Genotype and Year Effects on Some Production Characteristics in Three Blueberry Cultivars (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

Abstract

The current trend of expanding blueberry plantations requires studies on the production capacity of blueberry cultivars in different cultivation areas. The paper’s aim was to follow the effect of genotype and environment on some production characteristics of three blueberry cultivars (‘Duke’, ‘Hannah’s Choice’ and ‘Elliott’) grown in the Banat region of Romania. The average fruit weight, production per bush and production per hectare were calculated. The analysis of obtained data highlighted a variability from one cultivar to another, and within the cultivar from one year to another. The simulated models have highlighted the highly significant influence of considered factors combined (cultivar*year) on production features. ‘Duke’ and ‘Elliott’ cultivars have the best results in the study area, that is, ‘Duke’ cultivar can provide blueberries for market early (from June) and ‘Elliott’ cultivar provides blueberries during the summer–autumn time interval. The outputs are very useful, bearing in mind the low amount of available information from the literature.