Volume 61 Number 4 Article 29 Pages: 188-195
Year 2007 Month 10
Title: Evergreen Production of Southern Highbush Blueberries in Hawai'i
Authors: K. Hummer, F. Zee, A. Strauss, L. Keith and W. Nishijima
Citation
Abstract:
Blueberry is not commercially grown in Hawai’i, though it represents a potential high-value niche-market
crop.
Many localities with equivalent low chilling environments, such as southern California, Mexico, Spain and
Portugal, have successfully begun growing blueberries, but little is known about the adaptability of this crop to
Hawai’i.
In mid-April 2004, blueberries were planted at the University of Hawai’i.
Mealani Agricultural Research
Station in Waimea, a mid-elevation vegetable production area on the Island of Hawai’i.
Ten plants each of six
southern highbush-blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) hybrid cultivars, ‘Biloxi’, ‘Emerald’, ‘Jewel’, ‘Misty’,
‘Sapphire’, and ‘Sharpblue’ were planted in blocks and evaluated from Oct. 2004 through Oct. 2006. The objectives
were to compare trends in the production season, potential yields, plant growth, and fruit quality of the cultivars.
First production occurred within 6 months of planting.
Each of the plants grew and produced reasonable yields of
quality berries within two years. ‘Biloxi’, ‘Emerald’, ‘Sapphire’, and ‘Sharpblue’ produced between 1.70 to 1.87
kg/plant/year during their second year after field establishment.
Peak production times, when total berry harvest
exceeded 4 kg/week for the 60 plant plot, occurred between mid-Aug. to mid-Sept., and for two weeks in mid-Feb.;
individual cultivar harvest peaks were spread throughout the year. ‘Jewel’ plants were very vigorous and had low
annual yield. ‘Emerald’ had the largest average berry size, exceeding 4 g.
Fruit from each of the cultivars of this
study had similar total soluble solids and acceptable flavor.
Bird damage was prevented by enclosing the planting
in net-covered caging.
Chinese rose beetle (Adoretus sinicus Burmeister) and thrips (Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis
Bouché) caused some foliar damage, but disease and pest problems were otherwise minimal.
Southern highbush
blueberries are amenable for culture in Hawai’i.
Full text download: APS subscribers
ISHS members & pay-per-view
Download all articles in volume 61 number 4 (for APS subscribers only) (all PDF's in .tar archive format)
(PDF 344966 bytes)
Translate:
APS membership administration
ISHS membership administration
