Performance of blueberry cultivars under mild winter conditions

Abstract

Evaluation of yield performance is important to find the most adapted blueberry cultivars in a particular region. This research aimed to evaluate the flowering and hasvesting periods, the production per plant, and fruit quality of eight rabbiteye blueberry cultivars (Aliceblue, Bluebelle, Bluegem, Briteblue, Climax, Delite, Powderblue, and Woodard) and two highbush blueberries (Georgiagem and O’Neal), in mild winter conditions in Pinhais-PR. Flowering and harvesting periods, production, berry weight, size, pH, soluble solids, titratable acidity, ratio and color of the fruits were evaluated in the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 growing seasons, when the plants had two and three years old, respectively. Cultivars flowered from August to September, and harvest was concentrated in November and December. Berry weight, size, pH, soluble solids and acidity varied among the cultivars. The average ratios of 14.97 and 13.39 for each crop proved that the cultivars have good fruit quality. There was little variation in fruit color in the two years evaluated. Blueberry cultivars showed the staining characteristics and physical and chemical attributes of quality compatible to blueberry from other traditional regions. Under mild winter conditions, young plants of rabbiteye blueberry cultivars, Climax, Delite, Bluegem and Powderblue, are the most productive, while the highbusch cultivars bear few fruits.

Blueberry Supplementation in Neuronal Health and Protective Technologies for Efficient Delivery of Blueberry Anthocyanins

“…In addition, the time points when it could demonstrate a positive effect were critical, i.e., such positive performances were not observed at other time points. Another study investigating this improvement in more detail [72] showed that a BB product, equivalent to 240 g or 1 1 2 cups of fresh BBs, can have an acute effect on cognition in children and was particularly beneficial for critical periods of brain function development. Most recently, the cognitive effects of acute BB ingestion in this group of children continued to be reported with further findings on extended memory (after 75 min) and executive function task batteries (after 3 h) [73].…”

“…It has been well established that a rich diet of fruits and vegetables yields sustainable health benefits and reduces risks of lifestyle-associated health conditions. Blueberries (BBs) are one of the fastest growing fresh produce categories due to the high demand of customers [ 1 ], who have demonstrated an increased awareness of BBs’ benefits to human health. Interestingly, BBs have been labeled a “super fruit” or “superfood” for their ability to prevent or mitigate several diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer [ 2 , 3 , 4 ].…”