scholarly journals Effects of Fertilizer Rate on Growth and Fruiting of Containerized Southern Highbush Blueberry

HortScience ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy L. Wilber ◽  
Jeffrey G. Williamson
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Pine Bark ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Flower Bud ◽  
Soil Culture ◽  
Fertilizer Rate ◽  
Stem Blight ◽  
Southern Highbush ◽  
Fertilizer Rates

The effects of fertilizer rate and composition on growth and fruiting of ‘Misty’ and ‘Star’ southern highbush blueberry were evaluated in a containerized production system using pine bark medium. Two fertilizer analyses (12N–1.8P–46.6K and 12N–5.2P–9.9K) and three fertilizer rates were used. Plant growth and fruiting were unaffected by fertilizer analysis. Growth and fruit yield of ‘Star’ increased linearly with increasing fertilizer rate. For ‘Misty’, plant growth and yield were reduced at the highest fertilizer rate as a result of a high incidence of blueberry stem blight associated with that treatment. Flower bud density was highest for the ‘Misty’ plants receiving the high fertilizer rate and this may have resulted in excessive fruit set leading to stress-induced blueberry stem blight. Optimum fertilizer rates for young southern highbush blueberry plants grown in containerized pine bark systems appear to be cultivar-specific and similar to fertilizer requirements in soil culture.

scholarly journals Effects of Fertilizer Rate and Form on Vegetative Growth and Yield of Southern Highbush Blueberry in Pine Bark Culture

2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 152-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.G. Williamson ◽  
E.P. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Root Systems ◽  
Fruit Yield ◽  
Pine Bark ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Fertilizer Rate ◽  
Liquid Fertilizer ◽  
Berry Weight ◽  
Canopy Volume ◽  
Southern Highbush

Growth and yield of ‘Misty’ and ‘Star’ southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum hybrid) plants that were grown in pine bark culture were evaluated under several rates of granular or liquid fertilizers. Granular fertilizer resulted in larger canopy volumes and slightly greater annual fruit yield than liquid fertilizer. In 2003 and 2004, canopy growth increased linearly as fertilizer rate increased up to the highest rate tested [81 g nitrogen (N), 11.8 g phosphorus (P), and 44.6 g potassium (K) per plant per year]. Similarly, a positive relationship was found for fruit yield and fertilizer rate during all 3 years. Berry yield was positively correlated with canopy size, and there was no relationship between fertilizer rate and berry yield per canopy volume, indicating that yield and canopy volume increased proportionally with increased fertilizer rate. Mean ‘Star’ berry weight was greater for granular fertilizer treatments than for liquid fertilizer treatments, but mean berry weight of ‘Misty’ was unaffected by fertilizer form. At the end of the experiment, visual examination of eight plants excavated by hand indicated that root systems of blueberry plants were primarily located in the pine bark layer with very few roots penetrating into the underlying soil. Limited water and nutrient holding capacities of pine bark, coupled with frequent irrigations to the shallow root systems in pine bark culture, probably resulted in considerable nutrient leaching and a high fertilizer requirement.

scholarly journals Impacts of Vaccinium arboreum Rootstocks on Vegetative Growth and Yield in Two Southern Highbush Blueberry Cultivars

HortScience ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-45
Author(s):  
Rebecca L. Darnell ◽  
Jeffrey G. Williamson ◽  
Deanna C. Bayo ◽  
Philip F. Harmon
Keyword(s):  
Pine Bark ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Leaf Scorch ◽  
Canopy Volume ◽  
Southern Highbush ◽  
Vaccinium Arboreum ◽  
Bacterial Leaf Scorch

Vaccinium arboreum Marsh is a small tree adapted to low-organic matter soils and is one of the few ericaceous species that tolerates soil pH greater than 6.0. It has a deep root system and is more drought tolerant than cultivated blueberry. The use of V. arboreum as a rootstock for commercial blueberry production has been studied previously in young blueberry plantings. The objective of the current study was to expand on earlier work and evaluate growth, productivity, and tolerance to bacterial leaf scorch (Xylella fastidiosa) in established plantings of own-rooted vs. grafted southern highbush blueberry (SHB). Two field plantings of grafted and own-rooted ‘Meadowlark’ and ‘Farthing’ SHB were established in May 2011: one at the University of Florida–Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF-IFAS) Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra, FL, and the other at a commercial blueberry farm in Archer, FL. At both sites, four rootstock–scion combinations were grown in either pine bark-amended or nonamended soil. Canopy volume was greater in grafted compared with own-rooted ‘Meadowlark’ at both locations throughout the 4 years of the study (2015–18), whereas canopy volume in ‘Farthing’ was not consistently different. For both cultivars and both locations, canopy volume was greater on amended compared with nonamended soil. Although canopy growth was not consistently increased in the grafted compared with own-rooted plants, yield was greater in grafted plants of both cultivars at both locations. Cumulative yield over the 4 years was similar between grafted plants grown on both amended and nonamended soil, and was significantly greater than yield of own-rooted plants on nonamended soil, suggesting the use of this rootstock may decrease the requirement for pine bark amendment. In general, grafted plants produced larger berries, with no negative impacts on fruit soluble solids, titratable acidity, or firmness. ‘Meadowlark’—an SHB cultivar that exhibits high sensitivity to bacterial leaf scorch—displayed decreased development of bacterial leaf scorch symptoms when grafted onto V. arboreum compared with own-rooted plants. These results indicate the potential benefits of grafting SHB onto V. arboreum rootstock, particularly under marginal soil conditions. However, a complete economic analysis that also takes into account any differences in longevity between the two systems must be done to determine whether the benefits of using grafting are feasible financially for the grower.

scholarly journals Identification of Species in the Botryosphaeriaceae Family Causing Stem Blight on Southern Highbush Blueberry in Florida

Plant Disease ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 94 (8) ◽  
pp. 966-971 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. F. Wright ◽  
P. F. Harmon
Keyword(s):  
Population Change ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Internal Transcribed Spacer Region ◽  
Stem Blight ◽  
The Family ◽  
Identification Of Species ◽  
Time Of Year ◽  
Southern Highbush

Stem blight of southern highbush blueberry (SHB) results in premature plant mortality and has been identified by Florida blueberry growers as the economically most important disease for the industry. In 2007, plants with stem blight and dieback symptoms were sampled at 4-month intervals from two farms located in Alachua and Polk Co., FL. In all, 30 cane samples (stem blight) and 30 crown segments (dieback) were collected at each sample date and each location. In total, 360 samples were collected; fungal species in the family Botryosphaeriaceae were isolated from 85% of the samples. Based on morphology and phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region and elongation factor 1-α (EF1-α) sequences, two dominant species recovered from SHB in Florida were identified: Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Neofusicoccum ribis. Species isolation was independent of location, symptom type, and time of year. Additional samplings are needed to investigate population change over multiple years and in the rest of the southeastern United States. Breeding for resistance and management of stem blight and dieback in Florida should focus on these two fungal species.

scholarly journals ESTABLISHMENT OF `GULFCOAST' SOUTHERN HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY

HortScience ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 636f-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
James M. Spiers
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Peat Moss ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Fine Sandy Loam ◽  
Bed Height ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Southern Highbush ◽  
Irrigation Levels

In a 1989 field study, `Gulfcoast' southern highbush blueberry plants were subjected to irrigation [8 liters per week (low) and 30 liters per week (high)], mulching (none and 15 cm height), row height (level and raised 10-15 cm), and soil incorporated peat (none and 15 liters in each planting hole) treatments at establishment. Plants were grown on a well-drained fine sandy loam soil that contained < 1.0% organic matter. Plant volume was increased by either mulching, high irrigation, incorporated peat moss or level beds. Fruit yields were not significantly affected by irrigation levels but were highest with either mulching, level beds or incorporated peat moss. The bed height X mulching interaction indicated that mulching increased yield more with level beds than with raised beds. Plants grown with the combination of mulching, level beds, incorporated peat moss, and high irrigation levels yielded 1.1 kg per plant or approximately 10 times more than plants grown without mulch, with raised beds, without peat moss, and with the low rates of irrigation. Of the 4 establishment practices evaluated, mulching had the greatest influence on plant growth and fruiting.

scholarly journals FLOWER BUD HARDINESS OF SOUTHERN HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY CULTIVARS

HortScience ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 430d-430
Author(s):  
John R. Clark ◽  
Robert Bourne
Keyword(s):  
Incubation Period ◽  
Minimum Temperature ◽  
Gulf Coast ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Blue Ridge ◽  
Flower Buds ◽  
Flower Bud ◽  
Cape Fear ◽  
Southern Highbush

The southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) `Blueridge', `Cape Fear', `Cooper', `Georgiagem', `Gulf Coast', and `O'Neal'; the rabbiteye (V. ashei Reade) `Climax'; and the highbush (V. corymbosum L.) `Bluecrop' were evaluated for ovary damage following exposure of flower buds to 0 to 30C in a programmable freezer in Dec. 1993 and Jan. and Feb. 1994. The plants sampled were growing at the Univ. of Arkansas Fruit Substation, Clarksville. Damage was based on oxidative browning of the ovaries following an incubation period after removal from the freezer. With the exception of `Climax', a minimum temperature of –15C was required before bud damage was sufficient enough to differentiate among cultivars. All southern highbush cultivars and `Bluecrop' had superior hardiness compared to `Climax' at –15C in December, –20C in January, and –15C in February. Maximum hardiness of all cultivars was found in January. The hardier southern highbush cultivars were `Cape Fear' and `Blue Ridge'. Less hardy cultivars were `Gulf Coast, `Cooper', `Georgiagem', and `O'Neal', although the date of sampling affected the ranking of these clones for hardiness, especially for the February sample date. `Bluecrop' was not consistently hardier than the hardier southern highbush cultivars, except at the February sample date.

scholarly journals Seasonal Water Use of Southern Highbush Blueberry Plants in a Subtropical Climate

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey G. Williamson ◽  
Luis Mejia ◽  
Bradley Ferguson ◽  
Paul Miller ◽  
Dorota Z. Haman
Keyword(s):  
Water Use ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Pine Bark ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Daily Water ◽  
Irrigation Treatments ◽  
Southern Highbush ◽  
Seasonal Water Use ◽  
Amended Soil

Nonweighing drainage lysimeters were used to measure seasonal water use of mature ‘Emerald’ southern highbush blueberry (SHB; Vaccinium corymbosum interspecific hybrid) plants grown in pine bark beds and in pine bark amended soil in north central Florida. In the absence of rain, irrigation was applied daily with microsprinklers at ≈120% to 175% of reference evapotranspiration as either single or split applications. Leachate was collected and its volume determined from each lysimeter at 6- to 10-day intervals throughout the study. Water use, expressed as L/plant, was calculated as the difference between the amount of irrigation/rain added to lysimeters and the amount of leachate collected from lysimeters during each measurement period. Average daily water use was calculated for monthly intervals beginning in Apr. 2010 and ending in Sept. 2012. Water use increased rapidly during spring through the final stages of fruit ripening and harvest (May) with peak water use occurring during mid to late summer (July, August, and September). Plants grown in pine bark beds used more water than plants in pine bark amended soil during Apr., May, and Dec. 2010, Feb. 2011, and Mar. 2012, but there were no differences during the periods of highest water use. No differences in water use were observed between single or split-application irrigation treatments. Monthly averages for daily water use during the 30-month period ranged from ≈1.75 L/plant in January to ≈8.0 L/plant in mid to late summer. Mean monthly crop coefficient values during the 30-month period ranged from 0.44 in February to 0.86 in September. Canopy volume, yield, and mean berry weight were unaffected by soil or irrigation treatments.

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 Hydrogen Cyanamide Stimulates Early Foliation of `Misty' Southern Highbush Blueberry

HortScience ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 537C-537
Author(s):  
J.G. Williamson ◽  
R.L. Darnell
Keyword(s):  
Vegetative Growth ◽  
Fruit Set ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Full Bloom ◽  
Flower Buds ◽  
Flower Bud ◽  
Hydrogen Cyanamide ◽  
Southern Highbush ◽  
Chilling Treatment

Two-year-old, container-grown `Misty' southern highbush blueberry plants were sprayed to drip with two concentrations of hydrogen cyanamide (HCN) (20.4 g·L–1 and 10.2 g·L–1) after exposure to 0, 150, or 300 hr of continuous chilling at 5.6°C. All plants were sprayed immediately after chilling and placed in a greenhouse for several weeks. The plants were moved outdoors during flowering to increase cross-pollination from nearby `Sharpblue' blueberry plants. HCN sprays killed some of the more advanced flower buds on shoot terminals and on small-diameter wood from the previous spring growth flush. Significantly greater flower bud mortality occurred for the 20.4 g·L–1 HCN sprays than for the 10.2 g·L–1 sprays. Flower buds subjected to 0 hr of chilling were more susceptible to spray burn than flower buds receiving 150 or 300 hr of chilling. Very little flower bud death occurred with the 10.2 g·L–1 HCN rate on plants receiving 300 hr of chilling. Vegetative budbreak was advanced for both HCN treatments compared to controls, regardless of chilling treatment. HCN-treated plants were heavily foliated at full bloom, while non-treated plants had very few to no leaves during bloom. HCN may be useful for stimulating vegetative growth in some southern highbush blueberry cultivars that suffer from poor foliation during flowering and fruit set.

scholarly journals Flower Bud Load Influences Blueberry Vegetative and Fruit Development

HortScience ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 682e-682
Author(s):  
B.E. Maust ◽  
J.G. Williamson ◽  
R.L. Darnell
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Fruit Development ◽  
Reproductive Development ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Fresh Weight ◽  
Flower Buds ◽  
Flower Bud ◽  
Fruit Maturity ◽  
Southern Highbush

A field experiment was conducted in Gainesville, Fla., with two southern highbush blueberry cultivars, `Misty' and `Sharpblue', to investigate the influence of varying flower bud load on the timing and extent of vegetative and reproductive development. Flower bud load was adjusted on three different canes on ten plants by removing none, one-third, or two-thirds of the flower buds. Vegetative budbreak, leaf area, fruit number, and fruit fresh weight and dry weight were measured. Vegetative budbreak was delayed with increasing flower bud load. Vegetative budbreak, leaf area, and leaf area: fruit ratio decreased with increasing flower bud load. Fruit maturity was delayed and average berry fresh weight and dry weight declined with decreasing leaf area:fruit ratio. Responses were similar for both cultivars although `Misty' was more adversely affected by high flower bud load and low leaf area: fruit ratio.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document