scholarly journals Effects of deicing salt on lowbush blueberry flowering and yield

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonard J. Eaton ◽  
Jeff Hoyle ◽  
Andrew King

The effects of deicing salt (NaCl) on buds, blossoms and yields of lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) were assessed over 3 yr in two commercial fields adjacent to a major Nova Scotia highway. Concentrations of road salt on exposed stems were highest next to the highway, and decreased with distance from the road. Numbers of blossoms, and subsequent fruit yields were low nearest the road, and increased with distance from the highway. Numbers of live blueberry buds and blossoms, and subsequent yields, were inversely related to concentrations of road salt on the stems. Plants under plastic shelters placed near the highway had more live buds and blossoms, as well as higher yields relative to plants exposed to deicing salt. Key words: Vaccinium, sodium chloride, salt damage, desiccation

Botany ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott N. White ◽  
Nathan S. Boyd ◽  
Rene C. Van Acker ◽  
Clarence J. Swanton

Red sorrel (Rumex acetosella L.) is a ramet-producing herbaceous creeping perennial species commonly found as a weed in commercially managed lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton) fields in Nova Scotia, Canada. Flowering and seed production occur primarily in overwintering ramets of this species, indicating a potential vernalization requirement for flowering. This study was therefore initiated to examine the role of vernalization, photoperiod, and pre-vernalization stimulus on ramet flowering. Red sorrel ramets propagated from creeping roots and seeds collected from established red sorrel populations in lowbush blueberry had an obligate requirement for vernalization to flower. Ramet populations maintained under pre- and post-vernalization photoperiods of 16 h flowered following 12 weeks of vernalization at 4 ± 0.1 °C, whereas those maintained under constant 16, 14, or 8 h photoperiods without vernalization did not flower. Vernalization for 10 weeks maximized, but did not saturate, the flowering response. Pre-vernalization photoperiod affected flowering response, with increased flowering frequency observed in ramet populations exposed to decreasing, rather than constant, photoperiod prior to vernalization. This study represents the first attempt to determine the combined effects of vernalization and photoperiod on red sorrel flowering, and the results provide a benchmark for the future study of flowering and sexual reproduction in this economically important perennial weed species.


2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 781-783 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. I. N. Jensen ◽  
E. G. Specht

Spring application of 1.0 kg ha-1 hexazinone to fruiting-year lowbush blueberry no later than the F3 floral stage, when floral buds separate, but before the corolla tube shows white, controlled some common herbaceous perennial weeds without injury to the crop. Key words: Herbicide injury, growth stages, weed control, hexazinone, Vaccinium angustifolium


2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 779-781 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Randall ◽  
Olson and Leonard J. Eaton

Closed flower buds and flowers at full bloom of Vaccinium angustifolium Ait. were collected from the field and histologically examined after severe spring frosts. Prior to anthesis, blackened ovarian placentae in closed buds were the only damaged tissues evident; placental damage may interfere with both seed and fruit set. Undetected frost damaged placentae may contribute to losses in commercial yield. Key words: Vaccinium, frost damage, placenta


2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 401-408
Author(s):  
D. I. Hayman ◽  
K. E. MacKenzie ◽  
E. G. Reekie

The effect of galls induced by Hemadas nubilipennis Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) on the morphology and reproduction of lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton) was studied over two seasons in three Nova Scotia blueberry fields. Comparisons of galled and non-galled shoot characteristics, and position on shoots of galls formed in the years of vegetative and reproductive growth were made. In June 1999, 30 newly galled vegetative shoots were arbitrarily selected, tagged and measured along with similar sized non-galled shoots on the galled clone and a neighbouring non-galled clone. Shoot characteristics were measured in the reproductive season during bloom and after harvest. At two sites, the dry weights of leaves and stems on galled shoots measured in the reproductive season were significantly less than non-galled shoots, but at a third site there was no difference in stem allocation. Galls reduced berry production on shoots at two sites. Proportions of terminally positioned galls differed significantly among study sites in the reproductive season. Shoots with terminal galls were significantly shorter, lighter and allocated less weight to leaves and stems than shoots with basally positioned galls. If the reports of increasing gall populations in Nova Scotia during the 1990s are correct, there may be good reason to believe that there will be significant economic loss of blueberries in the future. Key words: Gall, blueberry (lowbush), Hemadas nubilipennis, Vaccinium angustifolium


1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 493-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. C. Shinners ◽  
A. R. Olson

Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi (Reade) Honey is an economically important pathogen of lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton) which causes blighting of leaves and flowers and mummification of fruits. This study was conducted to determine if infection of lowbush blueberry gynoecia occurs through colonization of the stigma. Sections of gynoecia inoculated with conidia were examined by brightfield microscopy. Conidia germinated on the stigmatic surface 1–3 d following inoculation to form hyphae winch invaded the stylar canal and other tissue down to the ovules. The infection pathway observed was identical to that of pollen tubes following pollination. After invasion of the ovary fungal colonization continued until the entire fruit wall was colonized with mycelium. Key words: Mummy berry, stigma colonization, pseudosclerotium


1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (7) ◽  
pp. 1483-1490 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Bagatto ◽  
J. D. Shorthouse

The accumulation of copper and nickel in plant tissues and galls of Hemadas nubilipennis on lowbush blueberry near an ore smelter at Sudbury, Ontario, was investigated. Concentrations of these metals in the root, stem, and leaf tissue decline logarithmically with increasing distance from the Sudbury smelter. The pattern of accumulation for copper and nickel in the various tissues was root > stem > leaf > berry; however, metal differences in these tissues were not as great in plants farther from the smelter. The root tissue is the primary site of accumulation of these metals when environmental levels of copper and nickel are high. The highest concentrations of copper and nickel were found in the galls, indicating that gall tissues act as a strong physiological sink for micronutrients and redirect nutrients from the host plant. Key words: Vaccinium angustifolium, copper, nickel, gall, Sudbury.


1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 889-891 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Hokanson ◽  
J. Hancock

Data collected by Hall and Aadlers (1963) on the white-fruited trait were used to determine whether Vaccinium angustifolium is an allopolyploid displaying disomic inheritance or an autopolyploid with tetrasomic inheritance. Chi square tests for goodness-of-fit were non-significant for both models in all crosses, but the probabilities were higher in two of them for tetrasomic inheritance. Key words: Tetrasomic inheritance, disomic inheritance, allopolyploidy


1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (9) ◽  
pp. 1387-1390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Bagatto ◽  
Joseph D. Shorthouse

Cryoanalytical scanning electron microscopy was used to examine cellular concentrations of K, P, S, Mg, Ca, Fe, Cu, Ni, and Au in a planed section of an insect gall induced by Hemadas nubilipennis on shoots of lowbush blueberry. Levels of K varied throughout tissues of the gall, with the highest levels within the cytoplasmically dense nutritive cells lining the larval chambers, storage nutritive cells, and peridermal cells. It is postulated that K increases the osmotic potential and size of nutritive cells, thereby facilitating larval feeding. Nutritive cells also contained elevated levels of P and S. Levels of Cu, Ni, Fe, and Au were elevated in epidermal tissues, especially near the stomata. Key words: gall, blueberry, minerals, cryoanalytical SEM, Hemadas nubilipennis, Vaccinium angustifolium.


1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 1263-1266 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. R. Sanderson ◽  
J. A. Cutcliffe

The effect of sawdust mulch applied at 0-, 5- and 10-cm depths on yield of select clones of lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) was studied in Prince Edward Island for three consecutive cropping cycles from 1985 to 1989. Sawdust applied post-plant, as a mulch, at a depth of 5 cm increased the total yield of the first three harvests by approximately 30% compared to the 0-cm mulch. Mean berry weight was also increased where sawdust was applied. There was not significant difference in yield between the 0- and 10-cm sawdust application treatments. The 10-cm sawdust mulch reduced plant survival by 23% compared with the check. Key words: Lowbush blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium Ait., select clone, sawdust mulch, yield


1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 809-812 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. V. HALL ◽  
L. E. AALDERS ◽  
K. B. McRAE

Production of lowbush blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait. and V. myrtilloides Michx.) was found to be significantly correlated with June rain in Newfoundland and with June sunshine and temperature in Nova Scotia. When the data were combined for five provinces over 27 yr, no variables were of consistent value in predicting lowbush blueberry production.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document