Optimizing Planting Density to Increase the Sustainability of Blueberry Farms

Project Overview

GS23-290
Project Type: Graduate Student
Funds awarded in 2023: $16,417.00
Projected End Date: 02/28/2026
Grant Recipient: University of Florida
Region: Southern
State: Florida
Graduate Student:
Martin Zapien
Email
Major Professor:
Dr. Gerardo Nunez
Email
University of Florida

Commodities

  • Fruits: berries (blueberries)

Practices

  • Crop Production: application rate management, fertilizers, nutrient management, water management, planting density

    Abstract:

    Blueberry farms in the southeastern United States have a high potential for water and nutrient leaching. In other crops, high planting densities have been shown to improve water and nutrient uptake efficiency and reduce nutrient losses. This project aimed to improve the sustainability of blueberry farms by determining the optimum number of plants per unit area to optimize nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and water use efficiency (WUE). Plants of two southern highbush blueberry varieties (‘Optimus’ and ‘Meadowlark’) were planted in early March of 2024 at low- (1,383 plants/Acre), standard- (1,936 plants/Acre), and high-planting density (3,227 plants/Acre) in an experimental field at the UF Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra, FL. Plant size (height, east-west and north-south canopy diameters), vertically projected leaf area, yield, fruit quality were measured and compared between density treatments for the first year of establishment. A subset of plants was destructively harvested a year after planting. NUE and WUE were calculated using plant biomass relative to water and fertilizer inputs. Progress and results from this project were disseminated through standard (field days), and emerging outlets (social media). This study provided insight about how planting density affects NUE and WUE in southern highbush blueberry farms for growers to make informed decisions that improve the sustainability of blueberry production.

    Project objectives:

    The goal of this project was to improve the sustainability of blueberry farms by determining the ideal planting density that results in the optimization of nutrient and water use efficiency. Specific objectives are:

    Objective 1: Evaluate NUE and WUE in blueberry plants grown at different planting densities.

    Objective 2: Disseminate research findings among growers, extension educators, and scientists.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.