THE RESPONSE OF NATIVE STANDS OF LOWBUSH BLUEBERRY IN NEWFOUNDLAND TO NITROGEN, PHOSPHORUS, AND POTASSIUM FERTILIZERS

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Plant Science
• Main Author: Rayment, A. F.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1965
• Subjects: Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/cjps65-023; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.4141/cjps65-023

Native Newfoundland stands of lowbush blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) were fertilized with ammonium nitrate, superphosphate, and muriate of potash in various combinations. Nitrogen caused earlier fruit maturity, increased berry size, and generally reduced fruit numbers, especially when in combination with added phosphorus. When nitrogen was used alone at 50 lb per acre, it gave an average yield increase of over 50% in the first pickings.When phosphorus and potassium were used together in the absence of nitrogen, there was an increase in fruit numbers resulting in higher yield. Combination of phosphorus with nitrogen was accompanied by increased vegetative growth of the blueberry and associated plants and decreased yields.