SPUNBONDED FABRIC COVERS ALTER EARLY SEASON GROWTH AND FRUIT SET IN CRANBERRY

• Published in: HortScience Vol. 25; no. 9; p. 1105
• Main Authors: Stang, Elden J, Klueh, John
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.09.1990
• ISSN: 0018-5345; 2327-9834
• DOI: 10.21273/HORTSCI.25.9.1105c

Spunbonded polypropylene fabric covers were applied over mature `Searles' cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait. in the field during dormancy in 1989. Covers were selectively removed at 3 week intervals in April, May and early June after onset of growth. Plant canopy air temperatures under fabric were 5 to 6C higher than in exposed controls. Temperature differences up to 17C were measured in early June. Soil temperatures did not differ from the control until late May. Earlier greening of leaf tissue resulted in increased photosynthetic rates earlier in the growing season under fabric covers. Subsequent shoot dry weight was increased 5%; leaf size was not affected. A trend to increased fruit set (4 to 6%) with fabric cover treatments was observed when covers were applied for 6 or 9 weeks. Total fruit yield and anthocyanin content were not appreciably influenced by fabric covers.