Author
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Black, Brent |
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ZIMMERMAN, RICHARD - FRUIT LAB - RETIRED |
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Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 11/20/2000 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Highbush blueberry is adapted to low-pH well-drained sandy soils, which limits the number of suitable sites for commercial production. To increase the range of available sites, we are testing readily available by-products as constituents in soil-less media and as soil amendments. These by-products include coal ash, composted sewage sludge, leaf compost, and acid peat. These were combined in different proportions and compared to Berryland sand (alone) and Manor clay loam (alone and compost amended). In 1997, one year old tissue-cultured plants of 'Bluecrop' and 'Sierra' were planted in 15-L pots containing treatment media adjusted to pH 4.5. These plants produced their first crop in 1999. At the end of the 1999 season, one half of the plants were destructively harvested to analyze total shoot and root growth. Analysis of variance for total yield indicated a significant interaction between cultivar and media treatment. 'Bluecrop' was apparently more sensitive to media treatment as yields on Manor clay loam were 80% less than that on Berryland sand. By comparison, yield of 'Sierra' on Manor clay loam was 41% less than on Berryland sand. Yield of 'Bluecrop' on coal ash-compost mixes were similar to that of 'Bluecrop' on Berryland sand. Yield of 'Sierra' was 17 to 58% higher on these soil-less mixes compared to Berryland sand. Growth analysis from destructive sampling indicated a correlation between total growth, and fruit yield in 1999. Roots in Berryland sand and coal ash/compost treatments were throughout the 15-L volume of the container. In treatments containing clay loam, roots were limited to the top 10 cm of the soil profile. |
