high (2.8–6.7 mmol·d−1)] from either NaCl or CaCl2. Drainage was minimized in each treatment except for periodic determination of electrical conductivity (EC) using the pour-through method, which, depending on the experiment, reached levels as high as 3.2 to 6.3 dS·m−1 with NaCl and 7.8 to 9.5 dS·m−1 with CaCl2. Total dry weight of the plants was negatively correlated to EC and, depending on source and duration of the salinity treatment, decreased linearly at a rate of 1.6 to 7.4 g·dS−1·m−1 in ‘Bluecrop’ and 0.4 to 12.5 g·dS−1·m−1 in ‘Springhigh’. Reductions in total dry weight were initially similar between the two salinity sources; however, by the end of the study, which occurred at 125 days in ‘Bluecrop’ and at 111 days in ‘Springhigh’, dry weight declined more so with NaCl than with CaCl2 in each part of the plant, including in the leaves, stems, and roots. The percentage of root length colonized by mycorrhizal fungi also declined with increasing levels of salinity in Bluecrop and was lower in both cultivars when the plants were treated with NaCl than with CaCl2. However, leaf damage, which included tip burn and marginal necrosis, was greater with CaCl2 than with NaCl. In general, CaCl2 had no effect on uptake or concentration of Na in the plant tissues, whereas NaCl reduced Ca uptake in both cultivars and reduced the concentration of Ca in the leaves and stems of Bluecrop and in each part of the plant in Springhigh. Salinity from NaCl also resulted in higher concentrations of Cl and lower concentrations of K in the plant tissues than CaCl2 in both cultivars. The concentration of other nutrients in the plants, including N, P, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn, was also affected by salinity, but in most cases, the response was similar between the two salts. These results point to ion-specific effects of different salts on the plants and indicate that source is an important consideration when managing salinity in highbush blueberry.

Nitrogen Acquisition Efficiency of Ericoid Mycorrhizae in High-bush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) Plants

HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 467f-468
Author(s):  
Wei Qiang Yang ◽  
Barbara L. Goulart ◽  
K. Demchak
Keyword(s):  
Mycorrhizal Fungi ◽  
Protease Activity ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Extracellular Protease ◽  
Organic N ◽  
Inorganic N ◽  
Nitrogen Acquisition ◽  
Ericoid Mycorrhizae ◽  
Extracellular Protease Activity

In laboratory and growth room experiments, protease activity among a diverse group of ericoid mycorrhizal fungi (isolated from two native and two commercial blueberry sites) was screened via a sensitive fluorescent assay and the efficiencies of mycorrhizal symbionts to use organic (a protein) and inorganic N were determined. There were differences in extracellular protease activity among mycorrhizal isolates within the same genera. Two isolates from a native blueberry site showed the highest extracellular protease activity. Plants inoculated with these two isolates produced more dry weight as compared to the control or plants inoculated with other isolates with lower protease activity when protein was used as the sole nitrogen source. These results suggested that some of the mycorrhizal isolates from native blueberry sites might be more efficient in acquiring soil organic N than those isolated from commercial blueberry sites. This possibility was further examined by using 15N and the results from 15N labeling will be discussed. Our study indicated that it was possible to isolate and identify ericoid mycorrhizal fungal strains which might be useful to increase the host's ability to utilize soil organic N sources.

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