Effect of In-Row Spacing and Early Cropping on Yield and Dry Weight Partitioning of Three Highbush Blueberry Cultivars the First Two Years After Planting

摘要

The effect of early cropping (no blossom removal the first two years) and in-row spacing at 0.45 m and 1.2 m (1.5 ft and 4 ft) are being studied in 'Duke', 'Bluccrop'. and 'Elliott' blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) planted in October 1999. No yield was produced on the non-cropped plants in 2000 and 2001. In the early-cropped treatments, yield at 0.45 m was about three limes that at 1.2m in all cultivars in 2000 and 200). 'Duke' and 'Elliott' produced the highest yield in 2000. In 2001, yield increased 8 to 16 fold at the 0.45 m spacing, depending on cultivar. Pruning weight per plant was affected by cultivar, in-row spacing, and early cropping. In winter 2000/01. after one year of early cropping, there was no treatment effect on the percentageof fruit buds per lateral. However, in winter 2001/02, early-cropped plants had a lower percentage of fruit buds in 'Bluecrop' and 'Duke' than plants that were not cropped early. Plants spaced at 0.45 m also had a lower percentage of fruit buds than those at 1.2 m in 'Duke' and 'Elliott'. Total plant dry weight in winter 2001/02 was affected by cultivar and early-cropping. Early cropping reduced plant size in all cullivars.