Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Target audiences include the 575 wild blueberry growers who have farms in the State of Maine and growers in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? 68th Annual Meeting WSSA and Northeastern Weed Science Society Baltimore, MD February 6-9, 2014 Blueberry Open House (Rutgers University NJ grower meeting), Hammonton, NJ March 6, 2014 North American Research and Extension Workers Conference, Atlantic City, NJ June 24-26, 2014 17th Wild Blueberry Health Summit, Bar Harbor, ME September 17-19, 2014 Wild Blueberry Association of North America and Wild Blueberry Research and Extension Workers Annual Meeting, Quebec City, Quebec October 22-23, 2014 How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Evaluation of pre-emergence herbicide combinations to prevent weed resistance in wild blueberry fields in Maine, the Northeastern Weed Science Society Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, January 7-9, 2014 Wild Blueberry Pest Management Update, Augusta Agricultural Trade Show, Augusta, ME January 9, 2014 Preventing Weed Resistance in Wild Blueberry Fields and Weed Management, NRCS/Extension in-Service Training and Program Update, Bangor, ME January 16, 2014. Systems Project Results for Weeds and Fertilizer, Wild Blueberry Spring Meetings, Waldoboro, Ellsworth, Machias, March 18,20,22, 2014. Wild Blueberry Pesticide License Training, University of Maine, Machias, ME, March 22, 2014. A systems approach to improving the sustainability of wild blueberry production - NIFA project 2009 – 2014. School of Food And Agriculture Seminar, Orono, ME April 14, 2014 Maine's Wild Blueberry Industry, Gorham Elementary school 4th Grade Class, Gorham, ME May 9, 2014 Wild Blueberry Research on Managing Herbicide Resistance, Wild Blueberry Summer Field Day, Jonesboro, ME July 16, 2014 Maine's Wild Blueberry Industry, Eagle Hill Institute, Stuben, ME August 30, 2014 Maine's Wild Blueberry Industry, New England Guild of Book Workers, Cobscook Community Learning Center, Trescott, ME, September 13, 2014 A systems approach to improving the sustainability of wild blueberry Production. Wild Blueberry Association of North America and Wild Blueberry Research and Extension Workers Annual Meeting, Quebec City, Quebec October 22-23, 2014 What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Wild blueberry growers in Maine have a long tradition of producing blueberries that preceded the development of the cultivated blueberry industry in the US. New England wild blueberry growers must compete with wild production in Canada, which has increased production over the years, with cultivated blueberries grown in the US and imported berries from South America. In order to remain competitive, production practices must developed to improve production efficiency. The systems project will provide a means to compare organic with low, medium and high levels of production to allow growers to adapt the level of inputs and risk that best suits their needs and allows them to produce will blueberries that will be able to compete in world markets. The economics of production will be compared and social values and limitations to accepting changes are also reviewed. Ancillary projects will provide additional information on food safety by addressing pathogens, soil health, and reduced risk pesticides for insects, diseases and weeds. An extensive outreach program which provides for grower meeting presentations, field training, fact sheets, and a wild blueberry web site that provides for blog and video output to support the program goals have been developed can be found at http://extension.umaine.edu/blueberries/. The goal of the project was to provide growers with information on how different management systems affect the crop, its environment and the ecological and economical sustainability of wild blueberry production. A critical issue affecting growers is how to optimize increasingly expensive inputs to achieve economically and environmentally sustainable yields. We conducted a multi-disciplinary large-scale study of four cropping input systems - Organic, Low input , Medium input and High input - that fit along gradients of capital inputs and potential environmental effects to quantify system effects on yield, fruit quality, pest communities, the environment, and economic effects of inputs. In the 2010 to 2012 cycle we established two fields per cropping input system for a total of eight fields, and in 2011 to 2013 four fields per cropping system for a total of 16 fields. This report discusses the fertility and weed aspects of the study. Leaf and soil samples were taken in the non-bearing years, and weeds and blueberry were evaluated in June and July. Fruit harvest on the Organic and Low input sites were by hand-raking and on the Medium and High input sites by mechanical harvester. There was large variation on variables measured between years and among locations. Leaf nutrient levels were highest at the High input sites with N, P and B much higher and on the Organic input sites leaf nutrient levels for N and P were deficient but Ca was higher. Weeds were highest in Organic and Low input systems. Yields were highest in the High input system, but with higher costs it was not the most profitable. Data from both years verify trends that the Medium input system was the most profitable. The Low input system was not profitable on most sites; Organic yields were lowest but with higher fruit value were profitable. Under the USDA Specialty Crops Research Initiative, this research compared the effects of various agricultural inputs on the sensory quality and chemical composition of wild Maine blueberries. The comparison of high, medium, low and organic management inputs for Maine lowbush blueberries will help generate recommendations for growers to efficiently and sustainably utilize farming resources while maximizing berry quality. Blueberry samples were harvested from sixteen farms throughout Maine with four farms designated for each treatment group to capture the diverse nature of wild blueberries. Representative samples from each lot were winnowed, hand-sorted and stored at 4°C in preparation for analysis. Ten gram samples were extracted with 70% acetone acidified with 0.1% HCl. The blueberry extracts were then diluted and randomized for total phenolic and anthocyanin content and antioxidant capacity analysis using Folin-Ciocalteu, pH differential, and Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) assays, respectively. Consumers (N = 50) rated the blueberries for appearance, color, size, flavor, texture, and overall acceptability using a 9-point hedonic scale. ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD tests were used to compare means. Agricultural inputs at low and organic levels produced the highest total phenolic content, anthocyanin content and antioxidant capacity. High input blueberries received significantly lower ratings for flavor, size and overall acceptability than did other treatments. Consumers rated the low and medium input blueberries higher than the high input samples for appearance. There were no differences in texture or color. Hedonic ratings were greater than 7 (like moderately) in all categories for the organic, low and medium input blueberries. In conclusion, low and organic input may produce blueberries with comparable sensory quality to medium input berries and a more desirable chemical composition, but these results were only observed in the second crop cycle. Therefore, recommendations to growers highlight the possibility of high quality wild Maine blueberries produced from a medium agricultural input level. Further research of low and organic systems may be useful.
Publications
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Chadbourne, Jennifer, "Agricultural Input Effects on Sensory Quality and Chemical Composition of Wild Blueberries" (2014). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 2100. http://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/etd/2100
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Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Target audiences include the 575 wild blueberry growers who have farms in the State of Maine and growers in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Changes/Problems: Dr. John Smagula and Dr. Al Bushway retired. Their responsibilities on the project have been assumed by Dr. Marianne Sarrantonio and Dr. Mary Ellen Camirerespectively. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? 67th Annual Meeting WSSA and Northeastern Weed Science Society Baltimore, MD February 4-7, 2013 Blueberry Open House (Rutgers University NJ grower meeting), Hammonton, NJ March 14, 2013 2013 Berry Health Benefits Symposium, Charlotte, NC, June 18-20, 2013 16th Wild Blueberry Health Summit, Bar Harbor, ME August 14-16, 2013 Wild Blueberry Association of North America and Wild Blueberry Research and Extension Workers Annual Meeting, Bangor, ME, October 24-25, 2013 How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? 2013 Presentations were made to wild blueberry growers on systems or ancillary projects at the Augusta Agricultural Trade Show, Augusta, ME January 10, 2013, Washington-Hancock County Farm Bureau Grower Meeting, Blueberry Hill Farm, Jonesboro, ME February 11, Spring grower meetings in Waldoboro, Ellsworth and Machias on March 19, 21 and 23, on Integrated Crop Management Field Training Sessions in Warren on Tuesday, April 23, May 28, and June 25, Orland on Thursday, April 25 May 30 and June 27 and Jonesboro on Wednesday, April 24, May 29, and June 26 and at the Wild Blueberry Field Day, Jonesboro, ME July 17. Progress reports on the systems studies were made to the Wild Blueberry Advisory Committee on February 12 and October 30. Ancillary weed studies presentations were made to weed scientists at 67thAnnual Meeting Northeastern Weed Science Society Baltimore, MD February 4-7, 2013. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Presentations are planned at the 68thAnnual Meeting Northeastern Weed Science Society in Philadelphia, PA, the Agricultural Trade Show, Augusta, ME, Spring grower meetings in Waldoboro, Ellsworth and Machias, ME, Integrated Crop Management Field Training Sessions in Warren, Orland and Jonesboro, ME.Papers will be presented at the North American Research and Extension Workers Meeting in New Jersey June 22-26 and at the Wild Blueberry Association of North America and Wild Blueberry Research and Extension Workers Annual Meeting, Quebec City, Qubec, Canada, October 27-28, 2014. .
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Wild blueberry growers in Maine have a long tradition of producing blueberries that preceded the development of the cultivated blueberry industry in the US. New England wild blueberry growers must compete with wild production in Canada, which has increased production over the years, with cultivated blueberries grown in the US and imported berries from South America. In order to remain competitive, production practices must developed to improve production efficiency. The systems project will provide a means to compare organic with low, medium and high levels of production to allow growers to adapt the level of inputs and risk that best suits their needs and allows them to produce will blueberries that will be able to compete on the world markets. The economics of production will be compared and social values and limitations to accepting changes are also reviewed. Ancillary projects will provide additional information on food safety by addressing pathogens, soil health, and reduced risk pesticides for insects, diseases and weeds. An extensive outreach program which provides for grower meeting presentations, field training, fact sheets, and a wild blueberry web site that provides for blog and video output to support the program goals have been developed. Food safety Prevalence study of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. on wild blueberries. From our study, no E. coli O157:H7 or L. monocytogenes was isolated either through culture methods or PCR screening from any of the forty harvested blueberry samples. Salmonella spp. was isolated from nine out of forty blueberry samples through culture methods, while through PCR screening eleven samples out of forty blueberry samples were screened to be positive. Overall there are five samples which were common positives for Salmonella spp. with both culture and PCR methods. Insect management Abundance of insect pest species and natural enemies in wild blueberry fields maintained under different management practices. No significant difference was observed between High, Low, and Organic sites; however, Medium sites had significantly more tip midge than Low input sites. There was no significant difference in the number of spiders among the treatments. Ants were most abundance in Organic fields and ground beetles (carabids) were most common in High input fields. There was also a trend towards crickets being more abundant in Organic fields; however, the difference was not significant. Low and High input fields had the highest captures of harvestmen; captures of “other” natural enemies were highest in Organic and High inputs fields. Production system practices significantly affect the populations of both pest and beneficial insects. Disease management Diseases and blueberry leaf loss were rated visually estimating percentages of blueberry coverage, blueberry stems with Phomopsis, witch’s broom or red leaf diseases, and blueberry leaf area with the following leaf spot diseases: Septoria leaf spot, powdery mildew, leaf rust, and false Valdensinia leaf spot. Blueberry cover was similar in both July and September with the highest levels of cover in the Medium and High input systems and the lowest levels in the Organic and Low input systems. In the September evaluation, Septoria leaf spot, powdery mildew and rust disease were found in all fields. There were significantly lower powdery mildew levels in the Low input systems than in the other management systems in the September rating. Over 70% of plots in all management types had Septoria leaf spot in both July and September. There was little difference among the management types in the average percentage of plots or the average percentage of leaf area with Septoria in either July or September. In July, leaf rust was found in one or two plots within two Medium input fields and in one Organic field. Leaf rust was detected in all fields in August and affected a significantly higher percentage of leaf area in the Organic fields than the other input types. Management inputs can affect the level of leaf diseases and stem diseases present during the prune year. Which management practices have the greatest effects on disease levels are being investigated. Weed Management Blueberry cover, woody weed cover, broadleaf weed cover and grass cover were assessed. Although there were no significant differences in blueberry cover among the four systems at either evaluation as blueberry cover followed the same trend as in 2011; by the second evaluation, the Medium input system had the highest blueberry cover, followed by the High input system. The Organic system had significantly higher woody weed cover than the Medium input system, and the Low, Medium and High input systems were not significantly different and had significantly more woody weeds than the High and Low input systems, but the three conventional systems were still not significantly different. Broadleaf weed cover in June was not significantly different among systems. Broadleaf weed cover in the Organic system was significantly higher than in the High input system; otherwise, there were no other significant differences. Grass cover in the Organic system was significantly higher compared to the three conventional systems. Higher inputs resulted in more blueberry cover later in the growing season. The Organic input system had the highest levels of weeds overall. The fact that these trends were consistent with the last cycle despite the addition of two sites per system gives us greater confidence that certain types of management will influence blueberry and weed cover in predictable ways. Effects of organic and conventional management systems on the phosphorus solubility of wild blueberry barren soils. Results from this study show that wild blueberry management treatments do not significantly affect the soil chemical characteristics as measured by standard soil tests and sequential P extraction protocol. Dissolved organic matter isolated from the organic pad of these blueberry barren soils did not inhibit the sorption of P in a laboratory study which was likely due to P in these soils being held to the soil through high-energy bonds. Further studies with these soils are needed to gain insights into how management treatments may be used to increase the bioavailability of soil P in a sound manner to preserve the pristine environments frequently surrounding areas of commercial wild blueberry production. Soil health and chemistry measures. The organic pad is the upper-most layer of soil, which contains the most available nutrients and water holding capacity for plant growth and maintenance. Among the input management systems, the Medium system was significantly greater than the others. Soil pH was highest in the Low input fields and lowest in the Medium and Organic fields. High and Medium input fields had greater CEC than Low and Organic. Organic fields had the highest aluminum and sulfur levels, as well as the lowest phosphorus levels. The High input fields had the lowest pH, while the Organic fields had the highest. There was also more phosphorus in the High and Medium input fields than in the Low and Organic input fields. Manganese was highest in the Low and Organic fields and lowest in the High and Medium treatments. There were no significant system treatment differences for organic matter, CEC, total nitrogen, potassium, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, sodium, or zinc. The thickness and amount by weight of the organic pad was unaffected by the pruning method, contrary to expectations, although the Medium input system did have a deeper organic pad than the other systems. Medium and Organic input systems had the lowest soil pH in the organic layer but High input fields had the lowest in the mineral layer. High and Medium input systems had greater CEC in the organic layer. Aluminum and sulfur levels were highest in both soil layers in the organic fields.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Rose, A, F. Drummond, D. Yarborough, and E. Asare. 2013 MAINE WILD BLUEBERRY GROWERS: A 2010 ECONOMIC AND SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF A TRADITIONAL DOWNEAST CROP IN TRANSITION, MAFES Miscellaneous Report 445, 24 pgs
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Kerames, Stephanie Kathryn, "The Effects of Different Agronomic Practices on the Composition and Quality of Wild Blueberries" (2012). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1723.
http://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/etd/1723
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Jones, Matthew S., "Arthropod-mediated predation and scavenging ecosystem services in the Maine lowbush blueberry (vaccinium anguatifolium) agroecosystem" (2013). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1909.
http://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/etd/1909
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Thompson, Ashley A., "An Assessment of the Variation in Populations of Monilinia Vaccinii-Corymbosi in Lowbush Blueberry in Maine" (2012). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1837.
http://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/etd/1837
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Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In spring of 2010, a four-year study of the effects of different blueberry cropping input systems on a. crop growth, yield, quality and food safety, b. pest levels/dynamics and level of risks to growers, c. soil health, and d. economic and ecological costs/benefits was initiated.The sites were harvested in August 2011, the Organic and Low input systems were hand raked, and the Medium and High input systems were harvested by a walk-behind harvester. The harvester head was 24 inches wide, so 25 inch rakes were used for consistency. At each site, a 15 m strip was harvested along each transect through the 1-m square weed plots. The yield from each transect was weighed with an analog scale onsite, and two winnowed 2 kg samples per block were immediately sent back to the University for fresh berry quality analyses and taste testing. . The sites were harvested in August 2011, the Organic and Low input systems were hand raked, and the Medium and High input systems were harvested by a walk-behind harvester. The harvester head was 24 inches wide, so 25 inch rakes were used for consistency. At each site, a 15 m strip was harvested along each transect through the 1-m square weed plots. The yield from each transect was weighed with an analog scale onsite, and two winnowed 2 kg samples per block were immediately sent back to the University for fresh berry quality analyses and taste testing. The low input treatment had significantly higher ORAC and total phenolic content, but anthocyanin content among treatments did not differ. Low input berries received lower hedonic ratings for appearance, size and overall acceptability compared with berries from high- and medium-input plots. Organic berries were also liked less for their small size compared with the higher-input treatments. Medium-input berries were not different from either organic treatment in flavor or overall acceptability. Anthocyanin, phenolic and ORAC content was negatively correlated with overall acceptability. Significant differences occurred within field location for all input levels. The number of acres, harvest yields and cost of harvest and all variable input costs were obtained from the cooperators for each input level and location for the 2010 and 2011 management cycles. These figures were put in a partial budget Excel spreadsheet that is available to wild blueberry growers on the www.wildblueberries.com website to determine the cost and returns per acre and per pound. PARTICIPANTS: Project Director: David E. Yarborough, COPI: Seanna L. Annis, Frank A. Drummond, Alfred Bushway, Mary Camire, Vivian Wu, Ellen Mallory, Tsutomu Ohno, John Smagula, George Criner. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audience was 600 wild blueberry growers in Maine and wild blueberry growers in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Project sites were expanded from two to four per management system for a total of 16 sites, but blocks per site were reduced from four to two, so total number of sample blocks remained the same at 32. The reason was to capture more variably to improve the application of the results.
Impacts
The Organic and Low input sites had comparable yields at 1,100 to 1,800 pounds per acres, and the mulched plots on the Organic sites had slightly more yield than the non-mulched. The Medium sites had an intermediate yield at 3,900 to 4,500 pounds per acre and the High input had one site with equivalent yield to the Medium input system at about 4,000 pounds per acres and one with approximately twice the yield at 8,400 pounds per acre. The Organic and Medium input systems had no significant differences between sites, while the Low and High input system sites did. In the case of the Low input system, this was due to high levels of disease at one low input site, which affected yield. It is unknown why one high yield site had twice the yield of the other in the High input system, but we speculate that genetic clonal yield variation, better pollination and better disease control contributed to the differences. . Strong negative correlations associated with phenolic content and superficial sensory attributes suggest that higher levels of phenolics found on the low input site are less appealing to the consumer. Texture was most highly correlated with overall acceptability compared to other sensory qualities and chemical composition, so a high hedonic rating for texture was a good predictor for a high overall acceptability score. While low input berries contained the highest amounts of phytochemicals, they were the lowest rated for consumer acceptance. Medium input berries received the highest hedonic ratings in all categories by the sensory panel. The organic fresh pack fields results varied from $356/a to $1735/a. Both sites received $4/pound for the berries but poor yields of 170 pounds per acres for the organic 1 fresh pack contributed to the low return. The organic 2 processed budget had the lowest return at $91/a because of a lower yield and lower process price of $1.40/lb. The low input fields had a loss of $375/a to $780/a. Although the harvest costs were lower than the organic sites, the higher pruning cost from burning, chemical weed and insect control and the low yields at 453 to 477 lb/a and a lower price than the organic fruit contributed to negative returns. The medium input fields had the best returns at $2442 to $2606/a. The input costs were lower than the high input fields and the yields nearly comparable. The high input sites had a return of $1749 to $2271/ a. The higher costs of irrigation, bees and disease control reduced the returns to below the medium input fields. The first year conclusions are not definitive and these preliminary results need to be interpreted in relation to the growing conditions. Results will be compared to the harvest yields obtained in 2013 before conclusions may be made.
Publications
- Yarborough, D.E. 2012. Establishment and Management of the Cultivated Lowbush Blueberry. International Journal of Fruit Science 12(1-3):14-22.
- Drummond, F., S. Annis, J.M. Smagula and D.E. Yarborough. 2012. Organic Lowbush Blueberry Research and Extension in Maine. International Journal of Fruit Science 12(1-3): 216-231.
- McGovern, K., S. Annis, and D.E. Yarborough. 2012. Efficacy of organically acceptable materials for control of mummy berry disease on wild blueberries in Maine. International Journal of Fruit Science 12(1-3):188-204.
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Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In spring of 2010, a four-year study of the effects of four cropping systems (organic and low, medium and high levels of conventional inputs) were established as eight one-acre blocks on grower's farms in Maine. The insect component involved sampling of pest and beneficial insects in each of these systems. We found some differences in the insect community due to the production system. Sampling insects with pitfall trap sampling showed that ants (predators) were more abundant as systems were ordered from high to organic. With the sweep net, plant bugs were more abundant in medium input production systems and were second most abundant in high input systems. Organic and low input systems had very low abundances of these pest species. Blueberry cover ratings were significantly lower in blocks with low input management and those managed organically compared to the sites under high or medium input management. Phomopsis ratings were significantly lower in the organic fields as compared to the medium and high input management fields and the medium input fields had significantly more Phomopsis than the low input fields. The medium input blocks showed the highest degree of variability in Phomopsis rating. Leaf spot ratings were significantly higher in the organic and low input fields than in the medium and high input fields. Soil pH differed among the management systems; the medium and high input systems had lower soil pH values than those of the organic and low input systems. Organic matter was also highest at the organic and low input sites, compared to the medium and high input systems. . Leaf N and P concentrations were lowest in the organic and low input management systems compared to the medium and high input systems. Leaf P concentrations were deficient at both sites representing the organic system, while plants at only one of the low management sites had leaf P concentrations below the standard. Leaf B concentrations were higher in the high input fields compared to the others. Leaf Mn concentrations were higher in the organic and low input compared to the medium and high input fields. Organic management input system resulted in less blueberry cover and more weed cover than conventional systems. Although the ultimate benefits or detriments of mulching to blueberry vigor and yield remain to be seen since mulching significantly decreased blueberry cover in the non-crop year, mulching appeared to significantly reduce many weeds during the non-crop year. So far there does not appear to be much variation in weed cover among the conventional input systems. The Medium input system had significantly more broadleaf weeds than the Low input system; however, regional differences may play a part as both the High and Medium input sites are located inland, while the Low input sites are located further west and on the coast. : The thickness and amount by weight of the organic pad was unaffected by the pruning method. The only differences among treatments were that the organic systems had thinner organic pad than the medium system and the mulched organic system had less organic pad by weight than all the other systems. PARTICIPANTS: Project Director: David E. Yarborough, COPI: Seanna L. Annis, Frank A. Drummond, Alfred Bushway, Mary Camire, Vivian Wu, Ellen Mallory, Tsutomu Ohno, John Smagula, George Criner. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audience was 600 wild blueberry growers in Maine. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
We have seen differences in the cropping systems in insect, disease, soil, plants and weed results but the results are preliminary and definitive conclusions depend upon further data collection over the next three years of the study and the economic analysis to be performed on these data.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The first field season of a four year wild blueberry Input Systems study to evaluate high, medium, low and organic input levels was established on eight locations in wild blueberry fields in Maine in the spring of 2010. Preliminary data suggest from insect sampling of the insect pest and natural enemy communities indicate that both populations differ among the management systems. Organic and low input fields had higher abundance of ants. Opiliones were not prevalent in high input fields but tip midge, early in the season, were more abundant in medium and high input production systems. This year was the first of four years and we intend to assess insect communities in all four years and in fruit-bearing as well as pruned fields. Various sampling methods were used to evaluate pests and beneficial insects. Blueberry and weed covers were assessed for each input study system in June and August. A piezoelectric quartz crystal direct immune-biosensor that can real-timely enrich, identify, and verify love target pathogens is being developed. We have started with the optimization of the ELISA assay to study the specificity and sensitivity of the antibodies. A separate site was established to evaluate the effect of compost sources on the nutrient dynamics of wild blueberry. Gypsum, rock phosphate and bone char ware applied to an organic field. Economic information on inputs and costs is being gathered for each production system. A survey was sent to 343 wild blueberry growers in the state of Maine with a return response rate of 29%. Growers were asked questions about their management practices, pesticide use, priorities, influences in decision-making, and beliefs about pesticide safety. Growers categorized themselves into one of four categories: IPM, Conventional, Organic and No-Spray, and analyses were conducted to examine factors that were linked to these four categories. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
A paper was presented in Quebec, Canada to blueberry growers and research and Extension workers on the effect of production systems in wild blueberry fields on soil abundance of insect pathogenic fungi. We have no evidence that production practices affect the level of these beneficial fungi in the soil. Overall, it appeared that the high and medium input systems tended to have the lowest abundances of natural enemies and the highest abundance of pests, although none of the pests were serious. The organic system had the highest amount of weeds overall, and the lowest blueberry cover by August. Mulching resulted in significantly less blueberry and grass cover by August. There were no significant differences in weeds among the other systems, while the medium input system had the highest blueberry cover by August. Five different concentrations of the anti E. coli O157: H7, from 1 g/ml to 20 g/ml were tested using eight log CFU/ml E. coli O157: H7 as the target. The results indicated that at the concentration of 10 g/ml, the assay showed the most color change with least quantity. Following the testing of the first antibody, the optimal concentration of the second antibody (anti-E. coli O157: H7-HRP) in ELISA could be determined. Soil, leaf and stem samples were taken from the organic site and are being evaluated for nutrient and plant health status. Economic costs of each system are being determined so these can be compared to each other and to the yield outputs to be obtained next year. One hundred useable responses indicated there were few significant differences between grower groups in priorities, and answers to this section were extremely varied. Fifty-eight percent of all growers noted, making a profit among their top three priorities. Maintaining the value of the land was also a high priority among all growers. Seventy-one percent of Organic growers prioritized providing healthy food for the public among their top three. IPM and Conventional growers were significantly more concerned with continuing their family's legacy than the other two groups, and this was the only significant difference in priorities between grower groups. Likewise, there were few correlations found between management style and age or education. IPM growers were most likely of all the groups to attend University of Maine Cooperative Extension grower meetings, workshops, and events regularly (84 percent, followed by organic growers (54 percent), conventional (42 percent), and then no-spray (30 percent)). IPM growers stated that they attend because they wish to earn credits towards their pesticide applicator's license. But they also cited curiosity (learning new things) and convening with other growers as reasons for attendance. Fewer Organic growers attend than IPM, but they attend for the same reasons.
Publications
- Rose, Anya. 2010. A CHARACTERIZATION OF MAINE BLUEBERRY GROWERS IN 2010. M.S. Thesis. University of Maine, Orono, 92 pgs.
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