The Influence of Planting Substrate on Yield of Seven Blueberry Cultivars

Abstract

To obtain good yields, the highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) needs special soil conditions with high organic matter content and optimal pH values, ranging from 4.8 up to 5.5. To create such conditions on an alluvial soil, with low humus content, poorly gleyed, an experiment was organized on the 3rd terrace of the Doamnei River, between 2005-2009 period, at the Research Institute for Fruit Growing Pitesti –Maracineni. The experiment had the following scheme: A Factor - cultivar, with seven graduations: a1- Simultan, a2-Delicia, a3-Lax, a4-Compact, a5-Augusta, a6-Azur a7-Blueray; B Factor - planting substrate, with 3 graduations: b1-5 kg peat+5kg manure; b2= 10 kg coniferous litter; b3= 5kg peat+5 kg manure+40 g sulphur powder; C Factor - experimental year, with 5 graduations (2005-2009). On average, for three planting substrates and the experimental period, Simultan cultivar, except Lax one, registered a significant increase by 14-214% in the number of flower buds per bush, and by 29-213% in number of flower clusters per bush, versus the others 5 studied cultivars. On average, for seven studied cultivars and experimental period the b1 and b3 fertilization treatments showed significant higher values on all studied fruiting indicators, versus b2 fertilization treatment. The treatment b1 registered a significant increase by 7% in number of fruits per bush and a significant decrease by 9% in average berry mass (g) versus b3 treatment. On average, for seven studied cultivars and three planting substrates the number of flower clusters per bush, the number of fruit per bush and berry yield per bush were significantly different from one year to the other over the whole experimental period.