ISHS Acta Horticulturae 574: VII International Symposium on Vaccinium Culture
THE EFFECT OF USING DIFFERENT MULCHES AND GROWTH SUBSTRATES ON HALF-HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY (VACCINIUM CORYMBOSUM x V. ANGUSTIFOLIUM) CULTIVARS 'NORTHBLUE' AND 'NORTHCOUNTRY' |
| Authors: | M. Starast, K. Karp, T. Paal |
| Keywords: | blueberry, Vaccinium corumbosum x Vaccinium angustifolium, winter hardiness, peat, mulch |
| Abstract:
Much attention has been paid to the cultivation of half-highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum x Vaccinium angustifolium). At the Department of Horticulture, Estonian Agricultural University, a blueberry-growing project started in 1997. Two half-highbush blueberry cultivars ‘Northblue’ and ‘Northcountry’ were used, and different cultivation methods were employed. The experiment was carried out in Tartu County (South Estonia). Our results showed that the half-highbush blueberry grew best when peat was used (ground mixtures and peat mulch). Plastic mulch tended to increase plant growth but sawdust mulch did not favour growth. Winter hardiness of half-highbush blueberry is problematic in the Estonian climate. In the experiment, an average winter hardiness of ‘Northblue’ was 5.5…6.0 points. Winter hardness of ‘Northcountry’ was 5.4…6.7 points and the blueberry plants had more damage when plastic mulch was used. The plants did not stop growing in autumn and the herbaceous shoots were damaged when the first frosts started. ‘Northcountry’ hibernated better than ‘Northblue’. | |
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