Evaluation of winter hardiness and productivity of five highbush blueberries cultivars in Latvia
2009
Sterne, D., Latvia Univ. of Agriculture, Jelgava (Latvia) | Abolins, M., Latvia Univ. of Agriculture, Jelgava (Latvia)
Winter hardiness is very important for introducing and commercial cultivation of blueberries in North Europe. Winter survival in the field is influenced by multiple factors that are influenced by uncontrollable environmental parameters. In the years 2006-2008, in eight farms were surveyed in different fruit-growing areas of Latvia, which produce highbush blueberries. We were interested in the plants physiological conditions (winter hardiness) after the winter, yields and the growth conditions. All study sites were evaluated by 6-year-old plant of highbush blueberry cultivars 'Polaris', 'Chippewa', 'Patriot', 'Northblue' and 'Duke'. After the year 2006/2007, the highest winter hardiness was observed for 'Polaris', 'Chippewa', 'Northblue' and 'Patriot'. The lowest winter hardiness was observed in 'Duke'. December 2007, January and February 2008 changing weather conditions did not do significant damage in plantations. 'Patriot' and 'Chippewa' had the highest average yield (kg per bush) throughout the production period, cultivar 'Northblue' had the lowest yield. On the other hand, 'Northblue' had the highest 100 berry weight. Cultivar 'Patriot' had the largest berry size - most of the berries had a diameter of 15 - 16 mm.
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