Articles
Soilless high tunnel production of cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) in the northern climate
Article number
1444_25
Pages
187 – 194
Language
English
Abstract
In Finland, the supply of wild cranberries (Vaccinium oxycoccos) is not adequate, and the food industry imports field-cultivated cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon) from North America.
Our goal is to enable economically viable and ecologically sustainable cranberry production in northern latitudes by utilizing high-tunnel soilless tabletop cultivation technology.
The aim of this work was to study the effect of a high tunnel on cranberry yield at 60°N and winter hardiness of North American cranberry cultivars.
The possibility of replacing peat with different substrate mixes containing Sphagnum moss was studied by recording the effect on vegetative growth and root winter survival.
Four cranberry cultivars were grown in a high polytunnel in forest nursery peat supplemented with slow-release fertilizer and drip irrigated. ‘Pilgrim’ proved to be the most productive and precocious under the northern conditions.
The berries produced in the high tunnel could be stored for up to six months in cold storage (+2°C). On the other hand, the winter hardiness of ‘Stevens’ was better than that of ‘Pilgrim’. While both shoot and root growth were reduced in a substrate containing Sphagnum moss and wood fiber, winter survival of cranberry roots was superior in this substrate as compared to peat.
Our goal is to enable economically viable and ecologically sustainable cranberry production in northern latitudes by utilizing high-tunnel soilless tabletop cultivation technology.
The aim of this work was to study the effect of a high tunnel on cranberry yield at 60°N and winter hardiness of North American cranberry cultivars.
The possibility of replacing peat with different substrate mixes containing Sphagnum moss was studied by recording the effect on vegetative growth and root winter survival.
Four cranberry cultivars were grown in a high polytunnel in forest nursery peat supplemented with slow-release fertilizer and drip irrigated. ‘Pilgrim’ proved to be the most productive and precocious under the northern conditions.
The berries produced in the high tunnel could be stored for up to six months in cold storage (+2°C). On the other hand, the winter hardiness of ‘Stevens’ was better than that of ‘Pilgrim’. While both shoot and root growth were reduced in a substrate containing Sphagnum moss and wood fiber, winter survival of cranberry roots was superior in this substrate as compared to peat.
Authors
P. Palonen, J. Pärssinen, E. Taskinen, S. Simovaara
Keywords
frost hardiness, overwintering, root viability, Sphagnum moss, substrate
Groups involved
- Division Vine and Berry Fruits
- Division Plant-Environment Interactions in Field Systems
- Division Horticulture for Human Health
- Working Group Vaccinium Species and Management
- Working Group Rubus and Ribes Species and Management
- Working Group Kiwifruit Culture and Management
- Working Group Strawberry Culture and Management
Online Articles (43)