THE PRODUCTIVITY OF SOME BLUEBERRY CULTIVARS UNDER ESTONIAN CONDITIONS

Success in the cultivation of half-high and lowbush blueberry has been achieved in Estonia.
The objective of the experiment was to evaluate highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) cultivation possibilities in northern conditions.
The field trial with 15 highbush blueberry and three half-high blueberry cultivars was established in South Estonia (58°21′ N, 26°31′ E) in 2003. To select cultivars for experiment we took into consideration the winter hardiness of plants and harvest season of berries.
The experimental plantation produced its first yield in 2007 and current data are based on this year.
In 2007, ‘Blue Rose’, ‘Bluegold’, ‘Bruni’, ‘Caroline Blue’, ‘Chandler’, ‘Denise Blue’, ‘Nui’ and ‘Reka’ had more winter damage.
The blueberry plants of all cultivars had winter damage, but none of the plants died for that reason. ‘Blue Rose’ and ‘Nui’ had smaller plants.
The yields of highbush blueberries ‘Bluecrop’, ‘Denise Blue’ and ‘Hardyblue’ were the highest.
The berry weight ranged from 1.1 to 4.2 g. ‘Bruni’ and ’Nui’ had the largest berries.
The harvest season of ‘Caroline Blue’ was very late; therefore, some berries did not ripen.
Results showed that highbush blueberry grew satisfactorily in Estonian conditions and we can recommend all of these cultivars for the home garden. ‘Bluecrop’, ‘Denise Blue’, ‘Hardyblue’ (syn. 1613A), ‘Olympia’ and ‘Reka’ are more suitable for commercial cultivation.

IX International Vaccinium Symposium

M. Starast, T. Paal, E. Vool, K. Karp, T. Albert, U. Moor

Vaccinium corymbosum, Vaccinium angustifolium, winter hardiness

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2009.810.10