SELECTION OF AN "OPTIMUM" TIME TO HARVEST LOWBUSH BLUEBERRY FRUIT

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Plant Science
• Main Authors: AALDERS, L. E., STARK, R., HALL, I. V., JACKSON, L. P., PENNEY, B. G., RAYMENT, A. F.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1972
• Subjects: Horticulture; Plant Science; Agronomy and Crop Science; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/cjps72-115; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.4141/cjps72-115

A field study at Nappan, Cumberland County, Nova Scotia, was conducted over a 3-year period, 1969–71, to determine the optimum date of harvest for the lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.). For each of the 3 years, from 70 to 80% of the fruits were ripe by August 10 and by August 30 more than 90% were ripe. The data obtained suggest that the total yield by number of ripe fruit would not appreciably be reduced, particularly in years with above-normal heat units, by advancing the season approximately 5 days earlier than has normally been done. Earlier picked fruit has tougher skin that would result in a greater number of whole fruits in processed products. Raking early would increase the percentage of green fruit and therefore increase cleaning costs slightly. Data were also collected during the years 1953–71 at Avondale, Newfoundland. These show a great variation between years in the maturity date of the fruit, but 80% are usually ripe in that province by mid-September.