Effects of mulching blueberry plants with cranberry fruits and leaves on yield, nutrient uptake and weed suppression

• Published in: Compost science & utilization Vol. 16; no. 4; pp. 220 - 227
• Main Authors: Krogmann, U, Rogers, B.F, Kumudini, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Emmaus, PA Taylor & Francis 01.09.2008; JG Press; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; blueberries; carbon nitrogen ratio; chemical composition; chemical constituents of plants; Chemicals; cranberries; Crop rotation; crop yield; electrical conductivity; Environmental protection; Exact sciences and technology; Federal regulation; foliar uptake; fruits (plant anatomy); Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; leaves; Moisture content; mulches; mulching; Municipal solid waste; nitrogen; nutrient uptake; nutrients; organic wastes; Other nutrients. Amendments. Solid and liquid wastes. Sludges and slurries; Pollution; soil chemistry; soil pH; soil water content; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments; Soils; species diversity; Vaccinium corymbosum; Vaccinium macrocarpon; Wastes; Watershed management; weed control; weeds; Compost; Weed control; Small fruits; Blueberry; Waste reuse; Plant leaf; Yield; Mulching; Nutrient uptake
• DOI: 10.1080/1065657X.2008.10702383
• ISSN: 1065-657X

Integration of local organic wastes as mulches into farm production can provide waste management options and an alternative to landfilling. In 2000, cranberry growers needed ways to dispose of excess cranberries caused by overproduction and a federal regulation limiting the fruit's marketable production. This study examined the use of excess cranberry fruits and leaves as mulches on established blueberry plants. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of these novel mulches on established blueberry plant nutrient uptake, fruit yield, selected soil chemical properties and weed suppression. A randomized block design was set up and maintained for two years with four different mulch treatments (no mulch, 5.1cm cranberry fruit, 10.2-cm cranberry fruit and 10.2-cm cranberry leaves). Leaf tissue nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, S, B, Al), fruit yield and average fruit size, selected soil properties, weed biomass and number of weed types were determined. In the second year, the fruit yield in the mulched treatments was lower than in the control (P<0.05), but not the fruit size. One possible reason is a significant decrease in leaf nitrogen uptake observed in some mulch plots. Weed biomass was significantly reduced along with species diversity. This study shows that novel mulches need to be carefully evaluated before being used due to their potential environmental and plant impacts.