Articles
BLUEBERRY CULTURAL PRACTICES IN AUSTRALIA (VACCINIUM SPECIES)
Site evaluations summarize climate, topography, soil types, water, facilities and client resources.
Development schedules detail site preparation, field layout, cultivar selection and cultural systems.
Tissue clture propagation provides the plants.
High density plantings of Rabbiteye, Highbush and Tetraploid cultivars are established in raised beds.
Weedmat fabric is installed along shoulders of raised beds.
Plants and irrigation are installed in soil between weedmat.
Plantings are sheltered with windbreak fabric or trees.
Along the East Coast and areas with bird problems, plantings are completely enclosed.
The structure has sides of windbreak fabric, a top of birdnetting and is designed to withstand most winds.
Cultural and climatic records are kept for each site.
Soil and leaf analyses help monitor plant establishment and growth.
Incidence of disease and pests along with climatic conditions help determine pesticide programs.
Plants are pruned to develop an open, upright structure.
Operating costs, production and returns are utilized to evaluate farm productivity and efficiency.