Mulch Effects on Three Highbush Blueberry Cultivars Grown in Container

Abstract

Weed problems were reported in almost all production areas, and management of competing unwanted vegetation has long been an issue for commercial growers all around the world. A field trial was set up in 2016 in Bologa, Cluj county, Romania, in order to examine the influence that different mulches have on weed control, crop growth, yield and soil properties. Weed management is critical for successful production of blueberries. The use of herbicides is becoming increasingly limited, the cost and availability of manual labor are prohibitive factors. There was little research comparing different production strategies in container grown blueberries. The main objective was finding a cost effective weed suppression method that increases yield, promotes vegetative growth and fruit quality. Organic matter (OM) was 6% higher in pine bark treatment compared with weed mat, the pH was not influenced in a significant way by any of the treatments. The number of shoots was higher in pine bark treatment, 1.67 on average, compared to weed mat treatment where the number of shoots was 1.45 this might lead to an increase of production in the following years for pine bark.