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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Poplarville, Mississippi » Southern Horticultural Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #140099
Title: INCIDENCE OF SPLITTING IN 'PREMIER' AND 'TIFBLUE' RABBITEYE BLUEBERRIES

Author
item Shaw, Donna
item Spiers, James
item CURRY, K - UNIV OF SOUTHERN MS

Submitted to: Acta Horticulturae International Symposium on Vaccinium Culture
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2001
Publication Date: 4/1/2002
Citation: Marshall, D.A., Spiers, J.M., Curry, K.J. 2002. Incidence of splitting in 'premier' and 'tifblue' rabbiteye blueberries. Acta Horticulturae 574 p.295-303. International Symposium on Vaccinium Culture.

Interpretive Summary: Fruit splitting in rabbiteye blueberries was increased by rain but not irrigation water. Splitting was not related to fruit sugar content or acid concentrations. These results plus further studies should benefit research scientists by providing information of the incidence of splitting and possible causes.

Technical Abstract: Berry splitting, resulting in poor fruit quality, often occurs in rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium ashea Reade) after a significant rainfall, even in plants which were irrigated. This splitting appears to vary between cultivars. To stimulate an excessive rainfall, 'Tifblue' (known to be susceptible cracking after a rain, (Austin, 1994)) and 'Premier' (considered less susceptible) plants were subjected to varying soil moisture levels. In addition, harvested and unharvested fruit were soaked in water with varying concentrations of salts. This study correlates the occurance of splitting to fruit quality measurements such as soluble solid content, total solids, titratable acidity, pH, and force to split an intact berry.