CROP PRODUCTION SCIENCE IN HORTICULTURE 21 BLUEBERRIES Jorge B. Retamales and James F. Hancock CROP PRODUCTION SCIENCE IN HORTICULTURE SERIES Series Editor: Jeff Atherton, Professor of Tropical Horticulture, University of the West Indies, Barbados This series examines economically important horticultural crops selected from the major production systems in temperate, subtropical and tropical climatic areas. Systems represented range from open field and plantation sites to protected plastic and glass houses, growing rooms and laboratories. Emphasis is placed on the scientific principles underlying crop production practices rather than on providing empirical recipes for uncritical acceptance. Scientific understanding provides the key to both reasoned choice of practice and the solution of future problems. Students and staff at universities and colleges throughout the world involved in courses in horticulture, as well as in agriculture, plant science, food science and applied biology at degree, diploma or certificate level will welcome this series as a succinct and readable source of information. The books will also be invaluable to progressive growers, advisers and end-product users requiring an authoritative, but brief, scientific introduction to particular crops or systems. Keen gardeners wishing to understand the scientific basis of recommended practices will also find the series very useful. The authors are all internationally renowned experts with extensive experience of their subjects. Each volume follows a common format, covering all aspects of production, from background physiology and breeding to propagation and planting, through husbandry and crop protection to harvesting, handling and storage. Selective references are included to direct the reader to further information on specific topics. Titles available: 1. Ornamental Bulbs, Corms and Tubers A.R. Rees 2. Citrus F.S. Davies and L.G. Albrigo 3. Onions and Other Vegetable Alliums J.L. Brewster 4. Ornamental Bedding Plants A.M. Armitage 5. Bananas and Plantains J.C. Robinson 6. Cucurbits R.W. Robinson and D.S. Decker-Walters 7. Tropical Fruits H.Y. Nakasone and R.E. Paull 8. Coffee, Cocoa and Tea K.C. Wi I lson 9. Lettuce, Endive and Chicory E.J. Ryder 10.Carrots and Related Vegetable Umbelliferae V. E. Rubatzky, C.F. Qui ros and P.W. Simon 11.Strawberries J.F. Hancock 12. Peppers: Vegetable and Spice Capsicums P.W. Bosland and E.J. Votava 13.Tomatoes E. Heuvelink 14.Vegetable Brassicas and Related Crucifers G. Dixon 15.Onions and Other Vegetable Alliums, 2nd Edition J.L. Brewster 16.Grapes G.L. Creasy and L.L. Creasy 1 7. Tropical Root and Tuber Crops: Cassava, Sweet Potato, Yams and Aroids V. Lebot 18.OlivesI. Therios 19. Bananas and Plantains, 2nd Edition J.C. Robinson and V. Galan Saila) 20.Tropical Fruits, 2nd Edition, Volume 1 R.E. Paull and 0. Duarte This page intentionally left blank BLUEBERRIES Jorge B. Retamales Universidad de Talca, Chile and James F. Hancock Michigan State University, USA Obwww.cabi.org CABI is a trading name of CAB International CABI CABI Nosworthy Way 875 Massachusetts Avenue Wallingford 7th Floor Oxfordshire OX10 8DE Cambridge, MA 02139 UK USA Tel: +44 (0)1491832111 Tel: +1 6173954056 Fax: +44 (0)1491833508 Fax: +1 6173546875 E-mail: cabigcabi.org E-mail: cabi-naogcabi.org Website: www.cabi.org © J.B. Retamales and J.F. Hancock 2012. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronically, mechanically, by photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owners. A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library, London, UK. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Retamales, J. B. (Jorge B.) Blueberries / Jorge Retamales, and James F. Hancock. p. cm. -- (Crop production science in horticulture series ; no. 21) ISBN 978-1-84593-826-0 (alk. paper) 1. Blueberries. 2. Blueberry industry. I. Hancock, James F. II. Title. III. Series: Crop production science in horticulture ; no. 21. SB386.B7R48 2011 634'.737--dc23 1028617 ISBN-13: 978 1 84593 826 0 Commissioning editor: Sarah Hulbert Editorial assistant: Gwenan Spearing Production editor: Holly Beaumont Typeset by Columns Design XML Ltd, Reading, UK. Printed and bound in the UK by MPG Books Group. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION vii 1 THE BLUEBERRY INDUSTRY 1 2 BLUEBERRY TAXONOMY AND BREEDING 19 3 GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT 51 4 LIGHT, PHOTOSYNTHESIS, DUALITY AND YIELD IN BLUEBERRIES 75 5 NUTRITION 103 6 BLUEBERRY FIELD MANAGEMENT AND HARVESTING 143 7 GROWTH REGULATORS ] 93 8 BLUEBERRY PESTS, THEIR MANAGEMENT AND CULTIVAR RESISTANCE231 9 PRE- AND POSTHARVEST MANAGEMENT OF FRUIT DUALITY 267 INDEX 309 v This page intentionally left blank INTRODUCTION Blueberry production and commerce have expanded greatly in the last 20 years. From a crop that was mainly consumed and cultivated in North America, we have come to an era of worldwide blueberry cultivation. This expansion has encompassed plantings in a greater diversity of environments and the use of innovative cultural practices and conditions. This situation has challenged researchers to increase both the scope and depth of their activities. The number of articles and meetings on blueberries has grown at a steady pace. However, the information for people involved in blueberry research, culture or marketing is dispersed and usually difficult to access or interpret. It has been more than 20 years since Paul Eck published his Blueberry Science which comprehensively reviewed the available information on blueberries. Even though there have been some books on blueberries published recently, we felt there was a need to prepare a volume that would update readers with the current status of knowledge on blueberry science and management. The book is structured in nine chapters. In Chapter 1 the industry is described with information on the history of cultivation, the most important locations, the species and the cultural practices employed in the different production regions. Chapter 2 deals with the taxonomy of blueberry species, the history of improvement and current breeding efforts, tools and goals, and describes the most important blueberry cultivars grown worldwide. In Chapter 3 the anatomy and morphology of the highbush and rabbiteye blueberry are discussed, along with vegetative and reproductive growth and development. Chapter 4 deals with the generation and distribution of carbohydrates, and the factors involved in dry matter production and partitioning among the various plant organs. Chapter 5 concentrates on the mineral nutrition of blueberries, the factors that affect the availability of nutrients and the methods to establish and supply the nutrients to satisfy crop demands. Chapter 6 covers various management practices that are important in blueberry cultivation, including mulching, irrigation, pruning, pollination and harvest. Chapter 7 examines plant growth regulators in regard to their application and the factors that affect their performance. Current and potential uses of these substances are presented. The most relevant pest, diseases and weeds that attack blueberries vii viii Introduction are covered in Chapter 8. The information on diseases (virus, bacteria and fungi) is presented based on the organs affected and the symptoms associated with diseases and pests are described. Chapter 9 discusses the pre- and postharvest management of fruit quality. The attributes and factors affecting fruit quality are defined, as well as the factors that influence the postharvest life of the fruit and the approaches used to extend fruit quality. This book is meant to be an overview of the various aspects of blueberry science and culture. It is targeted towards blueberry researchers and students in horticulture, but it should also be useful for growers and people in the industry who want to update their knowledge on this crop. Our approach has been to explain in an understandable manner the basic science behind the growth and development of blueberries, their botanical characteristics, as well as the implications and effects of various management practices and environmental conditions. The authors are indebted for the encouragement and assistance of many people who made the work possible. The University of Talca financed a sabbatical leave for the senior author to start the writing of this book. Our wives, Beatriz and Ann, along with JBR's children (Beatriz, Jorge and Gabriela), were tremendously supportive throughout the two years of preparation of this book. Several people have provided help in various tasks, as follows: Randy Beaudry, Michigan State University, reviewed Chapter 9; Filar Banados, Universidad de Catalica, reviewed sections of Chapters 3 and 6; Ridley Bell, Mountain View Orchards, reviewed sections of Chapter 1; Peter Caligari, Universidad de Talca, reviewed the book proofs; Reinaldo Campos, Universidad Andres Bello, reviewed Chapter 9; Bill Cline, University of Georgia, reviewed sections of Chapter 8; Nicolas Cobo, Universidad de Talca, prepared drawings; Rebecca Darnell, University of Florida, reviewed Chapter 6; Chad Finn, US Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, reviewed Chapter 2; Mark Greef, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, reviewed sections of Chapter 1; Eric Hanson, Michigan State University, reviewed sections of Chapter 8; Rufus Isaacs, Michigan State University, reviewed sections of Chapter 8; Raul S. Lavado, Universidad de Buenos Aires, provided information on Argentinean soils; Oscar Liburd,