Alternate-year Pruning Recommended for Cranberry

Abstract

Table 1. Effect of pruning severity in 1990 on yield components of ‘McFarlin’ cranberry in 1991. In a study examining the short-term effects of pruning severity on cranberries, Strik and Poole (1991) reported that unpruned and lightly pruned vines had higher total plant fresh weight, more berries, higher berry yield, longer and more fruiting uprights (UF), and fewer nonfruiting uprights (UN) than moderately or heavily pruned vines. Anthocyanin content of berries, a major factor in quality, was unaffected by pruning severity the first year, but unpruned vines produced berries with less color the second year. This study examines the longer-term effect of the earlier study. The experiment was conducted on a 30year-old ‘McFarlin’ cranberry bed. Details of the experiments were as reported by Strik and Poole (1991). Pruning severity (heavy, moderate, light, or no pruning) treatments were repeated on each plot in 1989 and 1990. Plots were 1.8 × 6 m. The cranberry bed was not pruned in 1991; thus, control plots were not pruned for 3 years. In Sept. 1991, yield component data were collected. Samples from two 3-dm areas were collected and pooled from each plot. Data were extrapolated to represent an equivalent area to facilitate comparison with Strik and Poole (1991). Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with six replicates. There was no difference among treatments