THE PERFORMANCE OF SOME NORTHERN HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) VARIETIES IN NORTH EASTERN PART OF ANATOLIA

Abstract

This study was conducted to find out performance of some northern highbush blueberries in northeastern part of Turkey. Two years old plants of Berkeley, Ivanhoe, Jersey, Northland and Rekord blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) varieties planted in Ikizdere, Rize. Their phonological, morphological and yield properties were determined. Among cultivars ‘Ivanhoe’ had the highest (146.44 cm) and most extremely vigor bushes. ‘Berkeley’ gave shorter plants with short bushes (82.72 cm) but had bigger (40.76 cm2) leaves. ‘Ivanhoe’ was the most productive (2567.80 g/plant) whereas ‘Berkeley’ had the lowest yield (455.21 g/plant). ‘Ivanhoe’ also had the largest berry (2.41g) while ‘Northland’ had the smallest (0.94g) ones. Cultivars begin to ripe in between 10 July (‘Ivanhoe’) and 25 July (‘Jersey’ and ‘Northland’). Berries per cluster were the highest (54.74) for Jersey. Stem scar diameter was the biggest (2.19 mm) on ‘Berkeley’ berry while ‘Northland’ had smallest stem scar (1.46 mm) with small berries. Total soluble solids and titratable acid content were between 10.04% (‘Northland’)-11.00% (‘Ivanhoe’ and ‘Jersey’) and 0.96% (‘Rekord’)–1.59% (‘Ivanhoe’), respectively. ‘Ivanhoe’, ‘Berkeley’ and ‘Rekord’ varieties with large or very large fruits should be consuming as fresh berry. ‘Northland’ had small fruits is well for industry while Jersey can be use both fresh and processing.