Productivity Comparison of Fourteen Highbush Blueberry Cultivars in Missouri, 2000-2008

Abstract

Eleven northern and three southern highbush blueberry ( Vaccinium corymbosum L.) cultivars were evaluated for productivity at Mountain Grove in south-central Missouri. The planting was established in 1998 on a Viraton silt loam soil amended with organic matter and sulfur, the latter to lower soil pH. Plant spacing was 1.2 m in row and 3 m between rows. Drip irrigation was installed and rows were mulched with wood chips and shredded bark. The highest yielding cultivars were ‘Brigitta Blue’, ‘Darrow’, ‘Legacy’, ‘Nelson’ and ‘Reka’, all above 4.0 kg per plant (2000-2008 mean). ‘Bluecrop’, a standard cultivar in Missouri, yielded 3.3 kg per plant. Marketable yield for all cultivars was 98% (2000-2003 mean). Berry weight for all cultivars was 1.9 g per berry (2000-2006 mean). The cultivar ‘Chandler’ had the highest berry weight at 3.0 g. Others cultivars ‘Brigittia Blue’, ‘Legacy’, ‘Nelson’ and ‘Nui’ had berry weights just above 2.0 g. The cultivar ‘Reka’ was lowest in berry weight at 1.3 g. Basal cane number per plant for all cultivars was 6.4 with a range among cultivars between 1.3 and 22.3 per plant (2003-2006 mean). Plant height and canopy spread for all cultivars were 1.4 and 1.3 m (2000-2006 mean), respectively.