Abstract
Peat moss is an organic substance corroded by sphagnum moss and has a pH of 3.0–4.0. Elemental sulfur is sulfated and oxidized by the action of bacteria to become sulfuric acid. These biological factors can alter the soil environment. Blueberries require soil with a pH of 4.5–5.2 and high organic matter content. In this experiment, we investigated whether different treatment rates of peat moss, elemental sulfur, and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria affect changes in soil pH, physicochemical properties, and electrical conductivity. We detected strong changes in soil pH as a reaction to the supply of peat moss, elemental sulfur, and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. The pH of the soil when peat moss and elemental sulfur each were supplied was reduced. In addition, the pH decreased faster when elemental sulfur and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria were supplied together than elemental sulfur alone, satisfying an acidic soil environment suitable for blueberry cultivation. In this experiment, it is shown that peat moss, elemental sulfur, and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria are suitable for lowering soil pH. It was demonstrated that when elemental sulfur and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria were treated together, the pH decreased faster than when treated with peat moss. It could be economically beneficial to farmers to use elemental sulfur and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, which are cheaper than peat moss, to reduce the pH of the soil.
Highlights
Blueberries are shrubs of the genus Vaccinium of the Ericaceae
The overall change in soil physical properties was influenced by peat moss
We concluded that peat moss, elemental sulfur, and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria affect the pH decrease of the soil (Figure S1)
Summary
Blueberries are shrubs of the genus Vaccinium of the Ericaceae. The three species of blueberries, which are currently grown as fruit trees, are Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium corymbosum, and Vaccinium ashei, and are widely used fruits that are edible or have medicinal uses. The United States has a leading role in cultivating wild blueberries and developing new varieties, and is the highest blueberry consumption country in the world [1]. Blueberries, despite their short history of cultivation, have excellent taste and usability, and the consumption and cultivation area of fruits has increased rapidly. The function of anthocyanin contained within the fruits has been shown to have antioxidant, antiaging, and anticancer effects, as well as activation of brain function, prevention from heart disease, strengthening of blood circulation, and reduction of diabetes [2] Their consumption is becoming popular as a healthy food, and a superfood [3,4]. Peat moss is a corroded organic material that grows in swamps at high-latitude areas and has a pH of 3.0–4.0 [9,10]
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