Variation in Lowbush Blueberry Fruit Set and Fruit Characteristics

Abstract

Twenty stems with four fruit buds were tagged in each of ten lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) clones in a commercial field to assess fruit set and fruit size and weight characteristics. The terminal bud produced the fewest blossoms and fruit but fruit set was equal among all buds (65%–70%). Fruit at bud 4 were slightly smaller in diameter and weighed less than those produced at other buds. Clones with buds producing more blossoms per bud tended to produce more fruit per bud (pearson corr. coeff., r = 0.49), but a stronger correlation was found between fruit set and fruit number (r = 0.81).