No abstract

The aim of the research was to determine the effect of fertilizers on the pH of former arable soils and on the growth and the yield of the lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.). Lowbush blueberry fertilization experiments were established in 1999 at two locations – at Kärla, Saaremaa, West Estonia and at Vasula, Tartu County, South Estonia. Experimental sites were situated on different soils: soil pHKCl at Kärla was 5.5 and at Vasula 6.2. Elemental sulphur and acidifying fertilizers (ammonium sulfate, potassium sulfate and superphosphate) were used in both plantations. Fertilizers were applied based on nutrient in the soil and sulphur was applied at 100 g m–2. Plant growth was recorded in 2001, 2002 and 2003. A positive influence of NPK fertilization on yield was found in both Kärla and Vasula, and yield were 336 g and 41 g higher compared to the control, respectively. The vegetative growth and yield of blueberry depended significantly on soil pH. Elemental sulphur increased soil acidity and on loamy sand soil did not increase plant productivity. The sulphur effect on soil pH began to decrease three years after application. Sulphur can be recommended to increase soil acidity in nutrient-rich soil but, not nutrient poor soil with light texture, where only NPK fertilizers were effective.;

No abstract

Chemical Composition and Quality of Cultivated and Natural Blueberry Fruit in Estonia Nutrition studies suggest that blueberries help keep us healthy and these possible health benefits may be due to the antioxidant capacity as well as other natural compounds in blueberry fruit. Different taxa of Vaccinium species (Bilberry - Vaccinium myrtillus L.; lowbush blueberry - Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.; half-highbush blueberry - Vaccinium corymbosum x Vaccinium angustifolium ‘Northblue’ and ‘Northcountry’) were analyzed for surface color, size, sugars, titratable acidity, soluble solids, fat, protein, vitamins and anthocyanin content. The blueberry fruit were harvested from three commercial blueberry plantations and from one natural habitat in 2003. The fruit of V. angustifolium were collected from two different areas: one plantation was located on mineral soil and the other on peat soil (abandoned peat pits). The anthocyanin content ranged from 125 to 405 mg·100 g-1 of fresh berry in different species and cultivars. Half-highbush blueberry ‘Northblue’ had the largest berry size but ascorbic acid and anthocyanin contents were low. V. myrtillus had the lowest total energy value, but the highest anthocyanin content. Glucose and fructose content was higher in fruit of V. angustifolium compared with the other species. The soil type (mineral or peat soil) did not affect anthocyanin and ascorbic acid content of V. angustifolium fruit but titratable acids and moisture content was higher in fruit of V. angustifolium grown on peat soil, compared with mineral soil.

The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of mineral and peat soil condition on the growth, yield and nutrient uptake of some half-highbush blueberry cultivars. The peat soil experimental site was located in a harvested (milled) peat field. Four half-highbush blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) cultivars (five- and six-year-old plants) were used in the experiment: ‘Aino’, ‘Alvar’, ‘Arne’, and ‘Northblue’. Environmental conditions exercised a considerable influence on biological processes of half-highbush blueberry, at the same time, a genotype-based variation was observed. Cultivar ‘Northblue’ had a higher yield in mineral soil and ‘Aino’ had the highest yield in peat soil considering the average of two years. The peat soil condition in the harvested peat field provided a better supply of nutrients for blueberry bushes compared to mineral soil and this, in its turn, secured better growth and a higher yield of blueberry bushes.