Pot and Ridge Production of Three Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) Cultivars under High Tunnels

Abstract

In recent years, new approaches to intensive blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) production have become necessary, in terms of protected environments and planting systems. These are designed to avoid numerous production difficulties, such as market saturation, damage from hailstorms, bird attacks, and spring frosts, and specific soil property requirements. Use of high tunnels and planting in a custom substrate (e.g., pots, along ridges) have gained interest among growers in recent years. As in our previous study, we determined the performance of three blueberry cultivars, ‘Duke’, ‘Aurora’, and ‘Brigitta’, when planted in pots and along a ridge under a high tunnel. Substrate water content was maintained at the same level for the pots and the ridge, although the substrate temperature fluctuations were greater for pots. Plant growth in pots was significantly lower for ‘Duke’ and ‘Aurora’ compared to the ridge. Additionally, for ‘Aurora’, the fruit yield was significantly lower for pots (103.4 g/plant), compared to the ridge (315.2 g/plant), although the opposite was seen for ‘Brigitta’ (122.4 vs. 93.5 g/plant, respectively). Individual sugar and organic acid contents mostly coincided with total contents, with lower total sugars for ‘Duke’ and higher total organic acids for ‘Aurora’ and ‘Brigitta’ for pots. For ‘Duke’ and ‘Brigitta’ fruit, the contents of some individual phenolics showed significant differences between treatments for phenolic acids and flavonols. These data show that growth in pots can be a useful planting method for the blueberry cultivars ‘Duke’ and ‘Brigitta’, and high yields and good fruit quality can be attained by following correct technological measures.