Articles
Exploring nanocellulose as a freeze protection strategy in southern highbush blueberry in Georgia
Article number
1440_57
Pages
413 – 420
Language
English
Abstract
Blueberry production in Georgia is affected frequently by spring freeze damage, which can result in significant crop loss.
The most common freeze protection strategies (overhead irrigation and wind machines) are limited in their effectiveness, especially against temperatures lower than ~25-28°F. A new freeze protection method is needed.
Nanocellulose is currently being evaluated on sweet cherry and grape and may be effective for additional perennial fruit crops.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of nanocellulose fibrils as a freeze protection strategy on excised blueberry floral stems in a laboratory setting.
Southern highbush cultivar ‘Star’ floral stems were collected from the UGA Blueberry Research Farm in Alma, GA in spring 2021 over five weekly collection dates from February to March.
Three concentrations of one nanocellulose fibril compound were applied to blueberry stems using a CO2 sprayer and air-dried on benchtop.
Samples were run in a freezing chamber with temperatures reducing at a rate of 4°C h‑1 with nine temperature treatments from 4°C (control; 39°F) to -27°C (-17°F). Samples were held at 4°C until survival scoring within two weeks of application.
Lethal temperatures at 10% (LT10), 50% (LT50), and 90% (LT90) floral death were calculated and compared.
Overall, results were variable across concentrations and floral stages.
Treatments were found to significantly increase (P≤0.05) cold hardiness of floral buds in collection one for LT10, and in collection four for LT90. Current results suggest that treatments may provide protection on less progressed buds with more uniform surfaces, however, results are not consistent across LT values or compound concentrations.
The compounds evaluated may be too dilute to have maximum efficacy.
The data will be combined in a larger study examining additional compounds, concentrations, and application methods to build the foundation of nanocellulose as a freeze protection for blueberry.
The most common freeze protection strategies (overhead irrigation and wind machines) are limited in their effectiveness, especially against temperatures lower than ~25-28°F. A new freeze protection method is needed.
Nanocellulose is currently being evaluated on sweet cherry and grape and may be effective for additional perennial fruit crops.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of nanocellulose fibrils as a freeze protection strategy on excised blueberry floral stems in a laboratory setting.
Southern highbush cultivar ‘Star’ floral stems were collected from the UGA Blueberry Research Farm in Alma, GA in spring 2021 over five weekly collection dates from February to March.
Three concentrations of one nanocellulose fibril compound were applied to blueberry stems using a CO2 sprayer and air-dried on benchtop.
Samples were run in a freezing chamber with temperatures reducing at a rate of 4°C h‑1 with nine temperature treatments from 4°C (control; 39°F) to -27°C (-17°F). Samples were held at 4°C until survival scoring within two weeks of application.
Lethal temperatures at 10% (LT10), 50% (LT50), and 90% (LT90) floral death were calculated and compared.
Overall, results were variable across concentrations and floral stages.
Treatments were found to significantly increase (P≤0.05) cold hardiness of floral buds in collection one for LT10, and in collection four for LT90. Current results suggest that treatments may provide protection on less progressed buds with more uniform surfaces, however, results are not consistent across LT values or compound concentrations.
The compounds evaluated may be too dilute to have maximum efficacy.
The data will be combined in a larger study examining additional compounds, concentrations, and application methods to build the foundation of nanocellulose as a freeze protection for blueberry.
Publication
Authors
R.A. Itle, H.M.E. Cowart, D.J. Chávez, J. Mohammed, R.M. Holland, S. Mani
Keywords
fibrils, ‘Star’, floral bud survival, laboratory screening, cold hardiness
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