EFFECT OF CULTURAL PRACTICES ON FIELD GROWN ‘BLUECROP’ HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRIES, WITH EMPHASIS ON MYCORRHIZAL INFECTION LEVELS

In 1992, highbush blueberry plants were established on a mineral soil in a factorial experiment which examined the effects of mulch (rotted sawdust 15 cm deep), preplant soil amendment (rotted sawdust incorporated in the planting hole) and nitrogen level on vegetative and reproductive plant parameters as well as mycorrhizal infection intensity.
Predictably, plants which were mulched and/or amended grew better and had higher yields, however nitrogen had little effect beyond this.
The highest recommended level of nitrogen applied to non-mulched non-amended plants reduced yield.
Mycorrhizal intensity level was not associated with yield or canopy volume, however there was an interaction between mulch/amendment treatments and nitrogen level.
Specifically, when soil was both amended and mulch applied, there was no relationship between level of mycorrhizal infection and nitrogen level.
However, when soil was either amended or mulch applied, or when neither was applied, there was a strong correlation between mycorrhizal infection intensity and nitrogen.
The pH of mulched soil was initially higher than unmulched, with nitrogen acidifying both to similar levels.

VI International Symposium on Vaccinium Culture

B. L. Goulart, K. Demchak, W. Yang

highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum, nutrition, nitrogen, fertilization, symbiosis, ericoid mycorrhizae, organic matter, mulches, soil amendment, Hymenoscyphus ericae

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1997.446.41