AGRONOMIC BEHAVIOUR OF FOUR HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY CULTIVARS IN NORTHERN SPAIN

Although the cultivation of blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) is not traditional in Asturias, Spain, a commercial highbush blueberry plantation was established in January 1989 at Villaviciosa, Asturias (5º26’W, 43º28’N), Northern Spain.
The cultivars studied were ‘Bluetta’, ‘Ivanhoe’, ‘Berkeley’ and ‘Bluecrop’. They were planted at a distance of 1.5 x 3 m apart.
The data recorded from 1989 to 1999 included flowering and harvest dates, as well as yield. ‘Bluetta’ was the earliest cultivar to ripen on 19 June. ‘Ivanhoe’ and ‘Berkeley’ had the greatest yields with and average marketable production of 6.44 kg/plant and 6.36 kg/plant, respectively.
The production level was very satisfactory, with an average full production of approximately 10 t/ha.
When analysing these results, several aspects must be taken into consideration.
Firstly, the farm does not have an irrigation system; secondly, the planting distance is wider than that currently recommended, and finally, the total number of plants is less (1840 plants) than the theoretical number calculated for a hectare with this planting distance.

Euro Berry Symposium – COST-Action 836 Final Workshop

M. Ciordia, J.C. García, M.B. Díaz

Vaccinium corymbosum, yield, bloom, harvest dates.

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2004.649.57