scholarly journals Deicing Salts Reduce Cold Hardiness and Increase Flower Bud Mortality of Highbush Blueberry

2006 ◽  
Vol 131 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven F. Berkheimer ◽  
Eric Hanson
Keyword(s):  
Cold Hardiness ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Plant Root ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Flower Buds ◽  
Flower Bud ◽  
Potted Plants ◽  
Soil Salt ◽  
Deicing Salts ◽  
Highbush Blueberries

Injury has been observed since the early to mid-1990s to highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) growing along roads in southern Michigan. Symptoms include shoot dieback, flower bud mortality, and reduced yields. To determine if this injury was the result of deicing salts applied to roads, salt (sodium chloride, NaCl) spray was applied to potted blueberry plants, and to the plant root zones. Bushes sprayed six times during the winter with NaCl solutions (0, 0.034, 0.068, 0.137, 0.274, 0.548 m) developed the same injury symptoms observed in roadside fields, and injury severity was proportional to the spray concentration. The root media of other potted plants was saturated with NaCl solutions (0, 0.017, 0.051, 0.154, and 0.462 m) in Mar. 2002. Pots were then rinsed with fresh well water when growth began in April to determine if soil salt caused similar damage. The highest soil salt levels killed most above ground growth, and damage diminished with decreasing salt levels. Twigs were also excised from branches sprayed twice with NaCl solutions or water and frozen incrementally to measure the temperature resulting in 50% flower bud mortality (LT50). Salt exposure reduced the LT50 of flower buds, by as much as 11.5 °C, relative to the control, even within 2 days of treatment. Additional studies with chloride salts (NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, MgCl2) and sodium salts (NaCl, Na-acetate, Na2SO4) indicated that most reduced the cold tolerance of blueberry flower buds to some degree.

INFLUENCE OF SURFACTANTS ON BLOSSOM COLD HARDINESS AND YIELD IN HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY (VACCINIUM CORYMBOSUM L.)

1980 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 255-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. ROBBINS ◽  
C. C. DOUGHTY
Keyword(s):  
Cold Hardiness ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Cold Injury ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Flower Buds ◽  
Highbush Blueberries

Treatment of highbush blueberries during the blossom period with the surfactants X-77 and Surfactant WK caused the flowers and flower buds to be more susceptible to cold injury. Treated plants produced lighter yields of smaller berries than untreated plants. Treatments with Multifilm showed no effect.

scholarly journals Blueberry Flower-bud Hardiness Is Not Estimated by Differential Thermal Analysis

1994 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 295-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy L. Flinn ◽  
Edward N. Ashworth
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Analysis ◽  
Differential Thermal Analysis ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Freezing Behavior ◽  
Flower Buds ◽  
Flower Bud ◽  
Cooling Rates ◽  
Stem Segments

Differential thermal analysis (DTA) was used to study the freezing behavior of `Berkeley' blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) flower buds at cooling rates of 10, 5, and 2C/hour. Experiments were conducted at various stages of hardiness on excised and attached (5 cm of stem) buds. The presence and number of low-temperature exotherms (LTEs) in hardy buds generally increased when analyses were conducted using faster cooling rates with excised buds. The number of LTEs detected in individual buds did not correlate (r2 = 0.27) with the number of injured florets. The inability to detect LTEs in buds attached to stem segments and cooled at 2C/hour indicates that DTA cannot reliably estimate blueberry flower-bud hardiness in field plantings.

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 FLOWER BUD COLD HARDINESS OF NATIVE AZALEA ECOTYPES

HortScience ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 624H-624
Author(s):  
Norman E. Pellett ◽  
Nancy Rowan ◽  
John Aleong
Keyword(s):  
Cold Acclimation ◽  
North American ◽  
Cold Hardiness ◽  
Flower Buds ◽  
Flower Bud ◽  
Native North American ◽  
Mean Temperature ◽  
Acclimation Period ◽  
Freezing Temperatures ◽  
Species Being

Flower buds of eight ecotypes representing three native North American azalea species being grown in Burlington, Vermont were compared for cold hardiness by laboratory freezing during the cold acclimation period for three years. Species were Rhododendron calendulaceum, R. prinophyllum, and R. viscosum. There was a high variation in the number of florets killed within an inflorescens in response to freezing temperatures. There was little difference in the cold hardiness of florets of R. Pinophyllum and R. calendulaceum florets, but R. viscosum florets were hardier. Some differences were noted in cold hardiness of florets of ecotypes, but these were not necessarily related to latitude of origin. Cold hardiness showed a relationship with the daily mean temperature of the three days preceding freezing tests.

scholarly journals Water Status in Relation to Maintenance and Release from Dormancy in Blueberry Flower Buds

1998 ◽  
Vol 123 (5) ◽  
pp. 762-769 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cécile M. Parmentier ◽  
Lisa J. Rowland ◽  
Michael J. Linc
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Significant Variation ◽  
Cold Hardiness ◽  
Water Status ◽  
Relaxation Times ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Flower Buds ◽  
Vaccinium Ashei ◽  
Long Day ◽  
Vaccinium Darrowi

Three blueberry (Vaccinium section Cyanococcus) genotypes, that have different chilling requirements and levels of cold hardiness, were studied. Depth of dormancy was evaluated and water status was determined, using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), throughout the accumulation of chilling that leads to release from dormancy. Among the two highbush cultivars studied, `Bluecrop' (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) was the most dormant and `Gulfcoast' (Vaccinium corymbosum L. x Vaccinium darrowi Camp) was the least dormant. The rabbiteye cultivar `Tifblue' (Vaccinium ashei Reade) had an intermediate dormancy. It appeared that the cultivar with the deepest dormancy had also the highest chilling requirement (CR). The NMR results showed that `Bluecrop' buds had the lowest relaxation times (T2), indicating that water was relatively more bound in `Bluecrop' buds than in the buds of the two other cultivars. Whatever the cultivar, no significant variation of T2s and water content of the buds was noted throughout the accumulation of chilling, even after CRs were satisfied. Within 1 day of forcing (24 °C, long day), there was a shift towards freer water but no change in the water content. Forcing was ineffective in freeing water until the plants received enough chilling to satisfy their CRs.

scholarly journals Cold Injury of Southern Blueberries as a Function of Germplasm and Season of Flower Bud Development

HortScience ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Patten ◽  
Elizabeth Neuendorff ◽  
Gary Nimr ◽  
John R. Clark ◽  
Gina Fernandez
Keyword(s):  
Frost Damage ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Flower Buds ◽  
Flower Bud ◽  
Bud Development ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Cold Damage ◽  
Southern Highbush ◽  
Flower Bud Development

The relative tolerance of flower buds and flowers of southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) to cold damage was compared to rabbiteye (Vaccinium ashei Reade) and highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). For similar stages of floral bud development, southern highbush and highbush cultivars had less winter freeze and spring frost damage than rabbiteye cultivars. Cold damage increased linearly with stage of flower bud development. Small fruit were more sensitive to frost damage than open flowers. Rabbiteye blueberry flower buds formed during the fall growth flush were more hardy than buds formed during the spring growth flush, regardless of cultivar or stage of development.

scholarly journals Flower Bud Mortality and Salt Levels in Highbush Blueberry Fields Adjacent to Michigan Highways Treated with Deicing Salt

2006 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 508-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven F. Berkheimer ◽  
Eric J. Hanson ◽  
Jason K. Potter ◽  
Jeffrey A. Andresen
Keyword(s):  
Global Positioning System ◽  
Salt Spray ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Apparent Effect ◽  
Flower Bud ◽  
The Road ◽  
Deicing Salts ◽  
Prevailing Wind Direction ◽  
Global Positioning

Some highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) fields adjacent to Michigan roads exhibit abnormally high levels of winter fl ower bud mortality and twig dieback, even following relatively mild winters. This work was conducted to determine if this injury was caused by deicing salts (primarily sodium chloride) that are applied to adjacent roads and blown by the wind onto bushes. Flower bud mortality was recorded in the spring at several locations within six farms adjacent to divided highways treated with deicing salts. Four farms were east of highways (downwind of prevailing wind direction) and two were west (upwind) of highways. Each May for 3 years, the numbers of live and dead fl ower buds were counted on plants located varying distances from the highway. Bush position and distance from the highway were determined with global positioning system (GPS) equipment. Bud health was also assessed monthly during the winter. In fields located downwind of highways, bud mortality was consistently greatest close to the road and decreased with distance. Salt had an apparent effect on mortality 60 to 120 m from the highway, depending on the year. In fields west or upwind of highways, bud mortality was not consistently related to distance from the highway. Flower bud injury was evident by mid-January, and increased throughout the winter. Results indicated that wind-blown salt spray can cause considerable injury in blueberry fields close to salted roads.

scholarly journals Supercooling and Cold Hardiness in Sour Cherry Germplasm: Flower Buds

2004 ◽  
Vol 129 (5) ◽  
pp. 675-681 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.M. Mathers
Keyword(s):  
Cold Hardiness ◽  
Geographic Origin ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Sour Cherry ◽  
Commercial Production ◽  
Flower Buds ◽  
Flower Bud ◽  
Floral Tissue ◽  
Annual Minimum Temperature ◽  
Freezing Temperatures

Flower buds of two sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.), 12 sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) and one ground cherry (P. fruticosa Pall.) were collected monthly from Aug. 1990 to Mar. 1991, and subjected to freeze tests to determine the level of cold hardiness. LT50 values (temperatures at which 50% of the flower buds were killed) summed over all months were significantly correlated (r = 0.6844, P ≤ 0.01) to the flower bud low temperature exotherms (LTEs). Correlation of LTEs to LT50 values was highest, r = 0.85, P ≤ 0.01 for the acclimation and midwinter period, November to February collections. During this period the average LT50 occurred before and within 2.5 °C of the LTE, indicating tissue injury before the LTE occurrence. During deacclimation, represented by the March collection, the LT50 began within 2.0 °C, on average, of the LTE, and in 11 of 12 cultivars and seedlings preceded the LTE. In March, the correlation of LTEs to LT50 values was less, r = 0.69, P ≤ 0.05, indicating possible changes flower bud deep supercooling. LTE values were selected as a measure of flower bud hardiness in sour cherry. Exotherms were not detected in the flower buds of all germplasm tested on all evaluation dates, but were the best means of separating selections. While LTE analyses expressed significant differences in November, December, and March at P ≤ 0.01, the LT50 analyses expressed differences only in December and February at P ≤ 0.05. The relationship between ambient temperatures and floral tissue hardiness indicated that November and March are two critical times for flower bud injury. November injury would occur in years when sudden low temperatures occur without sufficient pre-exposure to freezing temperatures. March injury would occur in years when sudden freezing temperatures follow warm days. This type of injury would be most pronounced in southern genotypes. Spring freeze injury could be significantly reduced by the selection of cultivars and seedlings that have delayed deacclimation. Exotherm occurrence and bud volume were correlated (r = 0.95, P ≤ 0.05). In January, when exotherms were least prevalent, they were generally present only in the five cultivars and seedlings with large bud volumes. The LTEs in midwinter, occurred within 3 °C of the reported average annual minimum temperature for the northern range of Prunus commercial production (Zone 6). The results of the principal component analysis of flower bud LTEs indicated that other selection criteria as flowering time might have played a more significant role in the hardiness range of sour cherry than simply geographic origin. The first principal component (PC1), which accounted for 77% of the total variance was used to separate among cultivars and seedlings. Selections at the positive end of PC1 had flower buds that were more cold susceptible than selections at the negative end of PC. This concurs with other research showing that flower bud hardiness is related more to commercial range (i.e., the range of commercial production) than to geographic distribution.

scholarly journals Winter Frosts Reduce Flower Bud Survival in High-Mountain Plants

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1507
Author(s):  
Johanna Wagner ◽  
Karla Gruber ◽  
Ursula Ladinig ◽  
Othmar Buchner ◽  
Gilbert Neuner
Keyword(s):  
Frost Damage ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
European Alps ◽  
Flower Buds ◽  
Flower Bud ◽  
Potted Plants ◽  
Cushion Plants ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Flowering Frequency ◽  
Mountain Plants

At higher elevations in the European Alps, plants may experience winter temperatures of −30 °C and lower at snow-free sites. Vegetative organs are usually sufficiently frost hardy to survive such low temperatures, but it is largely unknown if this also applies to generative structures. We investigated winter frost effects on flower buds in the cushion plants Saxifraga bryoides L. (subnival-nival) and Saxifraga moschata Wulfen (alpine-nival) growing at differently exposed sites, and the chionophilous cryptophyte Ranunculus glacialis L. (subnival-nival). Potted plants were subjected to short-time (ST) and long-time (LT) freezing between −10 and −30 °C in temperature-controlled freezers. Frost damage, ice nucleation and flowering frequency in summer were determined. Flower bud viability and flowering frequency decreased significantly with decreasing temperature and exposure time in both saxifrages. Already, −10 °C LT-freezing caused the first injuries. Below −20 °C, the mean losses were 47% (ST) and 75% (LT) in S. bryoides, and 19% (ST) and 38% (LT) in S. moschata. Winter buds of both saxifrages did not supercool, suggesting that damages were caused by freeze dehydration. R. glacialis remained largely undamaged down to −30 °C in the ST experiment, but did not survive permanent freezing below −20 °C. Winter snow cover is essential for the survival of flower buds and indirectly for reproductive fitness. This problem gains particular relevance in the context of winter periods with low precipitation and winter warming events leading to the melting of the protective snowpack.

scholarly journals Reproductive Development in Evergreen vs. Deciduous Blueberry Production System

HortScience ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 443D-443
Author(s):  
Peter A.W. Swain ◽  
Rebecca L. Darnell
Keyword(s):  
Production System ◽  
Reproductive Development ◽  
Vaccinium Corymbosum ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Highbush Blueberry ◽  
Fresh Weight ◽  
Flower Buds ◽  
Flower Bud ◽  
Active Growth ◽  
Southern Highbush

Two cultivars of southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum interspecific hybrid) were grown in containers under the traditional deciduous production system, or the dormancy-avoiding evergreen production system. In the dormancy-avoiding system, plants are maintained evergreen and do not enter dormancy in the winter. This alleviates the chilling requirement, thus extending the potential growing area of blueberries into subtropical regions. Plants in the evergreen production system were maintained in active growth through weekly or biweekly N fertilization (≈21–23 g N/ plant per year). Keeping foliage through the year lengthens the duration of the photosynthetic season of the plant and is hypothesized to improve the carbohydrate (CHO) status of the evergreen plants. This, in turn, may decrease source limitations to reproductive development and potentially increase fruit number and/or size. In both cultivars, the evergreen production system advanced the time of anthesis by 3 to 4 weeks compared to the deciduous production system. Plants in the evergreen system initiated 10% to 25% more flower buds than plants in the deciduous system, depending on cultivar. Average leaf area, leaf fresh weight, total above-ground fresh weight, bud density, and cane length were greater in the evergreen plants than deciduous. The evergreen production system increased plant fresh weight and flower bud number compared to the deciduous system, and may ultimately increase yield.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document