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Northern highbush blueberry is a long-lived perennial crop that is well adapted to low soil pH conditions. The plants are often shallow rooted and absorb primarily the ammonium (NH4) form of nitrogen (N) rather than nitrate-N (NO3-N). Traditionally, commercial blueberry fields have been irrigated with overhead sprinklers and fertilized using granular sources of NH4-N. However, many new plantings of blueberry are irrigated by drip and fertigated by injecting liquid sources of N directly through the drip system. Three studies were conducted in western Oregon to compare fertigation to granular fertilizers and to develop methods to enhance the potential benefits of the practice. The first study was conducted in an established planting of 'Bluecrop' blueberry during the first 5 years of fruit production (year 3-7). Liquid sources of ammonium sulfate or urea were injected through a drip system in equal weekly applications from mid-April to early August. Granular sources of the fertilizers were applied on each side of plants, in three split applications from mid-April to mid-June, and washed into the soil using microsprinklers. Each fertilizer was applied at three N rates, which were increased as the plants matured (63 to 93, 133 to 187, and 200 to 280 kg·ha−1 N) and compared with non-fertilized treatments (0 kg·ha−1 N). Yield was 12% to 40% greater with fertigation than with granular fertilizer each year as well as with ammonium sulfate than with urea during the fourth year. Leaf N concentrations were also greater with fertigation in 4 of 5 years and greater with ammonium sulfate than with urea each year. The plants produced fewer roots with fertigation than with granular fertilizer, but the median lifespan of the roots was 60 days longer with fertigation. Soil pH declined with increasing N rates and was lower with granular fertilizer than with fertigation the first 3 years and was lower with ammonium sulfate than with urea in all but one year. Total yield averaged 32 to 63 t·ha−1 in each treatment over the first 5 years of fruit production and was greatest when plants were fertigated with ammonium sulfate or urea at rates of at least 63 to 93 kg·ha−1 N per year. The second study was conducted to evaluate the use of conventional drip and alternative micro irrigation systems in six newly planted cultivars ('Earliblue', 'Duke', 'Draper', 'Bluecrop', 'Elliott', and 'Aurora') of northern highbush blueberry. The drip system included two lines of tubing on each side of the row with in-line drip emitters at every 0.45 m. The alternative systems included geotextile tape and microsprinklers. The geotextile tape was placed alongside the plants and dispersed water and nutrients over the entire length. Microsprinklers were installed between every other plant at a height of 1.2 m. Nitrogen was applied by fertigation at annual rates of 100 and 200 kg·ha−1 N by drip, 200 kg·ha−1 N by geotextile tape, and 280 kg·ha−1 N by microsprinklers. By the end of the first season, plant size, in terms of canopy cover, was greatest with geotextile tape, on average, and lowest with microsprinklers or drip at the lower N rate. The following year, canopy cover was similar with geotextile tape and drip at the higher N rate in each cultivar, and was lowest with microsprinklers in all but 'Draper'. In most of the cultivars, geotextile tape and drip at the higher N rate resulted in greater leaf N concentrations than microsprinklers or drip at the lower N rate, particularly during the first year after planting. By the third year, yield averaged 3.1 to 9.1 t·ha−1 among the cultivars, but was similar with geotextile tape and drip at either N rate, and was only lower with microsprinklers. Overall, drip was more cost effective than geotextile tape, and fertigation with 100 kg·ha−1 N by drip was sufficient to maximize early fruit production in each cultivar. Microsprinklers were less effective by comparison and resulted in white salt deposits on the fruit. The final study was conducted in a new planting of 'Draper' blueberry to identify methods to increase the efficiency of fertigation with N fertilizer. Previous research indicated that more N was needed by fertigation during first year or two after planting because, unlike granular fertilizer, which could be applied by hand around the base of the plants, at least half of the N injected through the drip system was applied between the plants and beyond the root system. Twelve treatments were included in the present study, including four with different drip configurations, six with alternative fertilizers, and two to determine whether pre-plant or late-season applications of N fertilizer was beneficial with fertigation in blueberry. After 2 years, total plant dry weight was 28% to 58% greater with one or two drip lines near the base (crown) of the plants than with two lines located at 20 cm on each side of the row, even when granular or slow-release fertilizer was applied in early spring prior to fertigation with the wider drip lines. Wider drip lines often resulted in lower leaf N concentrations than other treatments and increased salinity (electrical conductivity) in the root zone. The use of alternative fertilizers such as urea sulfuric acid was effective at reducing soil pH but resulted in the same plant dry weight as liquid urea, while humic acids with N and other nutrients increased root dry weight by an average of 60% relative to any other treatment, including a control that contained the same nutrients. Pre-plant and extended N application had no measureable effect on plant growth. Overall, the results of these studies indicate that fertigation was generally more beneficial than granular applications of N fertilizer and, in new plantings, was most effective when drip lines were located near the base of the plants. Humic acids were also useful for increasing root production during establishment.
The objectives of this study were to: 1) determine how organic matter (incorporated vs. surface mulch) and nitrogen fertilization rate impact northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) plant biomass, carbon accumulation, plant losses and allocation, and mycorrhizal infection in mature plants, and 2) determine the magnitude of carbon fluxes (carbon net primary production (NPP), soil respiration, and fruit and pruning exports) and stocks within a blueberry production system, and how these are affected by typical management practices. Treatments were in effect for nine years since planting establishment; here we report on data collected in 2011 and 2012. Many of these treatments seem to have short- and long-term effects on blueberry plants. Long-term effects included the impact of pre-planting incorporation of sawdust, which as a main effect, had an overall positive effect on yield, and soil fertility, with all soil nutrients being above recommended sufficiency levels for blueberry production. Soil pH was increased by incorporation, and was affected by an incorporation by mulch interaction where incorporated bare plots had the highest pH, and the largest average plant dry weight and carbon (C) mass (3.5 and 1.7 kg/plant, respectively) despite the pH being above the recommended level for blueberry production. Incorporated plots in general, had a higher total field C stock averaging 97.6 t·ha −1 for mulched plots and 93.7 t·ha−1 for bare plots. Mulching as a C stock contributed 12.3 t·ha−1, 13% of the total C stock. Mulching as main treatment effect was not found to be beneficial in terms of increasing plant and soil C stocks. Although mulching did increase soil organic C in 2012, this did not seem to affect total soil C stocks, perhaps because soil respiration was also increased by the mulch. Nitrogen fertilizer rate did not affect plant biomass or C stock, nor did it affect soil C stocks and nutrients. Net primary productivity averaged 588 g·m−2.year and was not affected by the treatments, although incorporated plots had about 25% more NPP than non-incorporated plots. Our results have illustrated that with a goal of optimizing plant growth, yield, and C stocks, blueberry production systems that include pre-plant incorporation of organic matter without addition of surface mulch and moderate rates of nitrogen fertilizer are best. In addition, a between-row perennial grass cover crop is recommended to increase field C stocks and to limit soil erosion. The information gathered in this study can be used to estimate the contribution of C storage in temperate perennial crops to global C stocks. Recommended management practices could lead to a policy system where farmers receive incentives for sustainable low C agriculture.
I often see advice given by nutritionists and other medical experts recommending that you start the day with a healthy breakfast. Since blueberries are known to be one of the most beneficial of all fruits, a blueberry smoothie or yogurt topped with these berries are common suggestions. The trouble with this advice is that it may very well be counterproductive
Blueberry cultivation has increased dramatically as production has shifted into new regions. Blueberries are now widely available as food and also processed to be used in medicine and pharmaceuticals for their antioxidant properties. This new and updated edition covers the major topics of interest to blueberry breeders and researchers including botany, physiology, nutrition, growth regulation, photosynthesis, environment, weeds, pests, diseases and postharvest management. The main focus is on the most important cultivated species, the highbush blueberry, although information on other blueberries and related species is also provided. It is an essential resource for soft fruit researchers, extension workers, academics, breeders, growers, and students.
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Due to the rapid increase in world population and improving living standards, the global agriculture sector is confronting with challenges for the sustainability of agricultural production and of the environment. Intensive high-yield agriculture is typically dependent on addition of fertilizers (synthetic chemicals, animal manure, etc.). However, non-point nutrient losses from agricultural fields due to fertilization could adversely impact the environment. Increased knowledge on plant nutrient chemistry is required for improving utilization efficiency and minimizing loses from both inorganic and organic nutrient sources. For this purpose, the book is composed of 19 chapters that highlight recent research activities in applied nutrient chemistry geared toward sustainable agriculture and environment. Topics of interest include, but are not limited, to speciation, quantification, and interactions of various plant nutrients and relevant contributories in manure, soil, and plants. This book outlooks emerging researchable issues on alternative utilization and environmental monitoring of manure and other agricultural by products that may stimulate new research ideas and direction in the relevant fields.
Here is a book that sets forth vital information growers need to produce highbush blueberries effectively and efficiently. Written from the grower?s point of view, The Highbush Blueberry and Its Management presents technical information in a highly readable manner that is easy to understand. It helps growers make proper decisions before they plant--saving them both time and money. Simply by following the directions on planting, a grower could cut his post-plant mortality rate to less than ten-percent. The Highbush Blueberry and Its Management provides detailed information that growers can apply directly to their work. The author addresses various aspects of blueberry management, including how to select new cultivars, pruning techniques, soil preparation and management, harvesting, pest control, and marketing. He describes over four-dozen cultivars and discusses blueberry growth and development, fruit production, propagation, and more. The problem of pests such as birds, nematodes, and insects and mites is addressed and strategies for control of these pests are included. An appendix provides a chart, the first of its kind, to help diagnose disorders of highbush blueberries. The chart contains descriptions and discussions of these disorders to help growers identify and treat them quickly and effectively. Appendixes also include handy tables, equivalence charts, and calculations for fast and easy reference. An overview of world production of highbush blueberries informs readers of developments in other countries. This thorough and readable book is sure to become a trusted guide for growers of highbush blueberries worldwide. The book is international in scope and contains information useful to growers from Australia and Japan to Chile, Poland, and Finland, places where such information is often scarce, if available at all. Bursting with practical, helpful knowledge, The Highbush Blueberry and Its Management is a vital guidebook not just for professional growers, but for cooperative extension personnel and university-level small fruit researchers as well. With its readable style, it can also be used as an ancillary text at the graduate and advanced undergraduate level.
With the increased interest in and demands for compost from commercial horticultural industries, composting is on the verge of becoming an economically feasible option for waste management. While horticultural producers can create some of the compost to meet their own needs, demand has grown beyond what they can supply for themselves and others. Compost Utilization in Horticultural Cropping Systems gives you the tools to meet the needs of this growing industry. Consider these statistics: Americans generate about 200 million megagrams of municipal solid waste per year The agricultural market for compost could reach over 680 million m3 per year Two horticultural areas together account for over 50% of compost use: landscaping (31%) and food crop production (25%) Now consider this: Proven benefits of compost use, including plant disease suppression, better moisture retention, supplying plant nutrients, and building soil organic matter Increased pressure on peat supplies and wider availability of compost products Creation of composting enterprises by the horticultural industry in response to its own needs, rising disposal fees for organic waste, and consumer demand for compost at retail centers The first book to establish a composite of the existing scientific knowledge on the use of compost in commercial horticultural enterprises, Compost Utilization in Horticultural Cropping Systems gives you a comprehensive review of the production, use, and economics of compost. It covers production methods, compost quality and the parameters associated with its measurement, and the biological, chemical, and physical processes that occur during composting. Rather than searching for information in various places, now you can find all the information you need in one convenient source.