Project Number: 5358-21000-042-12
Project Type: Grant

Start Date: Sep 10, 2012
End Date: Sep 30, 2013

Objective:
Determine the long-term impact of pre-plant incorporation of sawdust and surface sawdust mulch and nitrogen fertilizer rate on yield, fruit size, fruit firmness, soil nutrient status, soil properties, and soil microbiology in a well established planting of Elliott.

Approach:
We established a new planting of ‘Elliott’ blueberry at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center (NWREC) in October, 2003 on a site not previously planted to blueberries. The soil pH prior to planting was 5.4. At the end of the study, representative plants per plot will be removed and divided into their various components to assess treatment effects on nutrient status, partitioning, with nutrient budgeting done per acre. Data will be presented on all variables measured by year and cumulative yield with impacts of sawdust incorporation at planting, mulching, and N rate on soil biology and yield and quality parameters.