Comparative studies of some highbush and half-highbush blueberry cultivars

The aim of the study, conducted during the years 2001-2006, was to compare vegetative growth and yielding of some highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) and half-high bush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum X Vaccinium angustifolium) cultivars. The highbush blueberry cultivars: ‘Brigitta’, ‘Bonifacy’, ‘Denise’, ‘Toro’, ‘Sierra’, and ‘Bluecrop’ (standard), and half-high bush blueberry cultivars: ‘Emil’ and ‘Putte’, were planted in 2001, at a spacing of 2.5 m x 1 m. There were 4 replications with 5 plants on each plot. Total and mean length of annual shoots and their number , and also plant height and width, yield, mean fruit weight, fruit diameter and soluble solids content were compared for the period 2002-2006. The highest vegetative growth was recorded for the cultivar ‘Brigitta’ and the lowest for the cultivars ‘Emil’ and ‘Putte’. Average yields per plant varied from cultivar to cultivar; however, there were no significant differences in the total yield for 2002- 2006. Mean fruit weight varied from year to year. The biggest fruits were in 2003, the smallest in 2006 (half as big, irrespective of the cultivar). The soluble solids content in the fruits varied with the cultivar and year of the study, with ‘Denise’ having a relatively high refractometer reading. The study confirmed the frost resistance of half-high bush blueberry plants and their high yielding. ‘Brigitta’ and ‘Toro’ showed promise because of their high fruit quality, but they are not sufficiently winter hardy. The Polish cultivar ‘Bonifacy’ produced relatively high yields; its time of ripening was similar to that of ‘Bluecrop’ and its berries were much less waxy than those of other highbush cultivars