Articles
SPRING FREEZE DAMAGE TO RABBITEYE BLUEBERRY BUDS AND BERRIES
Article number
715_13
Pages
101 – 104
Language
English
Abstract
A spring freeze on March 31, 2003 with a low temperature of -1.9ºC provided an opportunity to evaluate freeze tolerance of 11 rabbiteye (Vaccinium ashei) blueberry cultivars over a range of bloom maturity.
On April 4, three flower buds at bloom maturity stages of 4, 5, and 6 along with 3 small fruit ( < 4 mm) and 3 large fruit (> 5 mm all still green) were tagged and labeled with stage of bloom and number of individual flowers present or number of fruit present.
On April 25, flower bud, flowers, and fruit were rated for survival and viable flowers and fruit were counted.
Rate of survival was calculated from the number of potential fruit present (flower buds and green fruit) and the number of fruit alive after freeze.
Over all cultivars, flower buds, regardless of stage, had a higher survival rate than did fruit.
There were differences between cultivars. Austin, Centurion, and Yadkin sustained more freeze damage to smaller fruit compared to larger fruit.
The large fruit of Yadkin and Centurion had equal damage resistance as flower buds.
Overall, Powderblue, Ira, and Centurion had the greatest freeze damage resistance while Climax, Montgomery, Tifblue, and Premier were more susceptible to spring freeze damage.
On April 4, three flower buds at bloom maturity stages of 4, 5, and 6 along with 3 small fruit ( < 4 mm) and 3 large fruit (> 5 mm all still green) were tagged and labeled with stage of bloom and number of individual flowers present or number of fruit present.
On April 25, flower bud, flowers, and fruit were rated for survival and viable flowers and fruit were counted.
Rate of survival was calculated from the number of potential fruit present (flower buds and green fruit) and the number of fruit alive after freeze.
Over all cultivars, flower buds, regardless of stage, had a higher survival rate than did fruit.
There were differences between cultivars. Austin, Centurion, and Yadkin sustained more freeze damage to smaller fruit compared to larger fruit.
The large fruit of Yadkin and Centurion had equal damage resistance as flower buds.
Overall, Powderblue, Ira, and Centurion had the greatest freeze damage resistance while Climax, Montgomery, Tifblue, and Premier were more susceptible to spring freeze damage.
Authors
D.A. Marshall, J.M. Spiers, B.J. Smith
Keywords
Vaccinium ashei Reade, rabbiteye blueberry, freeze damage
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