scholarly journals Suitability of Eight Northeastern U.S. Native Shrubs as Replacements for Invasive Plants in a Difficult Landscape Site with White-tailed Deer Pressure

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pragati Shrestha ◽  
Jessica D. Lubell
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Aesthetic Quality ◽  
Lindera Benzoin ◽  
Japanese Barberry ◽  
Parking Lot ◽  
Native Shrubs ◽  
High Level ◽  
Deer Grazing

Nursery and landscape professionals are interested in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)–resistant native plants to replace invasive species used in difficult landscape sites, such as parking lot islands, which are dry, nutrient-poor, and exposed to sun and heat. Eight native shrubs [creeping sand cherry (Prunus pumila var. depressa), elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), gray dogwood (Cornus racemosa), highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), round leaf dogwood (Cornus rugosa), northern spicebush (Lindera benzoin), sweetbells (Eubotrys racemosa), and virginia rose (Rosa virginiana)] were planted in a large commuter parking lot on the University of Connecticut campus to evaluate their suitability for use in difficult landscapes. The non-native, invasive shrubs ‘Compactus’ winged euonymus (Euonymus alatus) and ‘Crimson Pygmy’ japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) were also planted as controls representing non-native species typically planted in such sites. Aesthetic quality ratings for sweetbells matched the controls (rating of 4.5 out of 5.0) and plants exhibited a high level of white-tailed deer resistance. Virgina rose and creeping sand cherry had similar aesthetic quality to controls, despite light grazing of plants by white-tailed deer. Elderberry was damaged by moderate white-tailed deer grazing and snow load, but plants regenerated to 485% of initial size in one growing season with white-tailed deer exclusion. Gray dogwood, round leaf dogwood, and northern spicebush exhibited the least resistance to white-tailed deer grazing. Both dogwood species had lower aesthetic quality than the controls, and round leaf dogwood had the lowest survival rate (68%) after 2 years. However, several individuals of gray dogwood, round leaf dogwood, and northern spicebush that were less heavily damaged by white-tailed deer grew into attractive shrubs after white-tailed deer exclusion. Highbush blueberry had significantly lower aesthetic quality than controls and only 75% survival after 2 years, indicating that this species is an unsuitable replacement for invasives in difficult landscape sites. This study identified the underused native shrubs sweetbells, virginia rose, and creeping sand cherry as suitable replacements for invasives in difficult landscape sites with white-tailed deer pressure.

scholarly journals Evaluating Landscape Performance of Six Native Shrubs as Alternatives to Invasive Exotics

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica D. Lubell
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Floral Display ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Aesthetic Quality ◽  
Japanese Barberry ◽  
Parking Lot ◽  
Native Shrubs ◽  
Seed Propagation

There is increased interest in using native plant alternatives to invasive species for landscaping. Several invasive shrubs are used extensively in landscaping since they perform well in challenging landscapes, such as parking lot island plantings, which are dry, nutrient-poor, and sun and heat exposed. This study evaluated the landscape suitability of six underused Connecticut native shrubs [american filbert (Corylus americana), buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), northern bush honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera), steeplebush (Spiraea tomentosa), sweet fern (Comptonia peregrina), and sweet gale (Myrica gale)] by planting them in a large commuter parking lot on the University of Connecticut (UConn) campus in Storrs. Two nonnative invasive species, ‘Crimson Pygmy’ japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) and ‘Compactus’ winged euonymus (Euonymus alatus), were also planted as controls. Buttonbush, sweet fern, and sweet gale performed as well as controls and had aesthetic quality index (AQI) ratings similar to controls throughout the study, which spanned three growing seasons. These findings were surprising for buttonbush and sweet gale, which are found in the wild occupying predominantly wet areas. Buttonbush plants readily established at the site as indicated by a 930% increase in plant size over the first growing season. Sweet fern and sweet gale produced attractive, dense, and uniform mounds consistently throughout the study. Northern bush honeysuckle and american filbert were slower to establish, but by the second and third year, respectively, plants were highly attractive and had AQI ratings similar to controls. Despite its attractive floral display, steeplebush performed poorly and developed powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca) symptoms in the first and second years, which contributed to a lower AQI compared with controls. Aesthetic quality for american filbert, buttonbush, and steeplebush was reduced because of variation resulting from seed propagation. For certain native species, plants received from the nursery were not robust, which may have had a greater influence on establishment and early performance than their inherent landscape adaptability. This study identified five underused native shrubs that are adaptable and able to replace invasive plants in landscapes.

scholarly journals Potential Acaricides for Management of Blueberry Bud Mite in Michigan Blueberries

2004 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-191
Author(s):  
Rufus Isaacs ◽  
Vicki Morrone ◽  
Dariusz Gajek
Keyword(s):  
Field Trial ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Laboratory Evaluation ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Mite Control ◽  
The Future ◽  
High Level

The goal of this study was to evaluate potential alternatives to endosulfan for control of the blueberry bud mite (Acalitus vaccinii), because the availability of this acaricide may be restricted in the future. Laboratory evaluations of potential acaricides showed that endosulfan and a combination of abamectin plus oil provided 97% and 100% control, respectively. Pyridaben and fenpropathrin were less effective, reducing mite survival by 49% and 57%, respectively. Further laboratory evaluation of the abamectin plus oil treatment showed that each component applied alone provided a high level of control of blueberry bud mite. Field trials in Michigan on a mature highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) planting were conducted to compare control of this pest by postharvest applications of endosulfan, delayed-dormant application of oil, or a combination of both treatments. The oil provided a 40% reduction in mite scores, while endosulfan was more effective (48%) and similar to the combination of endosulfan and oil (52%). A separate field trial using a multifan/nozzle sprayer that applied the pesticide in 233.8 L·ha-1 (25 gal/acre) of water suggested that the level of control from one application of endosulfan was not as effective as two applications. Results are discussed in relation to developing future bud mite control programs in blueberry and the need to address gaps in our understanding of the biology of blueberry bud mite. Endosulfan (Thiodan 50 WP), Endosulfan (Thiodan 3 EC), Abamectin (AgriMek 0.15 EC), Fenpropathrin (Danitol 2.4 EC), Pyridaben (Pyramite 60 WP).

scholarly journals Pollination Efficiency of Managed Bee Species (Apis mellifera and Bombus pauloensis) in Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) Productivity

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-64
Author(s):  
Pablo Cavigliasso ◽  
Fernando Bello ◽  
Maria Fernanda Rivadeneira ◽  
Nicolas Oscar Monzon ◽  
Gerardo Pablo Gennari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Pollination Efficiency ◽  
Open Pollination ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Fruit Setting ◽  
Floral Visitors

AbstractUnderstanding how bees use the resources provided by crops of massive flowering is essential to develop meaningful agricultural management of plans to maximize the potential of pollination service. We assessed the effect of the pollination carried out by native species Bombus pauloensis and Apis mellifera on the production and quality of blueberry fruits. In this context, we tested the prediction that pollinator assemblages benefit fruit yield. Four treatments were performed: open pollination, B. pauloensis pollination, A. mellifera pollination, and autogamy. For each treatment, the frequency of floral visitors, fruit setting, yield, and quality were evaluated. The results showed that Vaccinium corymbosum L. ‘Emerald’ is highly dependent on entomophilous pollination to obtain optimal production and high-quality fruit, and that pollination with A. mellifera generated the highest proportion of fruit setting (0.80 ± 0.03). The highest seed number was found in open pollinated fruits. This study highlights the effect of the interactions among wild and managed pollinators on the productivity of commercial blueberry fields, and is the first report of B. pauloensis use in blueberry pollination.

scholarly journals DYNAMICS OF SOIL NUTRIENT STATUS OF HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY IN LATVIA, 2006-2017

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-48
Author(s):  
Anita Osvalde ◽  
Gunta Cekstere ◽  
Andis Karlsons ◽  
Jolanta Pormale
Keyword(s):  
Peat Soil ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Market Demand ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
High Level

In Latvia, the first commercial highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) plantings have been established on a few hectares at the end of the 1990th. Since then, a remarkable growth has noticed and today the total cultivated area reaches 280 hectares. An increasing market demand for fresh and processed berries provides a future upward trend in the development of blueberry crop in Latvia. In general, blueberry is a highly specialized crop that has definite soil agrochemical and climatic requirements. There are two main soil types used for blueberry cultivation in Latvia: well-drained acid sandy soils with high organic matter content and sphagnum peat soils. Evaluation and management of plant mineral nutrition in such diverse soils are based on guidelines for the particular type of growing medium. A long-term study (2006-2017, divided into three periods: 2006-2009, 2010-2013, 2014-2017) was done to find out the nutrient status of blueberry soils in Latvia.  In total, 330 mineral and peat soil samples were collected from the upper layer of soils (0 - 20 cm) across blueberry plantations in Latvia and tested on plant available nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo, B), as well as soil pHKCl and electrical conductivity. In general, more than 50% of blueberry soils had low content of N, S, Mo and B, as well as a high level of Mn over the study period of 2006-2017. Less than 25% of samples in the optimum range indicated on N as the most deficient nutrient.

scholarly journals Long Term Interactions of Native and Invasive Species in a Marine Protected Area Suggest Complex Cascading Effects Challenging Conservation Outcomes

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Charalampos Dimitriadis ◽  
Ivoni Fournari-Konstantinidou ◽  
Laurent Sourbès ◽  
Drosos Koutsoubas ◽  
Stelios Katsanevakis
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Marine Protected Area ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Population Increase ◽  
Rocky Reef ◽  
Cascading Effects ◽  
High Level

Understanding the interactions among invasive species, native species and marine protected areas (MPAs), and the long-term regime shifts in MPAs is receiving increased attention, since biological invasions can alter the structure and functioning of the protected ecosystems and challenge conservation efforts. Here we found evidence of marked modifications in the rocky reef associated biota in a Mediterranean MPA from 2009 to 2019 through visual census surveys, due to the presence of invasive species altering the structure of the ecosystem and triggering complex cascading effects on the long term. Low levels of the populations of native high-level predators were accompanied by the population increase and high performance of both native and invasive fish herbivores. Subsequently the overgrazing and habitat degradation resulted in cascading effects towards the diminishing of the native and invasive invertebrate grazers and omnivorous benthic species. Our study represents a good showcase of how invasive species can coexist or exclude native biota and at the same time regulate or out-compete other established invaders and native species.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document