FERTILIZER PHOSPHORUS IN LOWBUSH BLUEBERRIES: EFFECTS AND FATE

Phosphorus fertilizer is routinely applied to commercial lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) fields in spite of inconsistent increases in yields and little knowledge of the effects of phosphorus on plants and soils.
This study examines the short term effects and fate of fertilizer phosphorus applied to several sites in Atlantic Canada.
Granular fertilizer phosphorus was applied in May 1992 and 1994 at rates of 0 to 92 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1. Much of the phosphorus (as high as 31% of that applied) remained within the organic soil horizon in August 1995, as available P₂O₅, but less than 10% was estimated to be in the mineral soil horizons.
In August 1994, 50% more phosphorus was found in the tissues of plants harvested from plots fertilized with 46 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1 than in unfertilized plants; no further increases were observed in plants amended with 92 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1. Plant growth, development and yields were not affected at any level of phosphorus fertilization over the two cycles assessed to date.
These results raise further concerns about the effects of repeated applications of phosphorus containing fertilizers on commercial lowbush production systems.

VI International Symposium on Vaccinium Culture

L. J. Eaton, Glenn W. Stratto, Kevin R. Sanderson

Vaccinium angustifolium, fertilizer rates, fertilizer accumulation

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1997.446.68