Articles
Yield components and fruit quality of highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) in three production areas in the Maule Region, Chile
Article number
1117_21
Pages
125 – 132
Language
English
Abstract
Research was done during the 2012/13 season in the Maule Region (Chile) to determine the yield components and fruit quality of blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). A factorial design with location (L), cultivar (C) and plant height (H) was used.
The study sites were: Linares (35°51RSQUOS; 71°36RSQUOW), Miraflores (35°55’S; 71°39’W) and Cauquenes (35°58’S; 72°21’W). Cultivars evaluated were ‘O’Neal’ and ‘Brigitta’. Sixteen plants were selected per location and cultivar, with 8 tall and 8 short plants.
Fruit was harvested every 4-7 days and we measured: soluble solids, fruit weight and number.
During the season we measured canopy volume and PAR radiation (% full sun) at 30, 60 and 90 cm from the apex.
The most consistent interaction was location × cultivar, which was significant for most variables.
Significant effects of the triple interaction (L×H×C) and size of plant × cultivar, which showed statistical differences in fruit number and yield (kg plant-1) were also present.
Under the 90 cm depth, radiation available within the canopy was less than 25% full sun for ‘O’Neal’ and for the Miraflores location, which has the potential to reduce return bloom.
Smaller plants had increased light availability within the canopy, but this did not increase berry yields.
Plant volume varied with location and plant size.
Berry yield was mostly determined by fruit number both in ‘O’Neal’ (r=0.89) and ‘Brigitta’ (r=0.88), while individual berry weight, soluble solids and canopy volume, were weakly correlated with yield. ‘O’Neal’ produced more fruit per plant than ‘Brigitta’ and tall plants were more productive than short ones.
Cultivar was the only factor that influenced soluble solids.
The study sites were: Linares (35°51RSQUOS; 71°36RSQUOW), Miraflores (35°55’S; 71°39’W) and Cauquenes (35°58’S; 72°21’W). Cultivars evaluated were ‘O’Neal’ and ‘Brigitta’. Sixteen plants were selected per location and cultivar, with 8 tall and 8 short plants.
Fruit was harvested every 4-7 days and we measured: soluble solids, fruit weight and number.
During the season we measured canopy volume and PAR radiation (% full sun) at 30, 60 and 90 cm from the apex.
The most consistent interaction was location × cultivar, which was significant for most variables.
Significant effects of the triple interaction (L×H×C) and size of plant × cultivar, which showed statistical differences in fruit number and yield (kg plant-1) were also present.
Under the 90 cm depth, radiation available within the canopy was less than 25% full sun for ‘O’Neal’ and for the Miraflores location, which has the potential to reduce return bloom.
Smaller plants had increased light availability within the canopy, but this did not increase berry yields.
Plant volume varied with location and plant size.
Berry yield was mostly determined by fruit number both in ‘O’Neal’ (r=0.89) and ‘Brigitta’ (r=0.88), while individual berry weight, soluble solids and canopy volume, were weakly correlated with yield. ‘O’Neal’ produced more fruit per plant than ‘Brigitta’ and tall plants were more productive than short ones.
Cultivar was the only factor that influenced soluble solids.
Authors
M.J. Palma, J.B. Retamales, S. Sánchez, G. Maldonado
Keywords
fruit number, fruit weight, soluble solids, canopy volume, radiation
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