Articles
Lessons learned from long-term research on organic production systems of northern highbush blueberry
Article number
1357_5
Pages
27 – 34
Language
English
Abstract
Long-term research on organic northern highbush blueberry has been conducted in western Oregon, USA since 2006. Outcomes from trials have had significant impact on organic production in the region.
Treatments from 2007 to 2016 were planted on flat or raised beds, fertilizing with feather meal or fish solubles at a low or high rate (73 and 140 kg ha-1 N, respectively, at maturity), and mulch (sawdust, yard-debris compost topped with sawdust, or black, woven polyethylene ground cover (weed mat)), in the cultivars Duke’ and Liberty’. Cumulative yield was 22% greater on raised beds than on flat land in Liberty’ but was not affected in Duke’. On average, cumulative yield was 4% greater with the low than the high rate of fertilizer and Duke’ produced 35% less yield with fish than feather meal.
Mulch had no effect on yield of Duke’, but Liberty’ produced 11% more yield with weed mat than other mulches.
Only cultivar affected fruit quality.
Weed mat decreased weed management costs by up to 75%, but reduced soil organic matter, and increased irrigation requirement and vole presence.
Weed mat has become the most common mulch used in the region.
Fertilization with fish solubles and using compost, both containing K, increased leaf K levels reducing yield in Duke’. Growers adopted using lower rates of fish solubles, improving yield and saving up to US$ 2,000 ha-1. In 2017, existing weed mat was replaced and added over the existing organic mulches and soy-protein based fertilizer used (only N at 106 kg ha-1). Stopping use of compost and fertilization with K improved yield in the mature plants by up to 50% over the 4-year study.
Adding weed mat over organic mulches improved yield compared to weed mat over bare soil.
Yields similar to those of conventional production are possible, however, choice of production system had significant impact on yield, returns, and long-term sustainability.
Treatments from 2007 to 2016 were planted on flat or raised beds, fertilizing with feather meal or fish solubles at a low or high rate (73 and 140 kg ha-1 N, respectively, at maturity), and mulch (sawdust, yard-debris compost topped with sawdust, or black, woven polyethylene ground cover (weed mat)), in the cultivars Duke’ and Liberty’. Cumulative yield was 22% greater on raised beds than on flat land in Liberty’ but was not affected in Duke’. On average, cumulative yield was 4% greater with the low than the high rate of fertilizer and Duke’ produced 35% less yield with fish than feather meal.
Mulch had no effect on yield of Duke’, but Liberty’ produced 11% more yield with weed mat than other mulches.
Only cultivar affected fruit quality.
Weed mat decreased weed management costs by up to 75%, but reduced soil organic matter, and increased irrigation requirement and vole presence.
Weed mat has become the most common mulch used in the region.
Fertilization with fish solubles and using compost, both containing K, increased leaf K levels reducing yield in Duke’. Growers adopted using lower rates of fish solubles, improving yield and saving up to US$ 2,000 ha-1. In 2017, existing weed mat was replaced and added over the existing organic mulches and soy-protein based fertilizer used (only N at 106 kg ha-1). Stopping use of compost and fertilization with K improved yield in the mature plants by up to 50% over the 4-year study.
Adding weed mat over organic mulches improved yield compared to weed mat over bare soil.
Yields similar to those of conventional production are possible, however, choice of production system had significant impact on yield, returns, and long-term sustainability.
Publication
Authors
B.C. Strik, A.J. Davis
Keywords
cultivar, fertilization, mulch, nutrient imbalances, yield
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