EFFECT OF CULTURAL PRACTICES ON FIELD GROWN ÂBLUECROPâ HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRIES, WITH EMPHASIS ON MYCORRHIZAL INFECTION LEVELS

Goulart, Barbara L.; Demchak, Kathleen; Yang, W.

doi:10.17660/actahortic.1997.446.41

Cited by 14 publications

(12 citation statements)

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“…Yield benefits associated with composts, however, were substantially reduced in non-weeded compared with weeded treatments, by 20% to 35% in 2006, whereas 2006 yields under PN were unaffected. Similar HBB canopy volume results attributed to the use of composted mulches observed in this study were reported previously by Goulart et al (1997) with the use of composted sawdust mulch and the cv. Bluecrop.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Organic Mulch Impact on Vegetation Dynamics and Productivity of Highbush Blueberry Under Organic Production

Burkhard¹,

Lynch²,

Percival³

et al. 2009

horts

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A 2-year study in Nova Scotia examined the effectiveness of thickly applied organic mulches as a method of weed control in highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.), and assessed weed and mulch impact on crop growth, leaf nutrient concentration, yield, and quality under organic production management. Mulches, applied in-row at 20-cm depth, included pine needles (PN), manure–sawdust compost (MC), and seafood waste compost (SC). Competition from weeds negatively affected crop growth and productivity, reducing canopy volume (16% to 38%), leaf nitrogen concentration and berry yields (up to 92%), number (up to 91%), and specific weight (up to 21%). Among mulches, PN proved to be the most effective in suppressing weed growth with 55% less and 73% less aboveground weed biomass compared with the control in 2005 and 2006, respectively, although PN productivity effects were much more modest. One year after application, PN lost some efficacy at suppressing weeds but was still superior to both composts. Distribution of weed species was substantially altered by mulch treatment. Both composts prevented some weed emergence (i.e., sheep sorrel), but weed seeds germinating in composts, especially SC, experienced prolific growth likely as a result of available nutrients in composts. No detrimental effects on short-term plant productivity were noted despite high C:N ratios of PN and MC (72:1 and 48:1, respectively). Plant vigor and yield were typically higher for compost mulch treatments, especially in weed-free subplots, and composts provided more complete fertilization reflected in increased leaf tissue elemental (NPK) composition. Fruit soluble solid (sugar) content was found to be significantly lower in PN and MC compared with SC, whereas total phenolic content was unaffected by mulches. Mulch application can improve organic highbush blueberry productivity by improving soil properties, nutrient availability, and weed suppression; however, precautions should be taken to avoid excess nutrient loading and weed seed contamination of mulches.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Organic Mulch Impact on Vegetation Dynamics and Productivity of Highbush Blueberry Under Organic Production

Burkhard¹,

Lynch²,

Percival³

et al. 2009

horts

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“…Soil organic matter probably decomposes more rapidly under weed mat due to higher soil temperatures (Larco 2010;Strik et al, 2017a), as noted by others under black geo-textile or plastic (Cox, 2009;Runham et al, 2000;Strik et al, 2006). In general, higher levels of soil organic matter improve plant growth and yield in blueberry, but the presence of weeds in unmulched, control plots can confound the results (Clark and Moore, 1991;Goulart et al, 1997;Karp et al, 2006;Kozinski, 2006;Krewer et al, 2009;Savage, 1942;White, 2006). In this study, weeds were controlled in all treatments, allowing for a direct comparison of mulch effects (Strik, 2016;Strik et al, 2017a;Strik and Vance, 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

Organic Production Systems in Northern Highbush Blueberry: II. Impact of Planting Method, Cultivar, Fertilizer, and Mulch on Leaf and Soil Nutrient Concentrations and Relationships with Yield from Planting through Maturity

Strik¹,

Vance²,

Bryla³

et al. 2019

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The impact of various production systems on leaf nutrient concentration and soil organic matter, pH, and nutrient status was evaluated from the first growing season (2007) through maturity (2016) in a certified organic planting of northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). Treatments included planting method (on raised beds or flat ground), fertilizer source (granular feather meal or fish solubles) and rate (“low” and “high” rates of 29 and 57 kg·ha−1 N, respectively, during establishment, increased incrementally as the planting matured to 73 and 140 kg·ha−1 N, respectively), mulch [sawdust, yard-debris compost topped with sawdust (compost + sawdust), or black, woven polyethylene groundcover (weed mat)], and cultivar (Duke or Liberty). Mulches were replenished, as needed, and weeds were controlled throughout the study. The impacts of year, planting method, fertilizer, mulch, and cultivar on leaf and soil nutrient levels over this 10-year study were complex with many interactions among treatments. Soil pH remained within the recommended range for all treatments. Plants fertilized with fish solubles had higher leaf N, P, and K concentrations than those fertilized with feather meal, particularly at the high N rate in both cultivars. By contrast, fertilization with feather meal increased leaf Ca. Compost + sawdust added a cumulative (2007–16) total of 2274, 400, 961, and 2744 kg·ha−1 of N, P, K, and Ca, respectively, over the use of sawdust alone, and increased the concentration of P, K (as much as 90%), Ca, and Mg in the soil relative to other mulches. Soil organic matter content averaged 4.1% under compost + sawdust, 3.3% under sawdust, and 2.9% under weed mat, averaged over the last 5 years. Mulching with weed mat or compost + sawdust increased leaf K compared with sawdust in both cultivars, regardless of fertilizer treatment. Leaf Ca, on the other hand, was highest with sawdust and tended to be lowest with weed mat in both cultivars. Soil nutrient levels were not consistently correlated with leaf nutrient concentrations, other than between soil NO3-N and leaf N (5 years) and between soil and leaf K (4 years). On average, raised beds resulted in higher concentrations of N, P, K, Fe, and Al and lower concentrations of Ca, Mg, and B in the leaves than planting on flat ground. Furthermore, concentrations of N and Ca in recent fully-expanded leaves at standard sampling time was higher in young plants than in mature plants in both cultivars, whereas the opposite was found for leaf P. In ‘Duke’, yield was positively correlated with leaf Ca in 8 out of 9 years and negatively correlated with leaf K and P in 5 and 6 years, respectively. Leaf Ca and Mg were also negatively correlated with leaf K in most years for both cultivars, as was leaf N. Although leaf N concentration was higher with added compost, regardless of fertilizer source in ‘Duke’, and when fertilized with feather meal in ‘Liberty’, this was not correlated with yield. High N rates increased leaf N concentration, but did not result in greater yield. While soil and leaf tissue testing are important to help manage fertilizer programs, the lack of a consistent relationship between soil and plant nutrient status and yield was a reflection of the complicated interactions that occurred among nutrients in these organic production systems. Soil nutrient imbalances and changes in leaf nutrient concentrations associated with extended use of compost + sawdust mulch and fish solubles may lead to growth and yield problems in longer-lived plantings. In addition, the loss of organic matter under weed mat would need to be addressed in long-term plantings for sustainable production.

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“…Soil organic matter is very important for highbush blueberry production (Chandler and Nelson, 1942;Goulart et al, 1996;Patten et al, 1988). More than half of the fields surveyed show that organic matter was added to the soil by either incorporation or surface mulch.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cultural Variation and Mycorrhizal Status of Blueberry Plants in NW Oregon Commercial Production Fields

Yang

2005

International Journal of Fruit Science

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EFFECT OF CULTURAL PRACTICES ON FIELD GROWN ÂBLUECROPâ HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRIES, WITH EMPHASIS ON MYCORRHIZAL INFECTION LEVELS

Cited by 14 publications

References 0 publications

Organic Mulch Impact on Vegetation Dynamics and Productivity of Highbush Blueberry Under Organic Production

Organic Mulch Impact on Vegetation Dynamics and Productivity of Highbush Blueberry Under Organic Production

Organic Production Systems in Northern Highbush Blueberry: II. Impact of Planting Method, Cultivar, Fertilizer, and Mulch on Leaf and Soil Nutrient Concentrations and Relationships with Yield from Planting through Maturity

Cultural Variation and Mycorrhizal Status of Blueberry Plants in NW Oregon Commercial Production Fields

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EFFECT OF CULTURAL PRACTICES ON FIELD GROWN ÂBLUECROPâ HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRIES, WITH EMPHASIS ON MYCORRHIZAL INFECTION LEVELS

Cited by 14 publications

References 0 publications

Organic Mulch Impact on Vegetation Dynamics and Productivity of Highbush Blueberry Under Organic Production

Organic Mulch Impact on Vegetation Dynamics and Productivity of Highbush Blueberry Under Organic Production

Organic Production Systems in Northern Highbush Blueberry: II. Impact of Planting Method, Cultivar, Fertilizer, and Mulch on Leaf and Soil Nutrient Concentrations and Relationships with Yield from Planting through Maturity

Cultural Variation and Mycorrhizal Status of Blueberry Plants in NW Oregon Commercial Production Fields

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Product

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About

EFFECT OF CULTURAL PRACTICES ON FIELD GROWN ÂBLUECROPâ HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRIES, WITH EMPHASIS ON MYCORRHIZAL INFECTION LEVELS