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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #136114
Title: INDUSTRIAL AND MUNICIPAL BY-PRODUCTS AS SOIL SUPPLEMENTS AFFECT BLUEBERRY FRUIT QUALITY

Author
item Wang, Shiow
item ZHANG, ZEI - ZHEJIANG UNIV
item Black, Brent
item ZIMMERMAN, R - MISC

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/19/2002
Publication Date: 8/19/2002
Citation: Wang, S.Y., Zhang, Z., Black, B.L., Zimmerman, R. 2002. Industrial and municipal by-products as soil supplements affect blueberry fruit quality . Meeting Abstract.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The effect of industrial and municipal by-products as constituents in soil-free media and as soil supplements on fruit quality of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) were evaluated in this study. These by-products include coal ash, composted sewage and leaf compost. Combinations of ash and compost were compared to Berryland sand (alone) and Manor clay loam (alone and compost amended). Coal ash or composted sewage and leaf compost in the media decreased fruit soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acid (TA), sugar (fructose and glucose) and organic acid (malic, citric acid, and quinic acid) and increased ratios of SSC to TA in two blueberry cultivars (`Bluecrop' and `Sierra'). Fruits from plants grown in Manor clay loam soil amended with compost or coal ash/compost treatments showed increased ascorbic acid, anthocyanins, total phenolics, flavonoids content and antioxidant activities. A linear relationship existed between antioxidant activities and total phenolic content, anthocyanins, and ascorbic acid content in fruit of two blueberry cultivars (`Bluecrop' and `Sierra' ). Overall `Bluecrop' had higher sugar, SSC/TA ratio, flavonoids content and antioxidant activity compare to `Sierra'. These data indicate that a combination of coal ash and compost provides an excellent substrate for growing highbush blueberry fruit with high antioxidant capacity.