Oxford Frozen Foods Ltd. Research
Professor,
Dept. of Environmental Sciences, NSAC, Truro, NS
1.1 TWO
VERSUS THREE YEAR MANAGEMENT OF WILD BLUEBERRY PRODUCTION
Dr. Leonard J. Eaton, Dept. of Environmental Sciences,
Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, N.S.
Collaborators: Andrew King, NSWBI; Doug
Wyllie, C.L. Stonehouse Enterprises Ltd.
This
12-year study was initiated in 1989 at Debert and
Mount Thom to assess the effects of second cropping
(a three year management process) on wild blueberry
yields over time, and to compare it with the regular
two year management system. This was done over two
complete cycles that would allow direct comparison
of first and second crop yields in two of the 12 years
(1994 and 2000). We also assessed the differing effects
of burning versus mowing and fertilizer applications
versus no fertilizer. The final yields from this 12
year study were obtained in August 2000. Greater yields
were realized at both experimental sites in the three
year management process (second cropping) than with
the regular management practice of biennial cropping
during the first six year period, and with the total
yields at the end of 12 years. Yields in the two systems
were similar, however, at both sites during the second
phase of the study. Yields in fertilizer plots were
higher than those in unfertilized plots at both sites
throughout the study, except during the first six
years at Debert. Pruning had no effect on yields at
either site, except at Debert at the end of the first
6 year cycle. Preliminary estimates of net incomes
(income - management costs) suggest that the returns
from both management systems were similar over the
12 years at Debert, but not at Mt. Thom, where the
three year system resulted in a better total income,
but not net income, over 12 years. Regular fertilizer
applications over the 12 years contributed to higher
total and net returns at both sites compared to the
unfertilized controls. There were no differences in
incomes between the two pruning systems, even though
burning is more expensive than mowing. The results
of this study suggest the management process of second
cropping can be a viable alternative to the present
biennial management process of cropping every second
year, when used with regular fertilizer applications.
.2
EFFECTS OF INCREASING RATES OF PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZER
ON WILD BLUEBERRY PLANTS AND SOILS.
Dr. Leonard J. Eaton, Dept. of Environmental Sciences,
Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, N.S.
Collaborators: Kevin Sanderson, AAFC
Charlottetown; Dr. Glenn Stratton, Dr Phil Warman,
Ryan Ring, Dept Environmental Sciences, NSAC
Initiated
in 1992 at NSWBI, Debert, and at two separate sites
in Prince Edward Island, this long term study was
designed to assess the effects of increasing rates
of a phosphorus fertilizer on wild blueberry plant
growth and production, as well as on soil and plant
tissue levels of P and other nutrients. Phosphorus
fertilizer was applied in 1992, 1994 and 1996 at rates
of 0 to 92 kg P2O5 per hectare at all three sites,
in replicated sets of plots. The studies at the two
PEI sites were completed in 1997, whereas the study
at Debert was continued with fertilizer applications
in 1998, and further monitoring of soil and tissue
nutrient levels and plant growth and production at
least through 2001. To date, the results indicate
that repeated applications of increased amounts of
phosphorus result in significantly greater amounts
of extractable P in the soil over time, compared to
unfertilized controls. Smaller increases in P levels
in leaf and rhizome tissues of blueberry plants were
also observed, but the relationships between soil
and leaf tissue P were poor. There were no consistent
differences among treatments with respect to stem
length, buds and blossoms per stem, or yields, throughout
the study. The results of this study suggest that
repeated applications of a phosphorus fertilizer increase
P levels in soil and plants at different rates, but
do not stimulate plant growth and fruit yields.
Ryan
Ring, as part of the requirements for his M.Sc. Degree,
is studying the efficiency of several soil extraction
methods for predicting the availability of soil phosphorus
to wild blueberry plants at several levels of soil
P. This study is being used as one of his experimental
sites.
1.3 USE
OF COMPOST AND OTHER MULCHES ON WILD BLUEBERRIES.
Dr. Leonard J. Eaton, Dept. of Environmental Sciences,
Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, N.S.
Collaborators: Andrew King, NSWBI; Dr.
Peter Hicklenton, AAFC, Kentville.
Four types
of mulching material, sawdust, municipal solid waste
compost, sand/soil and landscape bark mulch were applied
to replicated plots at two sites on the NSWBI property
at Debert in September 1997. Plot sizes are 1 x 1
m, with 4 replications in the select clone area and
2 in the newly developed area across the road. These
plots are monitored through a series of photographs
over time, with which we hope to assess spreading
patterns associated with the different mulches. More
mulching material was added as necessary in the autumn
of 2000.
The
objective of this long term study is to evaluate the
effects of gypsum applied with and without fertilizer
on nutrient status and yield of wild blueberries in
Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. Replicated plots
with four treatments (1: control; 2: gypsum @ 4 tonne/ha;
3: 10-10-10 @ 300 kg/ha and 4: gypsum @ 4 tonne/ha
+ 10-10-10 @ 300 kg/ha) were set up in two site in
Prince Edward Island and in three sites in Nova Scotia,
during May 1998. Soil and leaf tissue nutrient levels
were assessed at tip die back (usually July) in each
year. Plant growth and yield data were assessed in
the crop year (1999, 2001). The treatments affected
levels of soil Ca, S and pH at the three Nova Scotia
sites in 1998, and at three of the 5 sites in 1998.
Only S levels in leaf tissue were affected by treatment,
and demonstrated differences in both years. At the
end of the first crop cycle (1999), plant growth and
production appeared to be unaffected by treatments,
except for buds per stem (2 of 5 sites) and stem length(1
site). We are convinced that this study should be
continued for at least one more production cycle.
1.5 MOSS IN WILD BLUEBERRY FIELDS.
Dr. Leonard J. Eaton, Dept. of Environmental Sciences,
Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, N.S.
Collaborators: Katriona MacNeil, NSAC;
Doug Wyllie, C.L. Stonehouse Enterprises; Morris Lloy.
This study
was initiated in 1999 to determine the extent of moss
infestation in a number of commercial blueberry fields,
to understand the nature of moss growth and spread
within commercial blueberry fields, and to begin the
search for methods of prevention and control. As part
of the study, we mapped the distribution of moss in
the mow plot at the NSWBI Field Station, Debert. This
is the only part of the site, except for the three
year management plots, in which we could find consistent
amounts of Polytrichum spp., the type of moss most
common in wild blueberry fields. Preliminary data
suggest that mosses are beginning to move into commercial
fields as a result of tolerance to Velpar, possibly
due to lower herbicide rates in recent years. It appears
that the mosses do not adversely affect wild blueberry
plant growth and production until the moss plants
reach 100 % cover. At this point, the numbers of blueberry
stems per unit of area are significantly reduced compared
to stem numbers in areas where moss is absent. Other
aspects of moss - wild blueberry interactions will
be reported by Katriona MacNeil, who is studying the
problem as part of the requirements for her B.Sc.
Degree. Her work was supported by an NSERC Summer
Research Fellowship.
2.1 A
Comparison of Five Extraction Methods for Determining
Available Soil Phosphorus in Nova Scotia Blueberry
Soils.
R. A. Ring, P. R. Warman, G. W. Stratton, L. J. Eaton,
Dept. of Environmental Sciences, Nova Scotia Agricultural
College, Truro, NS.
Collaborators: Nova Scotia Wild Blueberry
Institute, Bragg Lumber Company, WBPANS, NSERC, Chesley
Walsh, and Jim Burgess.
A project was initiated
to determine the best predictor of plant available
phosphorus, for the Nova Scotia lowbush blueberry,
from the following extractants: Mehlich 1, Mehlich
3, Bray 1, Modified Morgan and the Anion Exchange
Membrane (AEM). The project was initiated in 1999
with three newly established sites; two loamy soils
located in South Branch (South Branch and White Fields),
and one sandy loam soil in Debert. Two additional
sites, both sandy loams, one located in Parrsboro
and the other at the Wild Blueberry Institute are
also being used. Soil samples were taken in the spring
and at tip dieback or harvest (late summer) from all
sites during the 1999 and 2000 growing seasons. Tissue
samples were obtained, with the late summer soil samples,
to correlate soil phosphorus with the phosphorus present
in the tissue. All data obtained to date was statistically
analyzed with the SAS System software package. Results
from the 1999 and 2000 seasons indicate that the complexity
with which the blueberry plant takes in P, affects
the ability of the extractants to predict leaf P concentrations.
It would appear that at low levels of extractable
P (<10 mg extractable P kg-1 soil) none of the
five extractants can accurately predict leaf P concentrations.
However, the White Field site did have significant
correlations ® > 0.60) for all five extractants,
due in large part, to the high rates of applied P
which resulted in levels of P higher than those obtained
at the other sites. The remaining sites had levels
of P which were too low to accurately predict the
P uptake of the plant. Further work on the uptake
of P by the blueberry plant under conditions of low
and high levels of extractable P is required.
3.
Dr. David Percival
Dept. of Environmental Sciences,
Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, NS
3.1
NITROGEN FORMULATION INFLUENCES PLANT NUTRITION AND
YIELD COMPONENTS OF LOWBUSH BLUEBERRY (VACCINIUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM
AIT.)
D.C. Percival1, and J.P. Privé 2. Dept. of Environmental
Sciences, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro,
Nova Scotia1. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Bouctouche,
New Brunswick2.
Collaborators: Aubrey Atkinson, WBPANS,
Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Bragg Lumber Company,
Nova Scotia Wild Blueberry Institute.
A study examining
the influence of nitrogen formulation and application
date was conducted at the Nova Scotia Wild Blueberry
Institute and at a commercial field at West Brook
N.S. from 1997 to 2000. Nitrogen applications consisted
of applying 25 kg·ha-1 N in the autumn following the
cropping year of production (September and October),
or during the spring (May) of the vegetative year
of production. The nitrogen sources consisted of ammonium
nitrate (AN), ammonium sulphate (AS), or sulphur coated
urea (SCU), and were applied in a 7-14-7 mixture (N:P2O5:K2O).
No deleterious effects of autumn nitrogen applications
on winter hardiness were observed in this study. Although
fertilizer application, application date, and nitrogen
formulation had a significant impact on leaf tissue
nitrogen content, these differences were less than
7%. Fertilizer applications had a beneficial effect
on yield at all sites examined with yield increases
of 23, 27, and 25% being observed at the NSWBI (1999),
NSWBI (2000), and West Brook sites respectively. These
yield increases were partially due to increased berry
numbers per stem, with 7.6, 82, and 10% more berries
per stem being present than the control at the NSWBI
(1999), NSWBI (2000) and West Brook sites respectively.
Nitrogen formulation had a significant influence on
yield at all 3 sites with the fruit set and yield
of the AN treatments being lower than the AS and SCU
treatments. Therefore, the results from this experiment
indicate that nitrogen formulation can influence the
yield potential of lowbush blueberries, and must be
considered in fertility management practices.
4.
Allison Murray, Fourth-Year Student
Dept. of Environmental Sciences,
Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, NS
4.1 DROUGHT STRESS
SIGNALING AND SUBSEQUENT GROWTH DYNAMICS OF THE WILD
LOWBUSH BLUEBERRY (VACCINIUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM AIT.)
Allison Murray, David Percival, Dept. of Environmental
Sciences, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro,
NS. Collaborators:WBPANS, Nova Scotia
Agricultural College, Bragg Lumber Company, and the
Nova Scotia Wild Blueberry Institute.
This research project
was completed from April to August at the Nova Scotia
Wild Blueberry Institute (NSWBI), in Debert Nova Scotia.
There were ten plots in total, each plot was divided
in half. The treatments consisted of plots with shelter
with a cut border, no shelter with cut border, shelter
with uncut border, and no shelter with uncut border.
The objectives of the research were to examine the
contribution of lateral movement of water on (1) leaf
fluorescence, (2) leaf gas exchange, (3) growth and
development dynamics, and (4) yield of wild lowbush
blueberries. To monitor the soil moisture throughout
the summer, soil moisture probes were placed in each
half of the plots. The examination of these objectives
included taking leaf fluorescence measurements with
a fluorescence meter and photosynthesis measurements
to give an indication of any internal effects to the
blueberry plant. Sap flow measurements on the blueberry
plant were collected three times throughout the summer.
Sap flow was determined to monitor water flow and
lateral water movement (rhizomes) in the blueberry
plants. To assess growth and development, vegetative
samples were collected from all plots. Stem length,
floral zone length, number of set fruit, vegetative
and flowering node numbers and berry weight per stem
were collected then analyzed. At the end of August,
harvestable yield was hand-raked and total plot weights
were recorded to later determine average berry weight.
Due to below average rainfall in Nova Scotia during
the crucial wild blueberry growing season the past
few years, information on the effects of drought stress
signaling between plants and growth are important
to blueberry producers. Information obtained in this
study may provide industry with insight toward yield,
growth and development and how they are affected under
drought stress.
5.
Bonna Jordan, Graduate Student
Dept. of Environmental Sciences,
Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, NS
5.1 IMPACT OF
LIVING MULCHES ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND GROWTH DYNAMICS
OF THE LOWBUSH BLUEBERRY (VACCINIUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM
AIT.)
Bonna Jordan1, Dr. David Percival1, Dr. Gordon Brewster1,
Gary Patterson2. Department of Environmental Sciences,
Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, N.S.1 Agriculture
and Agri-Food Canada, Truro, N.S. 2
Collaborators: WBPANS, Nova Scotia
Wild Blueberry Institute, Bragg Lumber Company, and
Bruce Mowatt.
With the increase
in the use of herbicides such as hexazinone (Velpar)
bare spots have become a common occurrence in wild
blueberry fields. With no supportive vegetative cover,
these bare spots are susceptible to soil erosion and
their microclimate conditions are not very favourable
for blueberry growth. Soil erosion reduces soil quality
and the coverage of lowbush blueberries. It has been
proposed that this problem can be reduced by using
living mulches. The objectives of this study were
to examine the establishment characteristics of the
living mulches, the changes in the physical environment
that occur as a result of the living mulches, and
the subsequent effects on the growth dynamics of the
lowbush blueberry. Studies were conducted at two commercial
fields in Upper Stewiacke, Nova Scotia. The living
mulch treatments for this project were recommended
from a single- species vegetation management study
in Debert, Nova Scotia. The first field was established
in 1998 with the treatments consisting of (1) a control,
(2) creeping red fescue and perennial ryegrass and
(3) birdsfoot trefoil and tall fescue. Treatments
for the second field established in 1999 were (1)
a control, (2) birdsfoot trefoil, perennial ryegrass,
tall fescue, and (3) nordic hard fescue, sheep's fescue,
creeping red fescue and perennial ryegrass. Both fields
were organized in a randomized block experimental
design and were in sprout year in 1998 and 2000. With
two years of data, results indicate no detrimental
interactions occurring between the living mulches
and lowbush blueberry and an improvement in soil physical
conditions (i.e. hydraulic conductivity and infiltration
rate). With these improvements lowbush blueberries
have an increased potential of spreading into these
once bare areas decreasing soil erosion and improving
blueberry coverage.
6.
Lindsay Hainstock, Graduate Student
Dept. of Environmental Sciences,
Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, NS
6.1 GETTING
BACK TO BASICS: CARBON ASSIMILATION AND ALLOCATION
IN WILD BLUEBERRY PLANTS
Lindsay Hainstock 1, David Percival1, J.P. Privé 2,
and Nancy Crowe 1. Dept. of Environmental Sciences,
Nova Scotia Agriculture College, Truro, N.S.1 Atlantic
Food & Horticulture Research Centre, Bouctouche N.B.2
Collaborators: WBPANS, Nova Scotia Wild
Blueberry Institute, Bragg Lumber Company, and NSERC.
The objectives of
this experiment were to measure the assimilation rate
of carbon and how it is allocated throughout the lowbush
blueberry plant for both the sprout and crop 1999-2000
growing season at the Nova Scotia Wild Blueberry Institute.
Carbon Assimilation: Photosynthetic readings
were measured weekly on the stems of blueberry plants
in both the crop and sprout stage of production from
May to October. The stems were then removed and brought
back to the lab where the leaf areas were measured
and the photosynthetic pigments extracted for measurement.
On the same day, the fluorescence of individual leaves
was measured under natural light and under dark-adaptation.
Carbon Allocation: Whole plant samples were
removed every 2-3 weeks from April to November. The
plant were brought back to the Nova Scotia Agriculture
College where they were cleaned, dried, and separated
into stems, roots, rhizomes, and berries. The dry
weights were recorded and the samples ground for carbohydrate
analysis. Data is presently being analyzed.
7.
Ekaterina Jeliazkova
Dept. of Environmental Sciences,
Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, NS
7.1
INFLUENCE OF DROUGHT STRESS ON MYCORRHIZAL ASSOCIATIONS
IN LOWBUSH BLUEBERRY.
Ekaterina Jeliazkova, and David Percival. Dept. of
Environmental Sciences, Nova Scotia Agricultural College,
Truro, NS.
Collaborators: Bragg Lumber Company,
Nova Scotia Wild Blueberry Institute, and Wild Blueberry
Producers Association of Nova Scotia.
A drought stress
study was conducted at the Nova Scotia Wild Blueberry
Institute. The study was aimed to determine the impact
of drought stress on the mycorrhizal infection levels
in lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.)
roots. In addition, the spatial allocation of the
mycorrhizal associations was assessed. A field experiment
with a completely randomized block design was set
up. The treatments consisted of control (no water
exclusion and naturally rain fed) and drought plots
(water exclusion, achieved by using transparent sheds
placed at approximately 50 cm above the ground). The
soil moisture content in the treatment plots was measured
using CS615 soil moisture probes (Campbell Scientific)
and the readings recorded hourly by a CR10X Data logger.
The study was conducted simultaneously in both, the
vegetative and cropping stage of production. Within
each stage of production five replications were used
per treatment, and within each replication five samples
were collected. Each collected sample, a soil core,
was 2.5 cm in diameter and 15 cm deep. To assess the
spatial allocation of the mycorrhizal fungi in the
blueberry roots the soil core samples were divided
into upper (0 – 7.5 cm) and lower (7.5 –15 cm) portions.
The collected samples were stored in a refrigerator
until needed and further processed for mycorrhizal
examination as follows. The blueberry roots were separated
from the soil by washing with tap water through a
stack of sieves until clean. The cleaned roots were
cut into segments, approximately 20 mm in length,
and prepared for microscopic examination by further
clearing, following the procedures reported by Boyer
et al. (1982), Kormanik and McGraw (1982), and Brundrett
et al. (1996). The cleared root segments were stained
using 0.01 % Chlorazol Black E. The root segments,
each from 0.075 to 0.1 mm in diameter, were examined
for mycorrhizal infection using light microscope.
Colonization levels were assessed at X 400 and expressed
as percent mycorrhizal infection. Percent infection
was calculated by measuring mm of the root segments
containing hyphae, divided by the total number of
mm per root segment, and multiplied by 100. The mycorrhizal
associations were equally distributed in the soil
profiles of 0-7.5 cm and 7.5-15 cm depth, with percent
infection ranging from 72.4% to 68.9%, respectively.
Drought had no effect on the mycorrhizal infection
levels with percent infection being 69.1% and 71.2%
for the drought and control treatments, respectively.
Overall, the results of this research indicated that
the percent incidence of the mycorrhizal associations
in the wild blueberry roots is relatively high. In
addition, the study showed that the mycorrhizal associations
were equally distributed in the soil profile of 0
to 15 cm and were not affected by the soil moisture
status. During 2001, we plan to expand the research
and evaluate the impact of the mycorrhizal associations
on nutrient assimilation and allocation and overall
growth and development of the wild blueberry.
8.
Peter Burgess, Graduate Student
Dept. of Environmental Sciences,
Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, NS
8.1
EFFICACY AND CROP PHYTOTOXICITY OF SEVERAL HERBICIDES
ON COMMERCIAL WILD BLUEBERRIES VACCINIUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM
AIT. AND INTRODUCED LIVING MULCHES.<
Collaborators: Andrew King, NSWBI; and
Sara Reid, NSWBI
This study involved
two distinct phases. A herbicide screening study was
done at the Nova Scotia Wild Blueberry Institute,
from which herbicides that showed low phytotoxic effects
could be tried on a second phase, an introduced living
mulch greenhouse trial at the NSAC. This trial looked
at the herbicide effectiveness on the introduced living
mulches and also looked at herbicide tolerance. The
NSWBI portion of the study involved a section of relatively
homogenous, semi-commercial wild blueberry field,
used to test the phytotoxic effects of 11 treatments
on the blueberry plants. Treatments of a standard,
(hexazinone, applied to entire treatment area earlier
in spring after burning), imazethapyr, nicosulfuron/rimsulfuron,
thifensulfuron-methyl, chlorimuron, Flumetsulam/metolachlor,
fluazifop-p-butyl, prosulfuron, rimsulfuron-elim,
quizalofop-ethyl and clethodim were applied, on top
of the hexazinone application before full emergence.
Phytotoxic characteristics were rated for each plot
on a 0-9 scale ( 0 = nil affect, 9 = plant death ).
Ratings were done at one, four, and eight weeks after
application. The greenhouse study was set up as a
completely randomized design and involved five different
living mulch species (Creeping Red Fescue, Hard Fescue,
Sheep Fescue, Perennial Rye Grass, and Birdsfoot Trefoil).
Fluazifop-p-butyl, prosulfuron, nicosulfuron/rimsulfuron
(Ultim), tribenuron-methyl, hexazinone, and a control
(no herbicide application) were applied on each of
the five living mulches and replicated five times.
In the field trial at the Nova Scotia Wild Blueberry
Institute Chlorimuron, imazethapyr and flumetsulam/metolachlor
produced mean phytotoxic effects greater than (2.75).
This high rate was deemed to be unacceptable for further
study at full rate. Fluazifop-p-butyl (Fusillade),
prosulfuron (Peak), and nicosulfuron/rimsulfuron (Ultim)
showed mean phytotoxicity ratings lower than (2.75)
and had desirable action spectrums. The broad spectrum
herbicides nicosulfuron/rimsulfuron and hexazinone,
showed a very high phytotoxic activity when applied
to the introduced living mulches in the greenhouse.
However, there was some tolerance with creeping red
fescue and sheep fescue when fluazifop-p-butyl and
tribenuron-methyl were applied. Further study into
varying rates of different herbicides should be done
to develop an integrated vegetation management plan.
Yield data was collected on the field site in August
of 2000. The treatment site was in a recently levelled
area and as a result harvesting efficiency was reduced,
due to exposed roots and low growing plants. Decreased
harvesting efficiency combined with natural variation
and less than 60% plant coverage throughout the treatment
area resulted in no significant treatment differences
with regards to yield at this location.
9.1 Dr. Sonia
Gaul
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Kentville, NS
9.1
IMPROVED IPM OF THE BLUEBERRY FRUIT FLY.
Dr. Sonia Gaul, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada,
Atlantic Food and Horticulture Research Centre, 32
Main Street, Kentville, N.S.
Collaborators: Sara Reid, Amanda Hampton,
NSWBI
The interception
of the blueberry fruit fly, Rhagoletis mendax Curran,
before the female adult lays eggs in the developing
fruit is the basis of the insect control strategy
for this pest of lowbush blueberries. Studies in 2000
have investigated the influence of trap spacing on
the interception of adults of the blueberry fruit
fly in lowbush blueberry fields at the NSBI site.
There was no change in seasonal trap captures from
July 17, 2000 to August 18, 2000 with decreased distance
between traps, from 2.5 m to 10 m. Average total seasonal
trap captures were 25 at 2.5 m, 14 at 3.75 m, 17 at
5 m, 15 at 7.5 m and 15 at 10 m.
5. MANAGER'S
REPORT
Sara
Reid, Interim Field Manager
There were a lot
of valuable results produced at the conclusion of
the 2000/01 season. There were many research projects,
both long and short-term that were concluded, as well
as, seven new research and extension projects that
were implemented.
The "Wild Blueberry
Research and Extension Initiative" allowed for a lot
of well-needed industry projects to be completed.
The projects are as follows:
- NSWBI Business Plan
- Weed Demonstration Garden
- Farm Management Analysis
Pilot Project
- Slide and Photo Gallery
- Five new factsheets completed
for the Wild Blueberry Handbook
- Industry Webpages: NSWBI
and WBPANS
- WBPANS Annual Meeting Booklet
The staff at the
NSWBI Field Station this past season were Sara Reid
and Amanda Hampton. Sara was funded by Agri-Futures
Nova Scotia for the entire year, while Amanda was
funded by the Wild Blueberry Producers' Association
of Nova Scotia for the summer months and was shared
with the NSDAM Insect Survey.
Each year there
are a new set of research priorities produced by the
industry. As the research priorities change, the topics
covered at the NSWBI reflect the industry needs. In
2000/01, the following topics were covered:
- Two versus Three-Year Management
- Leaf Gas Exchange/Photosynthesis
- Carbon Assimilation Study
- Drought/Irrigation Study
- Mycorrhizal Association
- Nitrogen Fertilizer Experiment
- Fall versus Spring Fertilization
- Effects of Fertilizer, Lime
and Gypsum
- Effects of Phosphorus
- Soil Phosphorus Extraction
- Compost Study
- Vegetation Management
- Herbicide Effect on Native
Plants and Living Mulches
- Fruit Fly Trapping Study
- Moss Study
- Weed Trials
- Erosion Study
Demonstration projects
included:
- Long Term Pruning Trials
- Weed Collection
- Select Clones
- Equipment
- Hybrid Seedling Plots
The back field was
harvested in 2000 and averaged 2,447 lbs/acre (14,684
lbs/6 acres). A newly developed site across the road
was also harvested (patch picked) and averaged 647
lbs/acre (2,587 lbs/ 4acres).
Visitors on site
included growers, researchers, students, and interest
groups.
The new land acquired
by the Nova Scotia Wild Blueberry Institute has developed
considerably since it was cleared in 1994. Plant growth
and spread seem to be very rapid on this land. The
left hand part of this field was harvested for the
first time in 1998, and the right hand side for the
first time in 1999. Both pieces were stumped and levelled
in 2000.
6. RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT FUND From 1992 to
2000, numerous projects received funding from the
Nova Scotia Wild Blueberry Institute Research and
Development Fund, totalling $102,400.
7. NOVA
SCOTIA BLUEBERRY INSTITUTE FINANCIAL REPORTS
1.0
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