ISHS Acta Horticulturae 165: III International Symposium on Vaccinium Culture
TEN YEARS EXPERIENCE IN LINGONBERRY PRODUCTION |
| Author: | W. Dierking |
| Abstract:
To begin with, I would like to say some words about the origin of my plantation which is located about 50 km north of Hanover in Lower-Saxony. I have worked with Vaccinium crops since 1951. In 1962 I became self-employed. At that time, I took possession of my parents farm. Today, my plantation covers a total of 40 ha, including 12 ha Vaccinium crops, mainly highbush blueberries and, to a small degree, cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon), lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis idaea), and thornless blackberries. I employ 7 permanent workers and 70 – 80 workers during the blueberries cropping season. In 1970, Prof. LIEBSTER (Weihenstephan) suggested cultivating cranberries and lingonberries on a commercial scale. Experiments with cranberries were not possible because in the shallow and mostly sandy Lower-Saxony there are no possiblities to flood for harvesting. Forthermore, these fruits are unknown in Germany. They are imported in small amounts only, in spite of their good handling qualities on the market. At first, it was necessary to develop practicable methods for the propagation of lingonberries before cultivating them commercially. After this was done successfully, the first trials with regard mineral nutrition were planted in 1974, followed by additional experiments between 1978 and 1982. Until 1979, Prof. LIEBSTER was engaged in the planning and carrying out of the scientific works, since then, work was done by Prof. NAUMANN and E. KRÜGER (Uni. of Hanover). | |
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