Fall nitrogen fertilization in cranberry: effects on plant growth and fruit production

Plant reserves are essential to survive winter in temperate climates and to support the initial growth during the spring.
Fall nitrogen (N) fertilization can increase plant reserves and support shoot growth, fruit set, and yield during the subsequent growing season.
The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of fall N fertilization on reproductive and vegetative growth of cranberry vines.
Fall N fertilization treatments were tested in three commercial ‘HyRed’ cranberry beds in central Wisconsin and consisted of 0, 10, 20, and 40% of the standard nitrogen application rate (67 kg ha^-1) used during the growing season.
In the summer of the following season, the N fertilization balance (100, 90, 80, and 60%) of the standard nitrogen application rate (67 kg ha^-1) was applied to the respective fall treatments.
Yield per unit area was not affected by the fall fertilization treatments.
However, there was an increase in berry weight and a reduction in the number of fruits per unit area in the fall treatment with the highest N rate.
The lower number of fruits per area could be explained by the higher number of vegetative versus reproductive uprights in those plots, resulting from an increased N availability in spring.
Fall N fertilization could be a useful management practice for newly established bed and/or to promote new canopy development in vines that have suffered winter damage.

XII International Vaccinium Symposium

P.P. Rojas-Barros, J. Bolivar-Medina, B.A. Workmaster, A. Atucha

postharvest fertilization, upright proportion, vegetative growth, Vaccinium macrocarpon

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2023.1357.9