Kevin Sanderson

Gypsum—An Alternative to Chemical Fertilizers in Lowbush Blueberry Production

SUMMARY Five experimental trials were established in commercial lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) fields in eastern Canada and monitored over two cropping cycles to determine the value of gypsum as a soil amendment. Lowbush blueberry plants were treated each cropping cycle with either: (1) no application (control), (2) 10-10-10 fertilizer applied at 300 kg/ha (268 lb/acre), (3) gypsum applied at 4 t/ha (3572 lb/acre), or (4) the combination of (2) and (3). In the first cropping cycle, the application of gypsum and gypsum with fertilizer significantly increased tissue concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mn, and S in comparison to the control and fertilizer only treatments. Tissue K, Ca, Mn, and S were significantly increased in the second cropping cycle with gypsum application. Soil pH was reduced in the second cropping cycle with gypsum application. Gypsum with fertilizer increased stem length, live buds, total buds, and total blossoms in the first cropping cycle in comparison to the control. The treatments had no significant effect on marketable yield.

Main and Interactive Effects of Vegetative-Year Applications of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium Fertilizers on the Wild Blueberry

SUMMARY An experiment examining the main and interactive effects of vegetative (i.e., sprout) year applications of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers was conducted at two commercial wild blueberry fields near Kemptown, Nova Scotia and Mount Vernon, Prince Edward Island during 2000 and 2001. The nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) sources consisted of urea (N at 0 to 60 kg-ha−1), triple superphosphate (P2O5 at 0 to 150 kg-ha−1), and potash (K2O at 0 to 60 kg-ha−1). A completely randomized rotatable composite design was used with 16 treatments, 4 replications, a plot size of 6 m × 8 m, and 2 m buffers between plots. Overall, leaf tissue N, P, and K levels were increased at both sites with fertilizer applications. Main and interactive effects of the soil applied N, P, and K on stem length, individual stem dry weight, and stem density were also present at both sites. Significant effects of soil-applied N and K, and soil applied K on fruit set were present at the Kemptown and Mount Vernon sites with fruit set increasing up to 20% and 51%, respectively. Harvestable yield varied in response to the N-P-K treatments with no treatment having a significantly higher yield than the non-fertilized treatment at the Kemptown site, and the harvestable yield of the unfertilized treatment being as much as 36% lower than other soil-applied N-P-K treatments at the Mount Vernon site. Therefore, results from this study illustrate the importance of monitoring leaf tissue N, P, and K levels, the ability to alter leaf tissue N, P, and K levels and correct leaf tissue deficiencies, and the beneficial yield component effects of soil-applied N, P, and K when applied to the wild blueberry under nutrient deficient conditions.

Nova Scotia Wild Blueberry Soil and Leaf Nutrient Ranges

Soil and leaf samples were collected from 44 wild blueberry fields throughout Nova Scotia in 1989–90 and in 1997–98, and analyzed for macro- and micronutrient content. Samples were obtained from sprout fields, in late July and early August, after terminal dieback of terminal leaf buds. Soil and tissue concentrations of P and K were increased by repeated fertilizer applications between the two sample periods, whereas soil pH was decreased. Leaf tissue concentrations of P, Cu, B, Zn and Fe were consistently lower than indicated by the Trevett standards, suggesting that a separate set of nutrient ranges should be adopted for Nova Scotia wild blueberry fields.

Comparison of consecutive and alternate fertilizer applications in wild blueberry production

Research has shown that improved nutrient uptake and yield of wild blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait) are very sporadic when fertilizers are applied. Growers are concerned with environment impacts and keeping fertilizer costs to a minimum. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the response of wild blueberries to soil-applied fertilization over four cropping cycles in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia from 1997 to 2004. Commercial fertilizers (17-17-17, 1-46-0 and 13-26-5) were soil-applied in the sprout year either as a consecutive fertilizer application (every cropping cycle) or an alternate fertilizer application (every second cropping cycle). All fertilizers were applied at a rate of 200 kg ha-1. Fertilizer applications increased soil levels of P and K, leaf tissue concentrations of N and P and stem lengths of plants. Higher levels of soil P and leaf tissue concentrations of N, P and K were observed with consecutive than with alternate fertilizer applications. Average stem lengths, buds ...

Establishment of Wild Roses for Commercial Rose Hip Production in Atlantic Canada

ABSTRACT Rose species of the genus Rosa are found growing wild throughout the Atlantic Provinces of Canada in a multitude of different habitats. Rose hips, the marketable product from these rose species, are a rich natural source of bioactive compounds useful in the pharmaceutical industry. In 2004, a wild rose field experiment was established using planting stock propagated from numerous wild rose (Rosa virginiana ×carolina) isolate accessions collected from populations throughout Prince Edward Island. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of several field management practices on the establishment of a commercial rose hip plantation in Atlantic Canada. Treatments were applied at planting and included three in-row mulch (none, bark, and straw) treatments, three in-row fertility (none, compost, and fertilizer) treatments, and two interrow management (tilled and sod) treatments. Mulching increased nutrient uptake of N and P and increased plant growth. Fertilizer increased plant growth and yield of rose hips compared to no fertilizer or compost treatments. Tilled interrow treatment increased in shoot lengths, diameters, and plant spreads compared to interrow sod. This study indicates that during the early establishment years of a rose hip plantation, wild roses grow best with the use of mulch, fertilizer, and tillage between the rows.

Maritime Provinces Wild Blueberry Fertilizer Study

ABSTRACT Field experiments were carried out over a 4-year period (2001–2004) at one commercial site in each of the Maritime Provinces, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. The study was designed to determine the effects of applied fertilizer in sprout year only and in both sprout and crop year on leaf and soil concentration, plant development, and yield. Individually, sprout-year applications of fertilizers ammonium sulfate, di-ammonium sulfate, and 17-17-17 and crop-year application of ammonium sulfate did not affect soil and leaf concentrations, plant growth, or yield. When comparing the mean of fertilizer applications to unfertilized plots, levels of soil, P, K, and S were increased and soil pH decreased and leaf tissue concentrations of N, P, K, and S were increased. Stem length, number of live buds, and number of blossoms were increased; however, yield was not affected in the first cropping cycle and was lowered in the second cropping cycle by applications of fertilizers. Crop-year applications of ammonium sulfate provided no benefit to wild blueberry production.

Effect of nitrogen fertilizers on ammonia volatilization in wild blueberry production

Environmental losses of soil-applied N-fertilizers through ammonia volatilization were examined. Volatilization trials were established in the vegetative phase of wild blueberry production in Nova Scotia (NS) and Prince Edward Island (PE) in 2004 and 2005. Treatments consisted of no fertilizer (control) and N applications (35 kg N ha-1) of ammonium sulphate (AS), diammonium phosphate (DAP), urea (U) and sulphur coated urea (SCU). When compared with the control, results indicated significantly elevated volatilization rates for U (303% NS in 2004, 274% PE in 2005), SCU (273% NS in 2004, 205% PE in 2005) and DAP (178% PE in 2005). Results indicate that volatilization losses are significant, site specific and may contribute to reductions in nutrient availability. Key words: Nitrogen, wild blueberry, environmental losses, ammonia, volatilization

Effects of Salt Deposition from Salt Water Spray on Lowbush Blueberry Shoots

SUMMARY Many commercial lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) fields border the Bay of Fundy and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Qualitative producer observations in these areas indicate that salt spray from the marine environment during winter months reduces yield of the lowbush blueberry. To quantitatively examine the effects of ocean spray on the lowbush blueberry, the amount of salt deposited on stems of this species was assessed at several commercial sites in the Canadian provinces of Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia between 1998 and 2000. Randomly selected areas of commercial fields were protected with 1.8 m × 0.45 m (5.9 ft × 1.48 ft) shelters covered with 4 mil plastic film. Data on growth, yield, and salt deposition on shoots were recorded from both protected and exposed plants. Results varied according to location, weather conditions, and snow cover. Tree line wind protection and snow cover appeared to reduce the severity of salt spray-induced damage to the lowbush blueberry. In general, the exposed plants exhibited more salt deposition (mg g−1 dry weight of stems), more dead buds, fewer blossoms and lower yields in comparison to covered specimens.

Evaluation of Mulch Types on Growth and Development of Native Wild Roses (Rosa spp.) for Rose Hip Production in Prince Edward Island, Canada

This study was carried out to assess the impact of five different mulch types (straw, bark, woodchips, sawdust, and black plastic) on growth and yield of domestically cultivated native wild roses (Rosa spp.) in Prince Edward Island, Canada. The experiment was carried out at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Crops and Livestock Research Centre, Harrington Research Farm in Harrington, Prince Edward Island from 2005–2009. A replicated trial was set up with each plot divided equally into hand-weeded and non-weeded treatments. Straw mulch proved to be a practical choice for commercial producers as it was conducive to plant growth—with greater height, spread, and rose hip yield—as well as being inexpensive and easily obtainable. Black plastic mulch also supported good plant growth and production as well as being easy to maintain. Generally, hand-weeding in combination with mulching was most effective in establishing healthy, productive wild rose plantations.

Evaluation of Native Rose Selections for Rose Hip Production in Prince Edward Island

This study was carried out to determine the potential for the commercial production of rose hips in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Native rose (Rosa spp.) ecotypes were propagated by cuttings taken from wild populations. The experiment was conducted at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Crops and Livestock Research Centre, Harrington Research Farm in Harrington, PEI in 2005. A replicated trial consisting of 30 wild rose selections was first harvested in 2006. Data from the top 14 ecotypes are reported on based on yield potential. Mean fruit weight ranged from 1.01 g to 1.62 g per fruit; seeds per fruit ranged from 33.5 to 66.3; flesh to seed ratio ranged from 1.34 to 2.57 g/g. Generally, first flowering was observed at 190 Julian day number (JDN) followed by full flowering at 199 JDN. Mean rose hip yield averaged over the first four harvest years ranged from 411 to 2,000 kg ha−1. In 2009, selection s26 and s30 produced 3,634 and 2,676 kg ha−1, respectively. Selection s26 had the largest canopy and best survival rating.