A lysimeter study directed at nutrient uptake by the acid‐tolerant lowbush blueberry

Abstract

Concrete lysimeters were filled with a Hebert sandy loam (pH 5.2, 1.5% Organic Carbon) and 5 rooted cuttings of either Augusta (ME3) or Chignecto (508) lowbush blueberries (Vaccininm angnst‐ifolium Ait.) were planted into each lysimeter in July, 1982. Fertility treatments were applied annually (1983–1985) in 3 replicates for each of the 2 clones. Amendments were Control, Fertilizer (500 kg/ha of 10–10–10), Dairy Manure and Green Manure; the manures were applied at the equivalent of 50 kg N/ha. Leach‐ates were collected from spring to late fall 1983–1985. Leachates and stem, leaf and root tissue samples were collected and analysed for macro‐ and micronutrients. Soil samples from two depths were collected and extracted for available macronutrients, pH and OC. There were significant differences throughout the plant in the tissue nutrient content between cultivars due to treatments. A consistent observation was the reduced level of Mg and increased level of Mn in plants treated with Fertilizer, which related to the lower soil pH induced by the Fertilizer. Soil fertility characteristics varied between treatments and the soil sampling depth. Soil fertility was a reflection of the nutrient content of the amendments applied over the three year period.

Key words:

• Dairy manure
• Fertilizer
• Green manure
• Lowbush blueberry
• Soil fertility
• Tissue analysis