ISHS Acta Horticulturae 346: V International Symposium on Vaccinium Culture
EFFECT OF BORON ON LOWBUSH BLUEBERRY FRUIT SET AND YIELD |
| Author: | J.M. Smagula |
| Keywords: | Vaccinium angustifolium, foliar spray, Solubor |
| Abstract:
Five lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) clones with leaf tissue boron levels below 20 ppm were selected in a commercial lowbush blueberry field in Washington County, Maine. Four 2.4 M2 treatment plots established on each clone received a foliar spray of Solubor at 0, 200, 400 or 600 ppm boron in September. The terminal 3.8 cm of stem, sampled in November, had increased concentrations of boron with increasing rates of boron application. Boron sprays also increased boron leaf tissue concentrations in July of the crop year. Ten stems with four flower buds were tagged in each treatment plot to determine the effect of boron treatments on fruit set and berry size. Fruit set was the same for each bud, but the number of blossoms and fruit was greater on buds below the terminal. The average number of blossoms and fruit per bud increased with boron rate, but fruit set was not affected. Highest blueberry yield resulted from application of 400 ppm boron. | |
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