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Title: PRELIMINARY YIELDS OF SOUTHERN HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY IN WAIMEA, HAWAII

Author
item Zee, Francis
item Hummer, Kim
item NISHIJIMA, WAYNE - U.H. CTAHR
item Kai, Russell
item Strauss, Amy
item YAMASAKI, MILTON - U.H. CTAHR
item HAMASAKI, RANDY - U.H. CTAHR

Submitted to: Extension Service Bulletins
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/20/2006
Publication Date: 2/20/2006
Citation: Zee, F., Hummer, K., Nishimima, W., Kai, R., Strauss, A., Yamasaki, M., Hamasaki, R., 2006. Preliminary Yields of Southern Highbush Blueberry in Waimea, Hawaii, Cooperative Extension Service Bulletin F&N 12, pp 1-8

Interpretive Summary: Blueberries are a potential, high value, niche market crop for Hawaii. In this publication, we are reporting what we did to establish a small plot of southern highbush blueberries at the University of Hawaii, CTAHR, Mealani Agricultural Experiment Station, Hawaii. Information includes plot establishment, fertilizer practices, and yield of six varieties as we observed and adapted during a trial between October 2004 and September 2005. Four of the six Southern highbush blueberry varieties ‘Biloxi’, ‘Emerald’, ‘Sharpblue’ and ‘Sapphire’ grew well and produced quantities of quality berries at the Mealani Agricultural Experiment Station. ‘Jewel’ was the least promising variety. ‘Sharpblue’ had the sweetest fruit, but all varieties were well received when harvested at proper ripeness. Fruits from ‘Emerald’ and ‘Misty’ were most impressive with large size and good firmness, and have the potential to capture a very high value market.

Technical Abstract: Six varieties of southern highbush blueberries were evaluated by the Pacific Basin Tropical Plant Genetic Resources Management unit in cooperation with the National Clonal Germplasm Repository, Corvallis, OR, and the University of Hawaii, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. Plants planted in April 2004 produced fruit in October. Between October 2004 and September 2005, the harvest weight of 'Sapphire' was 21.6 lbs., 'Biloxi' was 21.5 lbs., 'Emerald' was 20.8 lbs., 'Sharpblue' was 19.1 lbs., 'Misty' was 9.9 lbs., and 'Jewel' was 9.31 lbs. Fruit quality observations taken in May, August and September 2005 showed generally the highest BRIX averages occured in May with 'Sharpblue' 14.92. Bird damage and fertilizer management were the major issues during the first year. More observations will be collected, but these preliminary results are showing this crop has good potential for Hawaii.