ISHS Acta Horticulturae 446: VI International Symposium on Vaccinium Culture
FERTIGATION VS. SURFACE APPLICATION OF NITROGEN DURING BLUEBERRY PLANT ESTABLISHMENT |
| Authors: | Chad E. Finn, M. R. Warmund |
| Keywords: | Vaccinium corymbosum L., drip irrigation, fruiting, growth |
| Abstract:
Nitrogen (N) was applied either as a granular surface application at budbreak, budbreak + 6 weeks and budbreak + 12 weeks or weekly to blueberry plants through the drip irrigation system (fertigation). Total N applied for the season was equivalent for each delivery system. Fruit yield and plant volume were greater under the fertigation regime than those of plants receiving surface applications of N after three years of treatment. Foliar analysis showed no difference in N concentration in the leaves due to treatment. The better performance of fertigated plants was probably due to the N being readily available and effectively placed in the root zone where it could be efficiently utilized by the blueberry plant. | |
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