Articles
Photoselective devices: a novel technology to improve blueberry production
Article number
1440_31
Pages
221 – 228
Language
English
Abstract
Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) is the leading specialty crop in Georgia, with a farm gate value of more than US$ 350 million.
The main types of blueberry grown in the region are southern highbush (SHB; Vaccinium corymbosum interspecific hybrids) and rabbiteye (RE; Vaccinium virgatum). Severe weather conditions like high temperatures and solar radiation can adversely affect blueberry yield and fruit quality.
Photoselective devices or colored netting can mitigate adverse weather effects.
These devices scatter light within the canopy, altering the light spectrum, quantity, and quality, thus enhancing plant growth and development.
In this study, two photoselective devices: Opti-Gro and ChromaGro, were tested.
The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of photoselective devices on the physiological and morphological traits of blueberries.
Three experimental plots at three different locations were established using a randomized complete block design with four different treatments and five replications at each location.
The treatments were as follows: T1: Opti-Gro; T2: ChromaGro; T3: commercially used grow tubes; and T4: control (unprotected plant). Results showed that photoselective treatments increased plant height and yield in both cultivars.
In addition, berries harvested from the ChromaGro treatment in ‘Meadowlark’ had an increase in total soluble solids (TSS), and ‘Keecrisp’ had higher anthocyanin content.
Titratable acidity (TA) differed significantly among treatments; plants under photoselective treatments had higher TA levels than control plants in ‘Keecrisp’. The use of photoselective treatments also increased net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance.
The main types of blueberry grown in the region are southern highbush (SHB; Vaccinium corymbosum interspecific hybrids) and rabbiteye (RE; Vaccinium virgatum). Severe weather conditions like high temperatures and solar radiation can adversely affect blueberry yield and fruit quality.
Photoselective devices or colored netting can mitigate adverse weather effects.
These devices scatter light within the canopy, altering the light spectrum, quantity, and quality, thus enhancing plant growth and development.
In this study, two photoselective devices: Opti-Gro and ChromaGro, were tested.
The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of photoselective devices on the physiological and morphological traits of blueberries.
Three experimental plots at three different locations were established using a randomized complete block design with four different treatments and five replications at each location.
The treatments were as follows: T1: Opti-Gro; T2: ChromaGro; T3: commercially used grow tubes; and T4: control (unprotected plant). Results showed that photoselective treatments increased plant height and yield in both cultivars.
In addition, berries harvested from the ChromaGro treatment in ‘Meadowlark’ had an increase in total soluble solids (TSS), and ‘Keecrisp’ had higher anthocyanin content.
Titratable acidity (TA) differed significantly among treatments; plants under photoselective treatments had higher TA levels than control plants in ‘Keecrisp’. The use of photoselective treatments also increased net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance.
Publication
Authors
A. Godara, A. Deltsidis, Z.R. Ames
Keywords
net photosynthesis, stomal conductance, titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS)
Online Articles (74)