ISHS Acta Horticulturae 513: XXV International Horticultural Congress, Part 3: Culture Techniques with Special Emphasis on Environmental Implications, Disease, Pest Control and Integrated Pest Strategies
INFLUENCE OF CULTURAL PRACTICES ON ROOT DISTRIBUTION OF ‘GULFCOAST’ BLUEBERRY |
| Author: | James M. Spiers |
| Keywords: | Southern highbush, Vaccinium |
| Abstract:
A field study was conducted to evaluate individual and collective influences of 3 soil moisture-supplementing practices (irrigation, incorporated peatmoss, and mulching) on root system development in ‘Gulfcoast’ southern highbush blueberries. Root growth was least in plants not mulched and greatest in plants receiving all three supplements. Ranking of individual treatments on root dry weight production was mulch > incorporated peatmoss = irrigation. Mulching resulted in uniform root distribution from the plant crown outward and in root growth concentrated in the upper 15 cm of soil. Other practices (peatmoss > irrigation) tended to concentrate the root system near the crown area and resulted (peatmoss = irrigation) in greater root depth. Soil moisture appeared to be the major factor influencing root distribution. | |
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