FOLIAR NUTRIENTS IMPACT ON FRUIT QUALITY AND YIELD OF HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY

During 2003 – 2006 period at the Research Institute for Fruit Growing Pitesti an experiment with foliar nutrients in a 20-year old highbush blueberry plantation (2.8 m x 1.0 m spacing), has been organized. Two experimental factors were used: A – cultivar with a1-Blueray and a2- Bluecrop graduations and B – foliar treatments with the following graduations: b1 – Control (untreated); b2 - Kendal 0.25%; b3 - Megafol 0.3%; and b4 - Microfert U 1.0%. These products were yearly applied on the same plants. The experimental design was linear, with 10 bushes for each treatment in 3 replications. The sprays were manually applied using 2,000 l solution per ha, yearly, at the following moments: 1) before blooming, 2) at the end of blooming, 3) 14 days after the end of blooming and 4)14 days after the third moment. The following data were recorded: yield per bush, berry weight, fruit measurements, and color and berry chemical content (sugar, acidity, tannins, soluble solids, pH). The treatments had a good effect on yield and berry weight of both cultivars, showing significant differences versus the control. These treatments also induced more colored fruits. There were no significant differences between treatments regarding the chemical composition of Bluecrop cv. berries.