
Journal Article
Cranberry and blueberry production in Latvia [2009]
Abolins, M., Latvia Univ. of Agriculture, Jelgava (Latvia). Faculty of Agriculture. Inst. of Agrobiotechnology; Sausserde, R., Latvia Univ. of Agriculture, Jelgava (Latvia). Faculty of Agriculture. Inst. of Agrobiotechnology; Liepniece, M., Latvia Univ. of Agriculture, Jelgava (Latvia). Faculty of Agriculture. Inst. of Agrobiotechnology; Sterne, D., Latvia Univ. of Agriculture, Jelgava (Latvia). Faculty of Agriculture. Inst. of Agrobiotechnology;
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Large cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) and highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) are relatively new cultures in Latvia. The first commercial cranberry plantation was established in 1985. Nowadays, the area of cranberries is approximately 100 ha which makes it the third largest in the world. The blueberry plantations compared to other European states are not so large - 170 ha. The largest part of the area of high moss peat bogs was drained and is now being used as cranberry fields – a bogs area of approximately 10 000 ha. The examination of the situation of cranberry and blueberry production started in 2007/2008. Cranberry and blueberry plantations were surveyed in all four fruit-growing areas of Latvia. The following parameters were examined: varieties and plantation sizes, the physiological status of the plants of different varieties after overwintering, growing technologies - characterisation of the soil or substrate, plantation location, growing distances; yield and yield quality. The most popular varieties of cranberries are ‘Stevens’, ‘Bergman’, ’Ben Lear’, etc. The most popular cultivars of blueberries are ‘Bluecrop’, ‘Patriot’ and ‘Northland’. The newest cultivars in the Latvian plantations are ‘Toro’, ‘Rubel’, ‘Blue Gold’, ‘Hanna’, ‘Klara’, ‘Drapers’ and ‘Bonus’. Planting technologies of highbush blueberries: 1) in mineral soil - 78 % of farms (with specific preparation of the soil before planting); 2) in peat – 22 % of farms.