Articles
EXPERIENCE OF VACCINIUM VITIS-IDAEA /L. / (COWBERRIES) CULTIVATION IN CENTRAL AREAS OF EUROPEAN PART OF RUSSIA.
Planting was made in Spring before growth beginning in two-row band way.
The distance between rows – 30 cm, between plants in a row – 25 cm and between bands – 50 cm.
Taking root of the plants, picked up directly from natural undergrowth, was about 45–80 %, and those taken from forest nursery – about 95–100 %.
Experiments have shown that nursed plants are growing considerably better and secure higher yield, than those in natural undergrowth.
For three-year cowberries plants berries yield was about 400–500 g per square meter, for five-year plants – 600–800 g/m2 and on separate lots of land it was 1500 g/m2. Mineral fertilizers (30 kg of NPK per hectare after planting) provided increase in plants taking root, their growth intensification and larger number of flower-buds; berries yield increased 1,5–2 times to compare with control plots.
Positive influence of microelements was stated experimentally.
When using boron, berries yield excessed control indices 1,6 times.
Cowberries plants soil mulching with sawdust provided plant biomass increase, new root shoots appearing, yield and berries size increase.
Eight-year experience has shown the possibility and advantage of growing cowberries on special plantations.
The important task of researchers now is selection and development of disease and pests control measures.
The scientific workers of our station have chosen more than 30 cowberries forms, which differ in bush height (up to 28 cm), berries ripening terms, yield, form, colouring, size (up to 12 mm in dia.) and their chemical composition.
On collection lots these forms are being studied in comparison with foreign strains of cowberries such as Koralle, Erntekrone, Erntedank, Erntesegen.