ARS | Publication request: Southern Highbush Establishment Cultural Studies on Sandy Loam Soils

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 7, 2008
Publication Date: July 21, 2008
Citation: Marshall, D.A., Spiers, J.M. 2008. Southern Highbush Establishment Cultural Studies on Sandy Loam Soils. HortScience 43(4) 2008. p.1292.

Technical Abstract: Cultural practices to establish southern highbush blueberries were initiated in 2002 and 2003 in Stone County research plots of hte Thad Cochran Southern Horticultural Laboratory. Studies were initiated to examine different cultural practices on sandy loam soils. Southern highbush plants preferred organic matter added into the planting hole before planting. Neither bed height nor mulch affected plant vigor. The amount of organic matter did not affect the plant vigor in the first year, but did affect the vigor in the following year. Southern highbush plants in Stone County, MS grew better in 4.4 liters of pine bark mixed into the soil in a 1.2-m-long row than in 70.4 liters.