ISHS Acta Horticulturae 715: VIII International Symposium on Vaccinium Culture
IMPACT OF MYCORRHIZAL ASSOCIATION AND SOIL-APPLIED NITROGEN AND PHOSPHOROUS ON LOWBUSH BLUEBERRY (VACCINIUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM AIT.) |
| Authors: | D. Percival, J. Burnham |
| Keywords: | lowbush blueberry, benomyl, nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizer, yield components, harvest |
| Abstract:
Commercial wild blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) require additional fertilizer to meet their nutrient demands and have naturally formed an association with ericoid mycorrhizal to help facilitate some of the demands for nitrogen and phosphorous. A 2˛ factorial experimental design was used with the factors consisting of nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P). Fertilizer levels were 0 and 35 kg N•ha-1 in the form of ammonium sulphate, and 0 and 60 kg P2O5•ha-1 in the form of triple superphosphate. After fertilizer was applied, each plot received applications of the fungicide Benlate®SP (a.i.: benomyl). The benomyl applications reduced the overall rate of mycorrhizal infection by 50%, but this suppression did not influence the leaf tissue macronutrient levels. Stem density was not influenced by the treatments but harvestable yield increased with nitrogen and fungicide applications. The usage of the fungicide increased all reproductive yield components. Leaf retention in the vegetative year of production was prolonged with the benomyl applications and this coincided with reduced incidence and severity of leaf blight in these research plots. Subsequently, the combination of prolonged leaf retention and suppressed foliar pathogens may have improved floral quality and berry number, thus resulting in the increased harvestable yields. | |
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