PRUNING SYSTEMS IN HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRIES

The Ovens Research Station, Department of Agriculture in N.E. Victoria carried out a two year blueberry pruning trial on a commercial blueberry grower’s property commencing in the winter of 1989.

The aim of the trial was to investigate the potential of efficient alternative labour saving pruning systems to increase fruit size and the proportion of export-quality berries.

Commercial blueberry production systems have high labour requirement at harvest and pruning times.
Mechanisation of the harvest has so far failed to provide large percentages of berries suitable for export.

Amount and type of pruning will affect berry yield, berry size and time of fruit maturity.
The mechanisation of pruning as a viable cost saving option is feasible.

V International Symposium on Vaccinium Culture

J.C. Nieuwenhuis

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1993.346.23