Evaluating field inputs for productivity and profitability in wild blueberry fields in Maine
Year: 2014
Type: article
Abstract: The goal of the project was to provide growers with information on how different management systems affect the crop, its environment and the ecological and economical sustainability of wild blueberry production. A critical issue affecting growers is how to optimize increasingly expensive inputs to achieve economically and environmentally sustainable yields. We conducted a multi-disciplinary large-scale study of four cropping input systems consisting of Organic, Low input, Medium input and High input that provided diverse gradients of capital inputs and potential environmental effects to quantify system effects on yield, fruit quality, pest communities, the environment, and economic effects of inputs. In the 2010 to 2012 cycle, the cropping systems were applied to two fields (n=8 fields), and this was expanded to have each of the cropping systems applied to an additional four fields (n=16 fields) in 2011 to 2013. This paper will discuss the fertility and weed aspects of the study. Leaf and soil samples were taken in the non-bearing years, and weeds and blueberry were evaluated in June and July. There was large variation on variables measured between years and among locations. Leaf nutrient levels were highest at the High input sites with N, P and B much higher and on the Organic input sites leaf nutrient levels for N and P were deficient but Ca was higher. Weed cover was highest in Organic and Low input systems. Yields were highest in the High input system, but with higher costs it was not the most profitable. Data from both years verify trends that the Medium input system was the most profitable. The Low input system was not profitable on most sites. Organic yields were lowest but with higher fruit value were profitable.
DOI: 10.7282/t3sq9215
Authors: Yarborough, David, Cote, Jennifer
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2345408688