Preliminary Assessment of the Impact of Current Flooding Practices on Nonstructural Carbohydrate Concentrations of Cranberry

Abstract

ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. Vaccinium macrocarpon, respiration, temperature SUMMARY. American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) production sites are often fl ooded for pest control and crop harvest. However, little is known about how this practice affects vines. A survey was conducted in Massachusetts over a 3-year period to determine the effect of spring, fall, and winter fl oods on total nonstructural carbohydrate concentration (TNSC) of cranberry uprights of four cultivars. With a few exceptions, TNSC generally was unaffected or increased during the course of the 1-month "late water" fl ood held from mid-April to mid-May. The 48-hour "fl ash" fl ood, held in mid-to late May, generally had little effect on vine TNSC. Fall "harvest" fl oods, which ranged in duration from 3 to 27 days, often resulted in a decrease in TNSC, with greater decreases in TNSC occurring in early fall fl oods compared to late fall fl oods. Decreases in TNSC during the harvest fl ood were as great as 42%. "Winter" fl oods had little effect on TNSC. Path coeffi cient analysis indicated that fl ood duration, date of application, water temperature, and dissolved oxygen concentration all impacted vine TNSC during the fl ood, while fl oodwater depth had little effect. Water clarity (i.e., light penetration to the vines during the fl ood) also appeared to have little impact. Due to the frequent observation of TNSC decline during fall fl ooding, it is possible that yield potential of cranberry vines is reduced by current fl ooding practices.

Allocation Mechanisms of Non-Structural Carbohydrates of Robinia pseudoacacia L. Seedlings in Response to Drought and Waterlogging

“…This suggests that the seedlings were adapting to drought first by investing more carbon in belowground tissues to maximize water capture and that investment in roots is maintained preferentially even under severe drought stress (Ext). Investment in roots was also proportionally greater than investment in leaves under waterlogged conditions, although in this case, the reason is presumably to maximize oxygen uptake [47,48]. The overall reduction in biomass under drought and waterlogging conditions is consistent with previous studies [49][50][51] that showed similar changes in roots compared to aboveground biomass.…”

Responses of nonstructural carbohydrates to shoot removal and soil moisture treatments in Salix nigra

“…A 42% decline in NSC was found following early-fall floods of 3 to 27 days in American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait. ; Botelho and van Heuvel 2006).…”

Controlled studies further the development of practical guidelines to manage dodder (Cuscuta gronovii) in cranberry production with short-term flooding

“…Shorter retrieval intervals were used in the latter case since the risk of injury for flooded vines is higher under summer conditions 19,25 . To simulate spring conditions in Massachusetts, three water temperatures (10, 15 and 20 C) were evaluated.…”

“…16,17 . Temperature is an important criterion as water that is too warm can negatively impact stored carbohydrates in cranberry and reduce yields 19 . Temperature is an important criterion as water that is too warm can negatively impact stored carbohydrates in cranberry and reduce yields 19 .…”

“…They may also use short-term (48-h) floods in mid-May as a management option for black-headed fireworm ( Rhopobota naevana Hubner) 18 . Temperature is an important criterion as water that is too warm can negatively impact stored carbohydrates in cranberry and reduce yields 19 . Whether used deliberately or accidentally, flooding is known to impact weed species.…”