Effect of Nitrogen Fertigation on The Growth and Nutrition Uptake of 'Brightwell' Rabbiteye Blueberry
2017
Kwack, Y.B., National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, Namhae, Republic of Korea | Chae, W.B., Rural Development Administration, Jeonju, Republic of Korea | Lee, M., National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, Namhae, Republic of Korea | Jeong, H.W., National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, Namhae, Republic of Korea | Rhee, H.C., National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, Namhae, Republic of Korea | Kim, J.G., Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea | Kim, H.L., National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, Namhae, Republic of Korea
BACKGROUND: Rabbiteye blueberry(Vaccinium ashei Reade) has lownutrient uptake efficiency due to its shallow and fibrous root system without root hairs. This study was carried out to establish an efficient nutrient application standard by investigating the effect of nitrogen fertigation on the growth and fruit characteristics of rabbiteye blueberry. METHODS AND RESULTS: 'Brightwell' rabbiteye blueberry was treated with 0, 50, 100 and 200% nitrogen fertigation of recommended fertilizer application (6, 9 and 14 g/bush in the first, second and third years, respectively). The results showed that leaf nitrogen content significantly correlated with the fruit weight and fruit yield. However, canopy area, dry weight, sugar and anthocyanin contents did not correlate significantlywith the leaf nitrogen content. The leaf and stem dry weights of 'Brightwell' rabbiteye blueberry during the third year of plantingwere the highest with 50% nitrogen fertigation (leaf dry weight=723.7 g/bush; stem dry weight=890.7 g/bush). Maximum fruit yield of 'Brightwell' rabbiteye blueberry (12.9 kg/bush) was observed during the third year of planting with 50% nitrogen fertigation and thiswas about 70%greater than the treatment that received no nitrogen fertigation. The fruit yields of 'Brightwell' rabbiteye blueberry during the third year of planting treated with 100 and 200% nitrogen fertigation were 11.0 and 11.5 kg/bush, and these were 17 and 12%lower than the 50%nitrogen fertigation treatment, respectively. Further, the efficiency of nitrogen utilization was the highest (90%) with 50% nitrogen fertigation and lowest (18%) with 200% nitrogen fertigation. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggests that fertigationwith 50%of the recommended fertilizer could be most effective for enhancing the growth and nitrogen use efficiency of rabbiteye blueberry.
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