Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Growers and marketers through meetings and direct contact. Changes/Problems: 1. Growers used the information to decide on desirable cultivars to plant. Marketers used the results to encourage growers to plant cultivars that have good quality and ship well. 2. Air-dried and ground blueberries have not been commercially produced and used commercially. 3. Three growers regularly use Dormex to improve leafing and yield. 4. This iformation on predicting ripening has been used annually and increased grower returns by at least $0.50/ flat This is at least one million dollars each of the past five years. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? 1. Invitation to present the findings three of the 5 years at the North Carolina Blueberry Council annual education meeting each January and publication in the proceedings. Invitation to show the bushes and discussing results at three summer field days. Direct discussions with growers and marketers throughout the years. 2. Invitation to present the results and include them in the published proceedings of the North Carolina Blueberry Council of 2009. 3. Invitation to present the results and include them in the published proceedings of the North Carolina Blueberry Council of 2010. 4. Invitations to present the results of measuring heat units and predicting ripening have been extended each year. In May of 2013 an invitation was extended to present the results at the North Carolina Blueberry Field Day in May. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? 1. See opportunities above. The information was actually disseminated at each of the opportunities mentioned. 2. Presented the helth information and included the results in the 2012 annual meeting proceedings. 3. Presented the growth-regulator chemical information and included the results in the 2013 annual meeting proceedings. 4. The riprediction model for 'Rebel', 'Star' and 'O'Neal' was presented at the North Carolina Blueberry Day in May 2013. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1. Improve production, quality and mechanical harvestability: At least 20 cultivars or selections were evaluated each ofthe five years for production, fruit quality and mechanical harvestiability. Production was measured by harvesting weekly and weighing. Quality was measured by L color, g/mm firmness, counting splits, tears, stems, weight/berry and storing for 8 and 15 days at 70 and 40 F respectively. Mechanical harvestability was measured by a shake test of fruiting shoots. Cultivats found to have adequate production and fruit quality for commercial recommentation were 'Star', 'O'Neal', 'New Hanover', 'Duke' and 'Legacy'. Potential new cultivars were 'Abundance', 'San Joaquin', Camellia' and 'Suzieblue'. 'Reveille' had the best mechanicability but not enough production. 'Legacy' and 'O'Neal' harvested well enough to allow mechanical harvesting for fresh sales. 2.Health-related constituents: Air-drying of blueberries is an inexpensive means of providing a shelf-stable product without adding sugar or the expense of freeze drying. The problem is that air-dryed blueberries become hard and difficult to re-hydrate. Fruit was air-dried and ground to make a blueberry additive that is easier to re-hydrate and use in baking or health products. The health constituents anthocyanins, ORAC (oxygen radicle absorbance capacity) and total phenolics were measured in the air-dried berries and compared with freeze-dried berries. Air-dried blueberries had 20, 90 and 90 percent respectively of the anthocyanins, ORAC and total phenolics of freeze-dried berries. 3. Growth regulating chemicals: Dormex causes increased leaf-bud development with or without adequate chilling. Flower buds open with less chilling than normally required and the development is more uniform. Application to 'Reveille', a low producing cultivar, caused more shoots to develop and more flower buds resulted in higher yields the following year. On 'O'Neal' the leafing was improved and that caused more larger berries and more uniform ripening. 'Duke' has a high chilling requirement and the Dormex caused earlier and more uniform leafing, blossoming and ripening. 4. Predicting ripening time is very imoortant for orderly marketing. A model was developed in the early 1990s using 'Croatan', the most important and earliest cultivar at that time. Since than 'Croatan' has decreased from at least 60 percent of North Carolina production to less than 20 percent in 2012. In 2013 the model was expanded to include 'Rebel', 'Star' and 'O'Neal' all earlier and more important cultivars.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Mainland,C. M., 2013, Staying ahead of the blue wave. Proc. 47th Ann. Open House, NC Blueberry Council. 47:47-55.
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Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: CULTIVAR AND SWD OBSERVATIONS. In 2012, 14 southern highbush cultivars were harvested. Two of the newer cultivars, Abundance and San Joaquin showed excellent plant vigor and good fruit quality and for the fruit that remained. Both of these cultivars ripen between `Duke' and `Legacy'. SWD infection was evaluated on May 31 based on berry deterioration. Berries were harvested on May 29 from bushes previously carefully harvested on May 22. Sound berries harvested May 29 were held two days at 70 F. Severe breakdown occurred in infected berries and determining infection was not difficult. Following was the percentage of infected berries: `O'Neal' 40%, `Camella' 40, `New Hanover' 6%, San Joaquin' 2%, `Croatan' 41%, `Reveille' 41%, `Duke' 18%, `Roberson' 25% and `Legacy' 3%. Not enough fruit remained for evaluation from the early ripening cultivars `Rebel', `Emerald' and `Star' or `Jewel', `Santa Fe' and `Abundance'. ROCK PHOSPHATE Rock phosphate has not been recommended as a phosphate source because of insolubility. It is generally considered not soluble enough on crop soils that are limed to a pH of 6.0 or above. However, blueberry soils in southeastern North Carolina usually have a pH of less than pH 4.0. An experiment was begun on 06/06/2011 on an organic farm near Kelley, NC. Four rates of rock phosphate, 0, 250, 500 and 1000 lbs./acre were applied to three-year-old 'Duke' plants. Four-bush plots were replicated four times. Tissue samples were taken in June 2012 to see if the rock phosphate is breaking down enough to increase foliar phosphate. Results of the tissue analysis have not been completed. E. COLI SURVIVAL. E. coli from pond water is a possible source of blueberry fruit contamination. Survival of E. coli was measured on inoculated fruit. The source of the inoculum was from a hog lagoon. This liquid was filtered and then diluted to a level of 200 to 500 cfu/100 ml (colony forming units/100 ml). This is in the range where water would be considered too high for a bathing beach. The acceptable level considered safe for irrigation water is around 200 cfu/100 ml. Berries were immersed and shaken in this inoculum for one minute. Berries were then allowed to drain. Following draining the berries were: 1) rinsed for analysis, 2) held until dry and then rinsed for analysis, and 3) held for 24 hours dry before rinsing for analysis. Analysis was done by the Marine Science program of UNCW that monitors water quality in southern North Carolina. No E. coli colonies were detected in rinse water from berries that had dried. Bacteriologists predicted that little or no bacteria would survive the drying. However, split or damaged berries could provide enough moisture for the bacteria to survive. The practical recommendation is to allow berries to completely dry after irrigation before harvest. The best procedure is to irrigate soon after a harvest. That allows a maximum time for UV light destroy bacteria before the next harvest. This schedule also will have the least detrimental affect on storage life. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Rock phosphate could reduce the cost of phosphate by more than 50% on blueberries and also reduce possible pollution of ground water. Blueberry soils in southeastern North Carolina do not have an anion exchange capacity to hold soluble phosphorus. Rock phosphate would act as slow release phosphorus. Knowing that E. coli activity decreases to almost zero on berries after they dry is important to managing irrigation water water from ponds. Bushes must be allowed to dry completely following irrigation before harvest. The most noteworthy finding from the 2012 cultivar study was the outstanding production and fruit quality of the highbush cultivars Abundance and San Juquin. The differences in cultilvar infection with SWD may represent genetic resistance that could be used in breeding for resistance.
Publications
- Mainland, C.M., 2012. Berry evaluations in 2011- What was new or interesting. Proc.46th Ann. Open House NC Blueberry Council. 46:26-37.
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Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: 1)Four rates of ground rock phosphate, 0, 250, 500 and 1000 lb/A replicated four times were applied to three-year-old 'Duke' plants in a certified organic planting near Kelly, North Carolina on June 21, 2011. The soil had a pH of below 4.0 and organic content above 20 per cent. Soil and tissue samples were taken before the rock phosphate was applied. Rock phosphate is not considered soluble enough on crop soils with normal pH values above 6.0. This test will determine if enough dissolves and is absorbed by the bushes to be effective. Effectiveness will be determined by the amount of phosphorus in tissue from tissue analysis in 2012. 2) Samples of fresh 'Tifblue' rabbiteye blueberry fruit were air dried at 140 degrees F. for possible use as a supplement to human or animal foods. Dried samples were ground to overcome the slow rehydrating problem of air-dried whole blueberries. Air-dried ground fruit contained 90%, 90% and 20% respectively of the total phenolics, ORAC and total anthocyanins of freeze-dried ground blueberries. The advantage of air drying is a shelf-stable p roductcompared with freezing and less expensive than freeze drying. 3) E. coli survival on blueberry fruit was measured after inoculation with a standardized solution. Once the fruit had dried completely after inoculation, the E. coli level dropped to nearly zero. 4) Planting of new cultivars and promising selections from North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and northern states that may have potential in North Carolina was continued in 2011. The replicated planting at the Ideal Tract, Castle Hayne, NC was begun in 2007 and now includes 36 highbush cultivars: Abundance, Bladen, Bluecrisp, Blue Ridge, Camellia, Cartaret, Croatan, Draper, Duke, Emerald, Farthing, Jewell, Legacy, Millenia, Misty, MS 812, NC 3104, New Hanover, O'Neal, Ozark, Palmetto, Pender, Primadonna, Rebel, Reveille, Roberson, Sampson, San Joaquin, Santa Fe, Snowchaser, Southmoon, Springhigh, Star, Summitt, US 508, and Winsor. Also included are 13 rabbiteye cultivars: Alapaha, Austin, Brightwell, Columbus, Ira, Montgomery, Ochlockonee, Onslow, Powderblue, Premier, Prince, Rahi and Vernon. Yield, ripening date, fruit size, fruit color, firmness, storage quality at 40 degrees F, storage quality at 70 degrees F, refractometer readings (fruit sugars)and titratable acidity (acids) were the measurements for the cultivars. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Blueberry growers and marketers. Information developed should aid them in improving fruit quality and production. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Rock phosphate could reduce the cost of phosphate by more than 50% on blueberries and also reduce possible pollution of ground water. Blueberry soils in southeastern North Carolina do not have an anion exchange capacity to hold soluble phosphorus. Rock phosphate would act as slow release phosphorus. Air-dried blueberries that a source that is less expensive to produce than freeze drying and less expensive to store than frozen. Knowing that E. coli activity decreases to almost zero on berries after they dry is important to managing irrigation water water from ponds. Bushes must be allowed to dry completely following irrigation before harvest. The most noteworthy finding from the 2011 cultivar study was the outstanding production and fruit quality of the highbush cultivar Abundance. Another new cultivar, Farthing cracked following rain and did not store well.
Publications
- Mainland, C.M. 2011. Centennial of Coville's Landmark Blueberry Culture Studies. Pro. 46th Ann. Open House NC Blueberry Council. 46:18-24.
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: 1)Two rates of gibberellic acid sprays, 64 and 128 ounces/acre of ProGib, were applied to 'Reveille' flowers at two grower locations in the Black River area of Bladen County, NC. Flowers were counted on shoots with 25 to 50 flowers before spraying and fruit was counted after set had occurred. Sprays were applied when 15 to 30% of the flowers were open and again 7 days later when 70 to 90% of the blossoms were open. 2) Dormex, 50% hydrogen cyanamide, at the rates of 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0%, was applied to drip on individual shoots of the cvs. Reveille, O'Neal, Duke, Croatan, New Hanover and Premier on Feb. 19th. Only 20% of the full rate was applied in the morning, 9:00 to 10:00am, due to a mistake in calculations. The remaining 80% was applied in the afternoon, 2:30 to 3:30pm. 3) Planting of new cultivars and promising selections from North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and northern states that may have potential in North Carolina was continued in 2010.The replicated planting at the Ideal Tract, Castle Hayne, NC was begun in 2007 and now includes 35 highbush cultivars: Abundance, Bladen, Bluecrisp, Blue Ridge, Camellia, Cartaret, Croatan, Draper, Duke, Emerald, Jewell, Legacy, Millenia, Misty, MS 812, NC 3104, New Hanover, O'Neal, Ozark, Palmetto, Pender, Primadonna, Rebel, Reveille, Roberson, Sampson, San Joaquin, Santa Fe, Snowchaser, Southmoon, Springhigh, Star, Summitt, US 508, and Winsor. Also included are 13 rabbiteye cultivars: Alapaha, Austin, Brightwell, Columbus, Ira, Montgomery, Ochlockonee, Onslow, Powderblue, Premier, Prince, Rahi and Vernon. Yield, ripening date, fruit size, fruit color, firmness, storage quality at 40 degrees F, storage quality at 40 degrees F, refractometer readings (fruit sugars)and titratable acidity (acids) were the measurements for the cultivars. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Blueberry growers and marketers. Information developed should aid them in improving fruit quality and production. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
'Reveille' fruit set was increased in response to gibberellic acid (GA) in one of two farms in Bladen County. Set went from 51% without GA to 82% at the 64 ounce rate and 84% at the 128 ounce rate at one farm. 'Reveille' set was 90% without GA at the second farm and was not increased by the GA applications. Dormex caused damage to both flower and leaf buds on all cultivars in 2010. Although the Dormex treatments were 9 days later than in 2009, there was very little bud swell at treatment. The two applications of 20% and 80% of full rate on the same day was probably the cause and should be avoided. Results from GA use, Dormex use and the cultivar evaluations will have a beneficial impact on blueberry growers and shippers.
Publications
- Hardy, D., J. Meyers, R. Morris, B. Cleveland, B. Cline, M. Mainland and J. Havlin. 2010. A new look at blueberry fertility and fertilizer formulations. Pro. 45th Ann. Open House NC Blueberry Council. 45:16-27.
- Mainland, M. 2010. Plant growth regulators on blueberry, 2009. Pro. 45th Ann. Open House NC Blueberry Council. 45:40-46.
- Mainland, M. 2010. Observations on blueberry cultivars. Pro. 45th Ann. Open House NC Blueberry Council. 45:47-54.
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: 1) Gibberellic acid and boron sprays were applied to 'Reveille' flowers at the Ideal Tract, Horticultural Crops Research Station, Castle Hayne, NC and at two grower sites in Bladen County. Flowers were counted followed by berry counts after set occurred. Berry size (grams) at ripening and ripening date were also measured at he Ideal tract,. 2) Dormex was applied to individual shoots of 'Reveille', 'O'Neal', 'Duke' and 'Croatan' at the Ideal Tract. Rates were 1.5.2.0, 2.5 and 3.0% applied Feb.11. Leaf bud development was measured and also fruit set, time of ripening and berry size. 3) A controlled-release nitrogen source was applied for the third year at two locations in Bladen County. Application was to 'O'Neal' highbush at one farm and to 'Premier' rabbiteye at the other. One set of soil and tissue samples were collected at each location. 4) Planting of new cultivars from Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and northern states that may have potential in North Carolina was continued in 2009. This replicated planting at the Ideal Tract was begun in 2007 and now includes 33 highbush and 10 rabbiteye cultivars. Fruit was harvested from 26 highbush and 7 rabbiteye cultivars in 2009. Yield, ripening date, size, and color were measured at harvest. Samples were stored at 70 degrees F. for 8 days and at 40 degrees F. for 15 days. Additional samples were frozen for measurements of pH, soluble solids (sugars) and titratable acidity (acids). This replicated planting is providing fruit from many cultivars not previously available at the Horticultural Crops Research Station. 5) Pollination: Activity of commercial bumblebees was compared with activity of honeybees. Bumblebee activity from quads with shade covers was compared with quads without covers. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Blueberry growers and marketers. Information developed should aid them in improving fruit quality and production. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Dormex effectively increased the number of leaf buds that developed. Neither leaf buds or flower buds were damaged by the Dormex. The increase in leaf buds that developed in the spring of 2009 resulted in more fruiting shoots and flower buds for 2010. The most noteworthy finding from the cultivar study was the poor storage quality of 'Rebel'. 'Rebel' did not store any better than 'Croatan' in 2009. This was similar to the 2008 storage results. 'Croatan' has consistently shown poor keeping quality. In a very limited trial, bumblebee quads with shade did not seem to be more active than quads without shade. All three of these findings were generated by this project and will have a beneficial impact on blueberry growers and shippers.
Publications
- Mainland, C.M. 2009. Blueberry water needs- What are the best practices Pro. 44th Ann. Open House NC Blueberry Council. 44:24-27.
- Mainland, C.M. 2009. Growth regulators and controlled-release fertilizers that might benefit blueberry production. Pro. 44th Ann. Open House NC Blueberry Council. 44:40-43.
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