Post-Harvest Hedging and Pruning of Three Year Pruning Trial on 'Climax' and Tifblue' Rabbiteye Blueberry

摘要

Control of bush height is a major problem in rabbitcye blueberries. Eight-year-old, moderately vigorous Vaccinium ashei cv. Climax, were roof-top hedged in early August to a height of about 2.2 m (7 ft). Fourteen-year-old, low vigor Tifblue' were roof-top hedged to a height of about 2.8 m (9 ft) 0, 2, 4, and 6 weeks after harvest. Average bush yield on 'Climax' was 5.3 kg (11.6 lbs) for the unpruncd control, 4.6 kg (10.1 lbs) for the moderate roof-top hedged, and 4.8 kg (10.5 lbs) for the winter canerenewal pruning treatment. There were no significant differences among yields but there was a trend toward lower yields on the first harvest of 'Climax' with roof-top hedging compared to unpruned or cane renewal pruned. Average bush yield on 'Tifbluc' was 2.9 kg (6.4 lbs) for the unpruned control, 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) for pruning 0 weeks after harvest, 3.3 kg (7.3 lbs) for pruning two weeks after harvest, 2.8 kg (6.1 lbs) for pruning four weeks after harvest, and 2.8 kg (6.3 lbs) for pruning six weeks after harvest. 'Tifblue' that were roof-top hedged two weeks after harvest tended to produce the highest yields. Bushes that were roof-top hedged were much easier to hand harvest.