Foliar Calcium Applications Do Not Improve Quality or Shelf Life of Strawberry, Raspberry, Blackberry, or Blueberry Fruit

Vance, Andrew L.; Jones, Patrick A.; Strik, Bernadine C.

doi:10.21273/hortsci11612-16

Cited by 35 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…In addition, applying Ca during Phase I of berry development (rapid cell division), when Ca is more readily absorbed into young fruit from the transpirational stream, may more effectively increase Ca concentrations in leaves and fruits (Biddulph et al, 1959;Milthorpe and Moorby, 1969). The results of this study support those of Vance et al (2017), who found foliar Ca applications did not increase leaf or fruit Ca concentrations and had no impact on fruit quality and shelf life in blueberry and other small fruit crops [blackberry (Rubus L. subgenus Rubus), strawberry (Fragaria •ananassa), and red raspberry (Rubus idaeus)] grown in Oregon. The investigators in this study targeted applications to the later phases of fruit development, with Ca applications starting at the early green fruit stage and were repeated three or four times per year.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

“…Calcium in other fruits, such as apples (Malus domestica), has been shown to enter fruit while young and transpiring, possibly due to an increased stomatal number or function during the first weeks of fruit growth and development (Schlegel and Sch€ onherr, 2002;Wilkinson, 1968). Targeting the dynamic growth phase during early bloom and fruit set did not appear to sufficiently increase fruit nutrient levels in blueberry, and this may be due to a reduced number or function of stomata in early fruit development; stomatal function in blueberry leaves and fruit are not fully understood (Vance et al, 2017). Sufficient Ca may not have been applied after fruit set and during the initial phases of berry development to observe an effect.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Foliar Applications of Calcium and Boron Do Not Increase Fruit Set or Yield in Northern Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)

Arrington

DeVetter

2017

horts

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Fruit set in northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) can be low under certain climatic conditions, contributing to reduced yields in northwestern Washington. The mechanisms influencing fruit set are complex, but reduced fruit set may be associated with inadequate nutrient availability during critical stages of flowering, ovule fertilization, and initial fruit development. Calcium (Ca) and boron (B) are of particular interest for reproductive developmental processes and are frequently applied annually by growers in the Pacific Northwest region because of the perception that these nutrients enhance fruit set and corresponding yields. Evaluation of commonly applied products containing these nutrients and their effects on fruit set and yield are of specific importance to justify the application of these nutrients. To address this, commercially available fertilizers containing Ca and B were applied to ‘Draper’ and ‘Bluecrop’ blueberry as foliar sprays, either alone or in combination, during the 2015 and 2016 growing seasons in northwestern Washington. Treatments included calcium chloride (750 and 1500 ppm Ca), calcium sulfate (150 ppm Ca), and tetra borate (125 and 250 ppm B) foliar sprays, repeated six times per season every 7–10 days from early pink bud through petal fall. No significant increases were observed for fruit set, estimated yield, and fruit quality (firmness and berry weight) across the treatments. Increased concentrations of B were observed in leaf tissues in 2015 and 2016, and to a lesser extent fruit tissues. Calcium remained unchanged regardless of treatment and tissue type. Under the conditions of this study, foliar applications of Ca and B did not lead to increased fruit set or yield. This research suggests that other approaches should be explored to increase fruit set and corresponding yields of highbush blueberry grown in northwest Washington.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Foliar Applications of Calcium and Boron Do Not Increase Fruit Set or Yield in Northern Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)

Arrington

DeVetter

2017

horts

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“…Although Strik and Vance (2015) found considerable variation in leaf and fruit Ca concentrations, there did not appear to be a relationship in these values for either cultivar. In addition, foliar applications of Ca at manufacturer recommended rates have not been found effective to increase fruit Ca concentration (Arrington and DeVetter, 2017;Vance et al, 2017), likely due to the relatively short time that stomates are functional in blueberries and the impact on Ca uptake through the xylem (via transpiration) in the fruit (Yang, 2018). Although the use of feather meal increased fruit Ca concentration in this trial relative to fish solubles (Fernandez-Salvador, unpublished data), the relationship between leaf and fruit Ca concentrations was inconsistent with both negative and positive correlations in 'Liberty' and 'Duke', respectively, in 1 out of 2 years.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Organic Production Systems in Northern Highbush Blueberry: II. Impact of Planting Method, Cultivar, Fertilizer, and Mulch on Leaf and Soil Nutrient Concentrations and Relationships with Yield from Planting through Maturity

Strik¹,

Vance²,

Bryla³

et al. 2019

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The impact of various production systems on leaf nutrient concentration and soil organic matter, pH, and nutrient status was evaluated from the first growing season (2007) through maturity (2016) in a certified organic planting of northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). Treatments included planting method (on raised beds or flat ground), fertilizer source (granular feather meal or fish solubles) and rate (“low” and “high” rates of 29 and 57 kg·ha−1 N, respectively, during establishment, increased incrementally as the planting matured to 73 and 140 kg·ha−1 N, respectively), mulch [sawdust, yard-debris compost topped with sawdust (compost + sawdust), or black, woven polyethylene groundcover (weed mat)], and cultivar (Duke or Liberty). Mulches were replenished, as needed, and weeds were controlled throughout the study. The impacts of year, planting method, fertilizer, mulch, and cultivar on leaf and soil nutrient levels over this 10-year study were complex with many interactions among treatments. Soil pH remained within the recommended range for all treatments. Plants fertilized with fish solubles had higher leaf N, P, and K concentrations than those fertilized with feather meal, particularly at the high N rate in both cultivars. By contrast, fertilization with feather meal increased leaf Ca. Compost + sawdust added a cumulative (2007–16) total of 2274, 400, 961, and 2744 kg·ha−1 of N, P, K, and Ca, respectively, over the use of sawdust alone, and increased the concentration of P, K (as much as 90%), Ca, and Mg in the soil relative to other mulches. Soil organic matter content averaged 4.1% under compost + sawdust, 3.3% under sawdust, and 2.9% under weed mat, averaged over the last 5 years. Mulching with weed mat or compost + sawdust increased leaf K compared with sawdust in both cultivars, regardless of fertilizer treatment. Leaf Ca, on the other hand, was highest with sawdust and tended to be lowest with weed mat in both cultivars. Soil nutrient levels were not consistently correlated with leaf nutrient concentrations, other than between soil NO3-N and leaf N (5 years) and between soil and leaf K (4 years). On average, raised beds resulted in higher concentrations of N, P, K, Fe, and Al and lower concentrations of Ca, Mg, and B in the leaves than planting on flat ground. Furthermore, concentrations of N and Ca in recent fully-expanded leaves at standard sampling time was higher in young plants than in mature plants in both cultivars, whereas the opposite was found for leaf P. In ‘Duke’, yield was positively correlated with leaf Ca in 8 out of 9 years and negatively correlated with leaf K and P in 5 and 6 years, respectively. Leaf Ca and Mg were also negatively correlated with leaf K in most years for both cultivars, as was leaf N. Although leaf N concentration was higher with added compost, regardless of fertilizer source in ‘Duke’, and when fertilized with feather meal in ‘Liberty’, this was not correlated with yield. High N rates increased leaf N concentration, but did not result in greater yield. While soil and leaf tissue testing are important to help manage fertilizer programs, the lack of a consistent relationship between soil and plant nutrient status and yield was a reflection of the complicated interactions that occurred among nutrients in these organic production systems. Soil nutrient imbalances and changes in leaf nutrient concentrations associated with extended use of compost + sawdust mulch and fish solubles may lead to growth and yield problems in longer-lived plantings. In addition, the loss of organic matter under weed mat would need to be addressed in long-term plantings for sustainable production.

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“…defects such as spotting caused by product application, soft fruit, or splitting (in 'Legacy') could contribute to a lower rating. Ten randomly selected berries per experimental unit were used to determine average berry weight and skin toughness [method described in Vance et al (2017) (Correx 50-g tension gauge; Wagner Instruments, Greenwich, CT)]. These same berries were homogenized to measure TSS using a Palette temperature-compensating digital refractometer (Atago USA, Bellevue, WA).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

New Foliar-applied Biofilm Had No Impact on Splitting or Fruit Quality in ‘Elliott’ and ‘Legacy’ Blueberry in Oregon

Vance

Strik

2018

hortte

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Fresh market blueberry (Vaccinium sp.) sales require high-quality, firm fruit with no significant defects. A new phospholipid biofilm product was developed to reduce splitting and increase firmness when applied directly to blueberry fruit. Two trials were undertaken to test the effects of the biofilm using various application timings and methods. In highbush blueberry cultivar Elliott (Vaccinium corymbosum), four treatments included: 1) rate and timing on the current product label (5- to 10-mm berry size, 10% to 20% color change, and between the first and second harvests), 2) addition of a preharvest timing (5- to 10-mm berry size, 10% to 20% color change, and 7 to 10 days preharvest); 3) starting applications later (10% to 20% color change, 7 to 10 days preharvest, and between the first and second harvests), and 4) a water-sprayed control. Biofilm was applied at a rate of 2 qt/acre for all applications. In highbush blueberry cultivar Legacy (Vaccinium corymbosum × Vaccinium sp.), the same volume of biofilm was applied via an airblast sprayer or through an overhead sprinkler system typically used for chemigation and compared with a water-sprayed control. Data collected included yield (in ‘Elliott’), berry weight, firmness, skin toughness, total soluble solids (TSS), weight loss during storage, percent splitting (in ‘Legacy’), and a visual rating, evaluated on the day of harvest and about 14 and 28 days postharvest. There were no visual defects caused by application of biofilm. Compared with the controls in either study, biofilm had no consistent impact on fruit quality, firmness, shelf life, yield in ‘Elliott’, or splitting in ‘Legacy’.

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Foliar Calcium Applications Do Not Improve Quality or Shelf Life of Strawberry, Raspberry, Blackberry, or Blueberry Fruit

Cited by 35 publications

References 19 publications

Foliar Applications of Calcium and Boron Do Not Increase Fruit Set or Yield in Northern Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)

Foliar Applications of Calcium and Boron Do Not Increase Fruit Set or Yield in Northern Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)

Organic Production Systems in Northern Highbush Blueberry: II. Impact of Planting Method, Cultivar, Fertilizer, and Mulch on Leaf and Soil Nutrient Concentrations and Relationships with Yield from Planting through Maturity

New Foliar-applied Biofilm Had No Impact on Splitting or Fruit Quality in ‘Elliott’ and ‘Legacy’ Blueberry in Oregon

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