China Blueberry Planting Base。
The blueberry fruit is rich in nutrients, especially rich in anthocyanins. It not only has good nutrition and health effects, but also has the functions of preventing cranial nerve aging, strengthening the heart, anti-cancer, softening blood vessels, and enhancing human immunity. The earliest blueberry cultivation country is the United States, but it hasn’t reached a hundred years of cultivation history. Because of its high health value, it is popular all over the world. It is one of the five healthy fruits recommended by the World Food and Agriculture Organization.
Blueberry is a wild berry belonging to the genus Vaccinium in the Rhododendron family. Its flesh is sweet and sour and has very rich nutritional value. It is rich in vitamins, trace elements, various amino acids and plant alkaloids, etc.
Species name: Bilberry Latin name: Semen Trigonellae English name: Blueberry
Family and genus classification: Ericaceae (Ericaceae) Vaccinium spp.
Producing area distribution: There are more than 400 species of cranberries distributed all over the world. The name of blueberry comes from the English blueberry, which means blue berry. Original and mainly produced in the United States, it is also called American blueberry.
Morphological characteristics: The average weight of the blueberry fruit is 0.5～2.5g, and the maximum weight is 5g. The fruit has a beautiful, pleasing, blue color and is covered with a layer of white fruit powder. Good for fresh food.
The principles and basis for the division of the cultivation areas of rabbit-eye blueberry and southern highbush blueberry in my country
Rabbit-eye blueberry and Nangaobush blueberry are suitable for planting in most areas of the Yangtze River basin in my country, and there are many varieties.
1. The northern boundary of rabbit-eye blueberry and southern highbush blueberry is divided according to the 0 ℃ line of the average temperature in January. As some varieties of rabbit-eye blueberry and southern highbush blueberry encounter low temperature below -10 ℃ during overwintering, freezing damage will occur, and low temperatures below -10 ℃ rarely occur near the 0 ℃ line. The northward direction of this line may cause freezing damage to some varieties or poor growth due to insufficient accumulated temperature. However, some southern highbush blueberries that contain more genes for northern highbush blueberries can move northward. For example, the planting area of South Highbush blueberries is even the same as that of North Highbush blueberries.
2. The southern boundary of rabbit-eye blueberry planting is divided by 300 hours of cold required (accumulated time from 0 to 7.2 ℃ throughout the year), because the variety of rabbit-eye blueberry that requires the least amount of cold also takes 300 hours, and it can be near this line. Plant varieties that require less cold. Similarly, the southern boundary of the planting of southern highbush blueberries is divided by 150 hours of cold demand (accumulative time from 0 to 7.2 ℃ throughout the year). Some varieties of southern highbush blueberries require less cold demand, and some only have About 100 hours. Therefore, some varieties of Southern Highbush Blueberry can be planted in most areas of Guangdong and the north-central part of Guangxi.
blueberry
blueberry
The Yangtze River Basin and Jiangnan area belong to the natural acid soil area, with sufficient sunlight, abundant rainfall, and four distinct seasons. It is one of the best areas in my country for the development of rabbit-eye blueberries and southern highbush blueberries. This area can meet the two basic conditions necessary for the growth of blueberries. One is that it requires acidic soil (pH 3.8-5.5), and the other is that the accumulation of low temperature time below 7.2 degrees in winter requires 500-800 hours. At the same time, good blueberry growth must meet the following conditions: soil organic matter content ≥3%; soil is loose and moist, fertile sandy loam is the best; there is no accumulation of water, but sufficient irrigation conditions and facilities are required.
1. Site selection
Blueberry is a shallow-rooted, acid-loving and light-loving plant. According to the climatic zone and local climatic conditions of the introduction site, the use of blueberry fruit should be considered comprehensively, and the correct blueberry variety should be selected; and then the appropriate choice should be based on the measured soil acidity and organic matter content. Planting plots.
1. When choosing a plot for planting, first measure the acidity of the soil, and the pH should be between 3.8 and 5.5.
2. Choose places with loose soil, rich organic matter and good irrigation and drainage conditions as much as possible. If it is mountainous, try to choose the middle and lower part of the sun slope. The slope should not exceed 30°. When the slope is large, terraces with a width of 2 to 3M should be built.
3. The best site types are barren hills and slopes and low-yield masson pine forest land. Slope land can also be converted to farmland. However, the planting survival rate of reclaimed farmland is not as high as that of pine forest conversion land, and there are more diseases, insect pests and weeds than pine forest conversion forest land, which increases production and management costs.
4. In terms of management, the area of the park is 200-300 acres as a moderate scale, and stable irrigation water sources must be established. In mountainous areas, dams can be built to store water, low hills should be built with ridge reservoirs, and pumped wells and irrigation pipes can also be built.
2. Variety configuration
Rabbit’s eye and southern highbush blueberries require less coldness, are resistant to high temperature and drought, and are resistant to pH values. They are suitable for large-scale planting along the Yangtze River and the south of the Yangtze River. Southern highbush blueberries are mainly used for fresh food, and rabbit-eye blueberries should be selected for the production and processing of fruit.
The northern high-bush, semi-high-bush and low-bush blueberries require large amounts of cold and temperature, and cannot tolerate high temperature and drought in summer, so they are not suitable for large-scale planting. Some characteristic varieties can be used as bonsai plants.
1. Variety configuration
Cross-pollination is one of the important factors to increase the yield and fruit size of blueberries. High-bush blueberries have a high self-flowering rate, while most varieties of rabbit-eye blueberries have very low self-flowering or lack of fruit. Cross-pollination can increase the fruit setting rate of highbush blueberries from 67% to 82%, and increase the rabbit eye blueberries from 18% by 47%. Therefore, in the blueberry plantation garden, at least two varieties must be configured for mutual pollination to improve yield and quality. The allocation ratio of pollination trees is generally 2-5:1, that is, 2-5 rows of main planted varieties and 1 row of pollinated varieties. In large-scale production, it is sufficient to cultivate two varieties per plot.
2. Variety selection
According to the large-scale cultivation experience of blueberries at home and abroad and the results of regional trials of varieties in this province, the main excellent blueberry varieties suitable for large-scale planting in Dabie Mountains, along the Yangtze River and Jiangnan include:
Southern highbush blueberry varieties: O’Neill, Sharp Blue, Misty, Gems of Georgia, Southern Star.
Rabbit-eye blueberry varieties: Brilliant, Dingfeng, Jietu, Baldwin, Garden Blue, Tiffany Blue, Country Bell.
3. Specification and quality
Seedling specifications: 2-3 year-old container seedlings with a plant height of 60cm, a stem thickness of 0.5cm, and two or more branches are better, and the survival rate of transplanting with soil is high. Annual seedlings should not be planted on the ground and must be cultivated in a nursery for one year. The cost of large seedlings older than 4 years is higher.
Quality requirements: accurate varieties and robust seedlings. Large-scale planting must avoid messy seedlings.
3. Land preparation and planting
1. Site preparation
Leveling the land, trimming ditches, and excavating planting holes (ditches) before planting are called land preparation. If it is a woodland transformation, an excavator must be used to plow the entire garden. If there are too many weeds in the garden, use herbicides such as paraquat and spray herbicides. It should be one year in advance. The size of the planting hole is 0.5～1.0m (length)×0.5～1.0m (width)×0.5m (depth). Planting high-bush blueberries can appropriately reduce the site preparation specifications, and appropriately increase the site preparation specifications for rabbit-eye blueberries.
2. Planting density
The best row spacing of southern highbush blueberries is 1.0～1.5m×2.0～3.0m; rabbit eye blueberries can choose 1.5m～2m×2～3m. In foreign countries, the actual cultivation density often depends on the degree of mechanization. my country generally chooses an appropriate density based on actual business objectives.
3. Planting time
Blueberry can be planted in spring, autumn and winter. The best planting is in autumn and winter (October to December) in the Yangtze River and Jiangnan regions, followed by January to March. Planting in autumn is conducive to the recovery growth of blueberry seedling roots. The spring grows fast in the second year and can be put into production in the next year. The seedlings planted in spring have to go through a certain slow seedling period, and the temperature rises too fast in spring, which is not good for the growth of seedlings.
4. Colonization method
After the planting hole is dug, mix the removed soil with ground pine bark and peat or humus under the pine forest, etc., mix it with farm manure or cake fertilizer and backfill it into the hole. The amount of base fertilizer depends on the planting hole and seedling specifications Depending on the size, generally 0.5 kg of cake fertilizer, 1 kg of farmyard manure or about 5 kg of soil manure, add 50g of organic compound fertilizer to the hole and mix it with the soil. In the case of insufficient soil acidity, you can mix in an appropriate amount of ferrous sulfate or sulfur powder, and adjust the acidity with sulfur powder at least half a year before planting. The mountains and hills of the Yangtze River Basin generally have soil organic matter content ≤1%. For orchards with insufficient organic matter, acid peat can be mixed into the planting hole at a dosage of 2-5L/plant. Mix it with the garden soil and backfill it. Note that the backfill must be high 10-15cm above the ground is appropriate. Soak the roots of the saplings in water for 12 to 24 hours before planting to keep enough water in the saplings. Before planting the nutrient pot seedlings, the pine roots must be removed, and the root system must be stretched and must not directly touch the base fertilizer. The backfill should be compacted lightly, and the soil layer is basically level or slightly higher than the rhizome. After planting, sufficient root water must be poured in time, and 2cm of evacuated topsoil shall be covered when the seedlings are supported the next day. Where conditions permit, water can be re-watered after 2 to 3 days. In order to shorten the slow seedling period and increase the survival rate, it is necessary to water frequently, water less, and keep the soil moist. Where conditions permit, drip irrigation facilities are recommended. In low-lying land or places where rainwater is concentrated, ridges should be cultivated or planted and then water diversion ditches should be excavated.
4. Production management technology
1. Fertilization
The demand for fertilizers for blueberries is very low. When the soil acidity is satisfied, generally only a small amount of N fertilizer is needed. Other fertilizers can also be applied according to the analysis of the leaves or the symptoms of nutrient deficiency. But pay special attention to blueberries, which are calcium-susceptible plants and have the ability to quickly absorb and accumulate calcium. When planted on calcareous soil, excessive calcium absorption can lead to iron deficiency, chlorosis or death. From the nutritional analysis of the whole tree, blueberry is an oligotrophic plant. Compared with other fruit trees, the content of N, P, K, Mg, and Ca in the tree is very low. Therefore, it is advisable to apply less frequently. Excessive fertilization will often lead to excessive fertilizer and damage the tree body and affect the yield. Blueberry is a tree species that prefers ammonium nitrogen. Therefore, nitrate N should be prohibited when applying N, because nitrate N is harmful to blueberries, especially NaNO3; when the pH is below 5.0, urea is better, and in a more acidic environment When the pH is higher than 5.0, (NH4)2SO4 is preferred. In actual applications, it depends on the soil pH. When applying K fertilizer, do not use KC1, because C1 is harmful to blueberries, so K2SO4 can be used. In production, organic fertilizer and farmyard manure, such as pig and cow manure, should be used as much as possible. You can also sow green manure, such as white clover, alfalfa, etc.
Fertilization time: In autumn and winter, the base fertilizer is mainly organic fertilizer, such as farmyard manure, cake fertilizer, etc., which is decomposed and used. Spring top dressing, such as slow-release fertilizer, can be used before and after the flowers bloom; autumn top dressing can be applied to a small amount of sulfate fertilizer, such as potassium sulfate type ternary compound fertilizer, after the fruit is picked to early September.
Fertilization methods: point application, furrow application, and spreading. In the southern mountainous areas, it is generally advisable to use furrows, which can effectively reduce the loss of fertilizer and water. When applying chemical fertilizer, the ditch width is 20-25cm, and the ditch depth is 10-15cm; when applying farmyard manure or pressing green in autumn and winter, the ditch width is 30-35cm and the ditch depth is 35-40cm. The green manure is buried in the soil by digging and pressing the green manure.
2. Weed control, soil management
Using herbicides to kill weeds is a cost-effective way to eliminate weeds, but almost all chemical herbicides cause phytotoxicity to blueberry plants or roots. Within three years after planting, young blueberry trees are extremely vulnerable to weeds, and the blueberry root system is underdeveloped, mainly fibrous roots. Almost all herbicides have greater phytotoxicity. Therefore, artificial shallow tillage is better for weeding during the seedling stage. Dwarf legumes can be planted between rows, which is conducive to grass control and fertilizer increase.
The use of organic residues of plants for ground cover in production is a good management method to control weeds in blueberry gardens. The garden can be covered with crushed pine bark, pine needles, moss, and litter. In areas with many pine trees, dead pine needles are a good ground cover. Ground cover has many benefits: it helps maintain soil moisture and protects the root system; it helps maintain soil pH at a low level; it can increase soil organic matter and fertility, reduce nutrient deficiency, promote growth and increase production; it has a good effect on preventing weeds. In addition, mulching can also make blueberries successfully cultivated on relatively dry high-sloping mineral soils. Some people use polypropylene plastic film to cover the ground, which also achieves better soil moisturizing and weed prevention effects, but other aspects are not as good as plant residues. body. Seasonal intercropping of low crops between rows also has a good effect, can increase the content of soil organic matter, and has a better effect of preventing weeds between rows. The effect is particularly prominent when applied to heavy soils. The most effective measure is to use herbicides to kill weeds before planting, and to sow green manure, such as white clover, red clover and other legumes, after planting. Where conditions permit, it is recommended to use weeding cloth to cover the new gardens and sapling gardens. Controlling weeds, maintaining acidity, and increasing organic matter content are the key points for successful blueberry cultivation in the Yangtze River Basin.
3. Irrigation
Adequate moisture is an important condition for new blueberry gardens to increase the survival rate of colonization and biological growth, and it is also an indispensable guarantee for the production of high-quality blueberries. From germination to deciduous leaves, the water required by blueberries is equivalent to an average weekly precipitation of 25mm, and from fruit setting to fruit harvesting is 40mm. In normal years, the annual rainfall in the hills along the Yangtze River and the south of the Yangtze River can meet the normal growth requirements of blueberries, but the seasonal distribution is uneven, especially during the fruit expansion period, which will greatly reduce the yield. Therefore, the establishment of self-provided water sources and basic irrigation facilities Newly built blueberry gardens are indispensable, and drip irrigation or sprinkler irrigation is recommended where conditions permit.
4. Plastic and pruning
Plastic pruning of fruit trees is to regulate the contradiction between reproductive growth and vegetative growth, solve the problem of ventilation and light transmission, and reduce pests and diseases, so as to achieve the purpose of high yield, high quality and high efficiency. Blueberry is a perennial clump shrub, and its plastic pruning is different from that of large fruit trees. In addition, the pruning methods of tall blueberries and rabbit-eye blueberries are also different, and they must be treated differently.
The main task of pruning highbush blueberries is to adjust the fruiting potential of the current year and the next year. Shaping and pruning of young trees is mainly to maintain the balance between the above ground and underground, and promote the formation of the crown as soon as possible. Generally, in the first 1-2 years after planting, the main purpose is to remove the flower buds, the purpose is to promote the growth of the root system, expand the crown, and increase the number of branches; in the third year, pruning mainly removes the weak twigs, diseased and insect branches at the base, and keeps the crown upright for results. After the fruit leaves the ground, the plant yield in the third year is controlled at about 1kg. Generally, the amount of pruning is not large before the 3 to 4 years of colonization. For mature trees, we must focus on the quality and quantity of harvest. For erect varieties, thin the branches in the center of the crown to open the crown; for open varieties, cut the lower radial branches and re-cut weak branches to promote the formation of strong branches and produce more leaves; thin weak branches, Keep strong and vigorous branches and short truncated fruit branches. According to the strength of the branches, retain 3 to 5 flower buds. Each fruiting branch must have enough leaves to meet the nutrients required for fruit growth and ensure the quality of the fruit. When the amount of flowers is large, it is necessary to thin the flowers and fruits, or even remove the entire inflorescence. When the tree begins to senescence, it needs to shrink again to renew the tree vigor.
The rabbit eye blueberry clusters are relatively tall and large and can withstand high yields, but the growth potential of different varieties is different. Therefore, pruning depends on the growth of the tree. For young trees, the weak branches in the lower part and the overcrowded branches in the middle of the crown are mainly removed. For mature trees, the main purpose is to prevent the crown from being too high and the bore from being too dense. Thinning out dense branches, thin branches, cross branches and diseased branches, the results of the main branch is more than 5 to 6 years old, it needs to be retracted and renewed.
5. Pest control
There are many types of blueberry pests in new planting areas, and diseases are rare, but no major harm has been reported in China. At this stage, the largest loss of blueberry harvest caused by birds. However, with the expansion of the cultivation scale and the increase of the cultivation time, the prevention and control of diseases and insect pests will become an important part of blueberry production management.
The main common diseases of blueberries are: powdery mildew, downy mildew, rigid fruit disease, stem rot disease. Sometimes, the blueberry tree lacks nutrients (lack of iron, potassium, magnesium and other trace elements) and causes the leaf discoloration to be mistaken as a disease. Different types and varieties of blueberries have obvious differences in disease resistance. The resistance of rabbit-eye blueberries is significantly better than that of highbush blueberries. Various diseases of blueberries can be controlled with sulphur or carbendazim and other fungicides during the production and management season.
Common pests in blueberry gardens mainly include: poisonous moths, spiny moths, large silkworm moths, scarabs (grubs), longhorn beetles, aphids, mites, fruit flies, stink bugs, branch worms, which damage leaves, fruits, branches and roots. Among them, leaf pests such as aphids, tussock moths, spiny moths, and silkworm moths can be controlled with insecticides such as “trichlorfon”, and they can also be used to trap adult insects at night; for branch pests such as longhorn beetles and heartworms After understanding its life history, you can spray the larvae with insecticides such as “matrine”; for fruit pests such as fruit flies and some long beetles, you can use sweet and sour liquid to trap and kill adults from May to July, especially in late April. Trapping the 1st to 2nd generation adults is a key control measure to reduce the damage during the fruit ripening period from July to August, and the effect is obvious.
For bird damage in blueberry orchards, a common method is to cover the whole orchard with anti-bird nets during the fruit maturity period. The prevention effect is very good, but the investment in facilities is relatively large. It is recommended to adopt it after the orchard enters the full fruit period. Physical and chemical methods are commonly used in foreign countries, such as noise repelling birds, electromagnetic repelling birds, etc., and raptors are also raised in blueberry gardens to drive birds.
Blueberry is an emerging fruit tree with a variety of unique health-care functions. Potted blueberry has many advantages such as flower viewing in spring, fruit tasting in summer, and foliage viewing in autumn. Moreover, blueberry is a shrub fruit tree, which is easy to trim into an ideal tree shape. With its white flowers, sweet and delicious blue-purple fruits, and flaming autumn leaves, potted blueberries will be popular among blueberry lovers and become an important product for people’s home greening and beautification.
1. Soil requirements. Blueberry likes acidic, loose, air-permeable, and organic-rich loam. Generally, the pH of the soil is 4.5-5.5, and the content of soil organic matter is generally 3%-2%. Household potted plants can buy common humus soil in flower markets, and add moss and grass charcoal. , Wood chips, rotten pine bark and other organic matter are mixed with the garden soil at a ratio of 1:1, and decomposed farmyard manure and pesticides for preventing underground pests can be added to the bottom of the flowerpot. Ferrous sulfate can be used to adjust the acidity, and attention should be paid to the application of acid fertilizers when fertilizing.
2. Tree species selection. Potted blueberry species can be selected from southern high bush, northern high bush and semi-high bush varieties. The rabbit-eye blueberry plant is tall and must be equipped with a pollinator to produce fruit. It can be planted in the garden, but it is not suitable for family potted plants. In addition, low-bush blueberries are only suitable for outdoor cultivation in the north.
3. Time for potting. Potted seedlings can be planted all year round. The best time is to buy them during the period from autumn to the next spring before budding. The seedlings in this period are easy to transport, and the management and planting are relatively simple. After planting, a small amount of flowering and a small amount of fruit can be achieved in the second year, and normal flowering and fruiting can be achieved in the third year, and the full fruit period is after the fifth year. If managed properly, the result period can be maintained for 30 years.
4. Container requirements. It is recommended to use well-ventilated earthenware basins or ceramic basins, not porcelain or plastic basins. Because blueberries have fibrous roots and shallow roots, there is no need to use large pots. Avoid deep pots. It is recommended to use 15 cm pots for small seedlings, 30 cm pots for finished plants, and large pots for small seedlings.
5. Climate temperature. Blueberries have a certain cold demand. Potted blueberries that are expected to bear fruit in the coming year must withstand low-temperature dormancy below 0-7.2 degrees Celsius for 300-1000 hours in winter. The lowest temperature tolerates varies depending on the variety. The summer high temperature in the Yangtze River Basin has different degrees of heat damage to the North High Bush and South High Bush blueberries, causing the dry shoots and death of the new shoots that year. When the temperature is higher than 35 degrees Celsius, it can be covered with shading nets.
6. Fertilization method. The principle of fertilization is: thin fertilizer and frequent application. As blueberry is an oligotrophic plant, compared with other fruit trees, the content of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium in the tree is very low. Excessive fertilization can easily cause damage to the blueberry tree and even the entire plant death. Therefore, the amount of fertilizer should be cautious. It depends on the fertility of the soil and the nutritional status of the tree. When blueberries are planted, the soil has been mixed with organic matter and base fertilizer. Blueberry fertilization mainly refers to topdressing. Potted blueberries mainly use decomposed cake fertilizer and long-lasting compound fertilizer, which is conducive to maintaining the taste and quality of blueberries. Two years before planting, try not to retain fruit, mainly for vegetative growth. The appropriate fertilizer is potassium sulfate type compound fertilizer, and the amount of fertilizer applied per plant should not exceed 30 grams. Blueberries should not be used with chlorine, calcium and nitric acid fertilizers.
7. Water management. Blueberry has a shallow root system and is more sensitive to lack of water. The pot soil should be kept moist without water accumulation. The soil moisture content is generally 70%. There are also differences in the different growing seasons of blueberries. During the vegetative growth stage, the most suitable water conditions can be maintained to promote plant strength, and the water supply must be appropriately reduced during the fruit development stage and before the fruit matures to prevent excessively fast vegetative growth from competing for nutrients with the fruit. After the fruit is harvested, the most suitable water supply is restored to promote vegetative growth. Reduce water supply from mid-autumn to late autumn to facilitate the dormant period in time. In order to maintain the acidity of the soil in the pot, pine needles or pine sawdust can be often mixed with ferrous sulfate or vinegar.
8. Prevention and control of diseases, pests and birds. Common leaf-eating pests harm the stems and leaves of blueberries, mainly including thorn moths (commonly known as scallops), scarabs and other leaf-eating pests, which are controlled by trichlorfon. The larvae grubs of scarabs (commonly known as ground silkworms) damage the underground rhizomes of blueberries, and can be used to prevent and control blueberry grubs and terbuthion. Blueberry diseases are less common, and carbendazim is generally used to spray for infections caused by bacteria. When the blueberry fruit is close to maturity, that is, when the fruit color changes from red to blue, birds like to peck and eat, and a bird-proof net can be set up.
9. Plastic pruning. The pruning period can be divided into winter pruning and summer pruning. Strictly speaking, it is dormancy pruning and growing season pruning. The saplings that have just been planted need to cut off flower buds and excessively weak branches. For strong branches, generally need to be cut to varying degrees. In the first growing season when the planting is alive, cut as little or no cut as possible in order to expand the crown and branches as quickly as possible. When pruning the young trees in the first three years in winter, the main thinning is to remove the weak branches, hanging branches, horizontal branches, cross branches, dense branches, and overlapping branches in the crown. The branches can be cut by light short cut Flower buds at the top. After budding in spring, some new shoots should be selectively erased as soon as possible to strengthen the growth potential of the remaining new shoots. After entering the fruit-bearing period, the size of the canopy has basically reached the requirements, and the further expansion of the canopy should be controlled, and limited space should be reserved for the more vigorous branches or branch groups. The principle of pruning is to remove the weak and stay strong: Weak branches, diseased branches, dead branches, cross branches, and overlapping branches should be thinned out.