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Dr. Bernadine Strik, Professor of Horticulture & Berry Research Program Leader, NWREC Oregon State University The long-term goal of this project is to develop organic production systems that maximize plant growth, yield and fruit quality, facilitate weed, water and nutrient management and provide economic benefit to growers. This one-acre trial was in its sixth growing season in 2012. We are presently working on analyzing the data collected this year. Cumulative yield, over four fruiting seasons (2008-2011) was 18 percent higher on raised beds than on flat ground. To date, “Duke” plants fertilized with feather meal have had greater yield than those fertilized with fish emulsion, but yield of “Liberty” has not been affected by the Weed mat has been the best option for weed management, while yard debris compost plus sawdust mulch has resulted in the most weeds and the highest weed-control cost so far. Yield has been similar between weed mat and compost plus sawdust, but both of these treatments have had a greater yield than sawdust mulch in two out of the three harvest years so far. Plants mulched with weed mat have required additional irrigation to maintain the same soil water content as those mulched with sawdust or compost plus sawdust, especially when grown on raised beds. Our plans are to continue this study until the planting is mature, provided we are able to obtain sufficient research support. In addition, we’d like to expand upon our work and include an evaluation of the impact of production system on the healthful properties of blueberry fruit. These aspects were part of a grant we submitted to NIFA-OREI last winter. Our goal is to start some new projects to expand upon our knowledge of the use of weed mat and compost in blueberry production. In particular, we would like to study the potential benefits of using organic mulches under weed mat and identify the right source(s), time (fall vs. spring), and place (surface vs. incorporation) for compost application. We have also planned for a grower cooperator study to examine alternatives for managing the fertility of blueberry farms, particularly the long-term sustainability of using plant- and animal-based composts. Finally, we want to identify the threshold of blueberry plants to compost salinity and determine the long-term effects of potassium (K) supplied by compost on plant health. Funding Denied, Private Support SoughtUnfortunately, while rated as “outstanding,” our proposal wasn’t funded through NIFA-OREI. We plan to re-submit the grant this winter and are hopeful that it will be funded. In the meantime, we plan to put some of the additional studies “on hold” but will try to solicit support from the Oregon and Washington blueberry commissions to help keep this project going.
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Smooth Move Into South Korea Oregon Blueberry Promotions Busy Last Summer NWEA Seeks Pesticide Streamside Buffer Zone USDOL Actions Leave Heavy Fines, Angry Growers in Wake Organic Blueberry Production Systems Research Highlights and Future Plans Some Do's and Don'ts of Drip Irrigation |
source or rate of fertilizer applied. In both cultivars fertilization with the high rate of fish emulsion increased fruit firmness and percent soluble solids, perhaps because this treatment reduced berry weight compared to the low rate of fish emulsion or fertilization with feather meal.