scholarly journals 320 Does Water Availability Influence Photosynthesis and Yield Components of the Lowbush Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.)?

HortScience ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 498A-498
Author(s):  
V.M. Glass ◽  
D.C. Percival ◽  
J.T.A. Proctor
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Drought Stress ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Stem Length ◽  
Vaccinium Angustifolium ◽  
Supplemental Irrigation ◽  
Node Number ◽  
Zone Length ◽  
Lowbush Blueberry

Drought is the most limiting factor of crops worldwide. Sound management of any crop is based on a knowledge of its physiology as well as response to drought. Therefore, water use management has become an agricultural priority, with increased research focusing on plant growth and yield under limited water conditions. The lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) is the most important horticultural crop in Nova Scotia in acreage, export sales, and value to the economy. A study initiated at the Nova Scotia Wild Blueberry Inst., Debert (45°26′N, 63°27′W), N.S., during the 1998 growing season investigated the effects of water availability on the growth and development of the lowbush blueberry. Treatments consisting of supplemental irrigation (i), drought stress (d), and a control (c) were applied to plants in their cropping phase of production. Net photosynthetic rates (Pn) were highest during bloom (i: 11.9, d: 9.7, c: 9.8 μmol·m-2·s-1) and then declined throughout the season. No significant (P = 0.05) treatment effect on Pn was observed. Stem sample analysis before harvest showed no significant differences (P = 0.05) between stem length, node number, flowering node number, flowering zone length, or number of fruit per stem. Samples from 1-m2 quadrats indicated the drought-stressed plots produced the lowest yield (378 g·m-2) compared with the supplemental irrigation (449 g·m-2) or control (512 g·m-2) plots. Results from this study suggest drought stress on the lowbush blueberry does not produce significant differences in the number of fruit set; it does result in smaller fruit.

scholarly journals Tolerance of lowbush blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) to drought stress. I. Soil water and yield component analysis

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 911-917 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. M. Glass ◽  
D. C. Percival ◽  
J. T.A. Proctor
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Drought Stress ◽  
Component Analysis ◽  
Yield Component ◽  
Vaccinium Angustifolium ◽  
Node Number ◽  
Zone Length ◽  
Lowbush Blueberry ◽  
Effects Of Drought ◽  
Wild Blueberry

A 2-yr field study examining the effects of drought conditions on the vegetative and reproductive components of the lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) was completed at the Nova Scotia Wild Blueberry Institute (NSWBI), Debert, NS, in 1998 and 1999. Drought and irrigation treatments were applied over 2 yr in either or both the vegetative and cropping years of production. In general, during the 2-yr study of the vegetative stage, soil moisture levels in the uppermost 0- to 15-cm depth were low (5 to 22%) due to lack of rainfall and increased plant demand. Although berry weight was not affected by drought treatments, berry number was > 50% higher in response to irrigation in both the vegetative and cropping years. From yield component analysis, it was concluded that node number increased at the expense of floral zone length in response to drought-stress. It appeared that the wild blueberry has adapted to partition its resources into vegetative growth under soil moisture limiting conditions, and into reproductive growth when moisture levels are sufficient. Key words: Yield, path analysis, irrigation, drought

Studies on the flowering biology of red sorrel (Rumex acetosella) ramets from lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) fields in Nova Scotia, Canada

Botany ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott N. White ◽  
Nathan S. Boyd ◽  
Rene C. Van Acker ◽  
Clarence J. Swanton
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Combined Effects ◽  
Perennial Species ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Vaccinium Angustifolium ◽  
Perennial Weed ◽  
Flowering Response ◽  
Lowbush Blueberry ◽  
Rumex Acetosella

Red sorrel (Rumex acetosella L.) is a ramet-producing herbaceous creeping perennial species commonly found as a weed in commercially managed lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton) fields in Nova Scotia, Canada. Flowering and seed production occur primarily in overwintering ramets of this species, indicating a potential vernalization requirement for flowering. This study was therefore initiated to examine the role of vernalization, photoperiod, and pre-vernalization stimulus on ramet flowering. Red sorrel ramets propagated from creeping roots and seeds collected from established red sorrel populations in lowbush blueberry had an obligate requirement for vernalization to flower. Ramet populations maintained under pre- and post-vernalization photoperiods of 16 h flowered following 12 weeks of vernalization at 4 ± 0.1 °C, whereas those maintained under constant 16, 14, or 8 h photoperiods without vernalization did not flower. Vernalization for 10 weeks maximized, but did not saturate, the flowering response. Pre-vernalization photoperiod affected flowering response, with increased flowering frequency observed in ramet populations exposed to decreasing, rather than constant, photoperiod prior to vernalization. This study represents the first attempt to determine the combined effects of vernalization and photoperiod on red sorrel flowering, and the results provide a benchmark for the future study of flowering and sexual reproduction in this economically important perennial weed species.

The impact of stem galls induced by Hemadas nubilipennis Ashmead on shoot characteristics of lowbush blueberry

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 401-408
Author(s):  
D. I. Hayman ◽  
K. E. MacKenzie ◽  
E. G. Reekie
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Good Reason ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Reproductive Season ◽  
Vaccinium Angustifolium ◽  
Lowbush Blueberry ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Vegetative And Reproductive Growth ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Significant Economic Loss

The effect of galls induced by Hemadas nubilipennis Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) on the morphology and reproduction of lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton) was studied over two seasons in three Nova Scotia blueberry fields. Comparisons of galled and non-galled shoot characteristics, and position on shoots of galls formed in the years of vegetative and reproductive growth were made. In June 1999, 30 newly galled vegetative shoots were arbitrarily selected, tagged and measured along with similar sized non-galled shoots on the galled clone and a neighbouring non-galled clone. Shoot characteristics were measured in the reproductive season during bloom and after harvest. At two sites, the dry weights of leaves and stems on galled shoots measured in the reproductive season were significantly less than non-galled shoots, but at a third site there was no difference in stem allocation. Galls reduced berry production on shoots at two sites. Proportions of terminally positioned galls differed significantly among study sites in the reproductive season. Shoots with terminal galls were significantly shorter, lighter and allocated less weight to leaves and stems than shoots with basally positioned galls. If the reports of increasing gall populations in Nova Scotia during the 1990s are correct, there may be good reason to believe that there will be significant economic loss of blueberries in the future. Key words: Gall, blueberry (lowbush), Hemadas nubilipennis, Vaccinium angustifolium

INFLUENCE OF PRUNING METHOD, FERTILIZER AND TERBACIL ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF THE LOWBUSH BLUEBERRY

1981 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
AMR A. ISMAIL ◽  
JOHN M. SMAGULA ◽  
DAVID E. YARBOROUGH
Keyword(s):  
Soil Surface ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Fertilizer Rate ◽  
Vaccinium Angustifolium ◽  
Flower Primordia ◽  
Tert Butyl ◽  
Element Concentrations ◽  
Pruning Method ◽  
Lowbush Blueberry ◽  
Blueberry Leaves

Lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) plants were pruned by rotary mowing or oil burning. Three rates of fertilizer and four rates of terbacil (3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-6-methyluracil) were applied. Burned plots produced twice as many blueberries as those mowed. High rates of fertilizer depressed yields of burned plants but not of mowed plants. Pruning method did not influence element concentrations in blueberry leaves. An increase in winter injury to flower primordia was associated with an increase in fertilizer rate. Terbacil applications increased blueberry yield only on plants pruned by burning. A system to prune plants closer to the soil surface needs to be developed.

LOWBUSH BLUEBERRY PRODUCTION IN EASTERN CANADA AS RELATED TO CERTAIN WEATHER DATA

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 809-812 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. V. HALL ◽  
L. E. AALDERS ◽  
K. B. McRAE
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Vaccinium Angustifolium ◽  
Lowbush Blueberry

Production of lowbush blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait. and V. myrtilloides Michx.) was found to be significantly correlated with June rain in Newfoundland and with June sunshine and temperature in Nova Scotia. When the data were combined for five provinces over 27 yr, no variables were of consistent value in predicting lowbush blueberry production.

The effect of foliar application of five plant growth regulators on the growth and yield of lowbush blueberry

1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 607-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Lewis ◽  
Hak-Yoon Ju
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Plant Growth Regulators ◽  
Growth Regulators ◽  
Foliar Application ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Flower Bud ◽  
Chlormequat Chloride ◽  
Vaccinium Angustifolium ◽  
Lowbush Blueberry

The plant growth regulators, daminozide (2500 ppm), chlormequat chloride (1500 ppm), ethephon (500 ppm), mepiquat chloride (100 ppm), and paclobutrazol (1000 ppm), were foliar applied to sprouting-year and to first fruiting-year commercial lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.). In sprouting-year blueberry, flower bud production was increased by paclobutrazol, resulting in significantly improved bloom and yield the following year. In fruiting-year blueberry, flower bud production was significantly increased by paclobutrazol in the year of application and resulted in improved bloom and yield in the following fruiting year. The effects of the other treatments on these parameters were in most cases not significant. Daminozide showed a significant bloom response with a sprouting-year application, but this did not translate into a yield response. Key words: Vaccinium angustifolium, plant growth regulators, paclobutrazol, flower bud production

scholarly journals Effects of deicing salt on lowbush blueberry flowering and yield

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonard J. Eaton ◽  
Jeff Hoyle ◽  
Andrew King
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Sodium Chloride ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Road Salt ◽  
Chloride Salt ◽  
Vaccinium Angustifolium ◽  
Deicing Salt ◽  
Salt Damage ◽  
The Road ◽  
Lowbush Blueberry

The effects of deicing salt (NaCl) on buds, blossoms and yields of lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) were assessed over 3 yr in two commercial fields adjacent to a major Nova Scotia highway. Concentrations of road salt on exposed stems were highest next to the highway, and decreased with distance from the road. Numbers of blossoms, and subsequent fruit yields were low nearest the road, and increased with distance from the highway. Numbers of live blueberry buds and blossoms, and subsequent yields, were inversely related to concentrations of road salt on the stems. Plants under plastic shelters placed near the highway had more live buds and blossoms, as well as higher yields relative to plants exposed to deicing salt. Key words: Vaccinium, sodium chloride, salt damage, desiccation

THE BIOLOGY OF CANADIAN WEEDS: 16. Comptonia peregrina (L.) Coult.

1976 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
IVAN V. HALL ◽  
LEWIS E. AALDERS ◽  
C. FRED EVERETT
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Pinus Banksiana ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Central Portion ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Vaccinium Angustifolium ◽  
Lowbush Blueberry

Comptonia peregrina (L.) Coult., sweet-fern (Myricaceae), is a weed of pastures, Jack-pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) stands, and lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait. and V. myrtilloides Michx.) fields of Eastern Canada. It is particularly prevalent on light sandy gleysolic and luvisolic soils from Nova Scotia in the east to the Ontario–Manitoba border in the central portion of Canada. The pruning of shoots by cutting or burning merely stimulates growth of dormant buds on the rhizome. Reproduction is also by seeds that are produced on bur-like inflorescences. Fortunately, this species is quite susceptible to several herbicides such as 2,4–D, dicamba and picloram.

scholarly journals COMPARISON OF FISH HYDROLYSATE AND INORGANIC FERTILIZERS FOR LOWBUSH BLUEBERRY

HortScience ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 187d-187
Author(s):  
John M. Smagula ◽  
Scott Dunham
Keyword(s):  
Phosphoric Acid ◽  
Stem Length ◽  
Flower Bud ◽  
Vaccinium Angustifolium ◽  
Inorganic Fertilizers ◽  
Lowbush Blueberry ◽  
Leaf P ◽  
Organic And Inorganic Fertilizers ◽  
Experimental Plots ◽  
Leaf N

A commercial lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) field deficient in leaf N and P was used to compare organic and inorganic fertilizers. In a RCB design with eight replications of 12 treatments, experimental plots received 33.6 or 67.2 kg·ha-1 rates of N (urea), P (23% phosphoric acid), N + P (DAP), N + P + K (5-10-5), or N + P + K (fish hydrolysate, 242). Fertilizer containing N alone was as effective in raising N leaf concentrations as those containing N and P. However, leaf P concentrations were raised more by fertilizer providing N and P than only P. Fish hydrolysate fertilizer was as effective as 5-10-5 in raising leaf N, P, and K concentrations in prune and crop year leaf samples. At the 67.2 kg·ha-1 rate, fish hydrolysate, N, NP and NPK increased stem length, N and NP increased flower bud density and fish hydrolysate, N and NPK increased yield compared to the control.

EFFECTS OF FERTILIZER APPLICATION, PRECEDED BY TERBACIL, ON GROWTH, LEAF NUTRIENT CONCENTRATION, AND YIELD OF THE LOWBUSH BLUEBERRY, Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.

1981 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 961-964 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOHN M. SMAGULA ◽  
AMR A. ISMAIL
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Concentration ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Stem Length ◽  
Fertility Rates ◽  
Vaccinium Angustifolium ◽  
Leaf Analysis ◽  
Lowbush Blueberry ◽  
K Concentration ◽  
Fertilizer Rates ◽  
Leaf Nutrient Concentration

Terbacil (3-tert-butyl-5-chloro-6-methyluracil) (2.2 kg/ha) and five fertilizer rates (0, 45, 90, 135 or 180 kg N/ha in a 1:1:1 ratio) were applied pre-emergence to commercial lowbush blueberry fields at five locations. Leaf analysis indicated that N, P, and K concentration increased with increasing fertilizer rates; however, Mg concentrations decreased at rates higher than 45 kg N/ha. Stem length and branching increased linearly with increasing fertility rates. Although fruit bud formation was unaffected, yield was reduced by all fertilizer treatments.

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