Blueberry Cultivar Evaluation on a High pH Site in Missouri

Abstract

'Bluecrop,' 'Bluejay,' 'Blueray,' 'Berkeley,' 'Collins,' 'Coville,' 'Earliblue,' 'Elliott,' 'Lateblue,' 'Northblue' (half-high), 'Northland,' 'Patriot,' 'Pertic Blue' and 'Spartan' highbush blueberry cultivars were evaluated in south central Missouri during the 1990-1994 seasons. The planting site was a high pH, silt loam, low organic matter soil that was amended with sulfur to lower pH. Plant spacing was 1.2 by 3.0 m on bermed, drip irrigated, shredded hardwood bark mulched rows. Soil pH increased from 5.6 to 7.0 during the trial due to alkaline irrigation water and high exchangeable calcium in the soil. Acidified irrigation water and weekly fertigation gave acceptable growth of some cultivars. 'Earliblue' (early), 'Berkeley,' 'Bluecrop' and 'Northland' (midseason), and 'Coville' and 'Lateblue' (late) were best adapted to this site and these cultural practices.