Fertilizer Regime and Weed Pressure Minimally Influence Leaf Tissue Nutrient Levels during Cranberry Vine Establishment

Abstract

Cranberry leaf tissue samples were analyzed annually over a 6-year period. Vines received varied nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates and were subjected to low or high weed pressure. With few exceptions, levels of N, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and boron (B) were sufficient during the 6-year period. Calcium and B concentrations in cranberry vines treated with low, medium, or high rates of N were greater in areas with high weed pressure than in areas of low weed pressure. Levels of Zn and Mn were higher and K was lower in tissue collected from high weed areas in 4 out of 6 years. Calcium, Mg, Zn, Mn, B, and Fe levels were negatively correlated with increasing N rate. Overall, application of various N rates did not adversely affect cranberry leaf tissue nutrient content during the first 6 years.

Keywords:

• Bed establishment
• leaf nutrient content
• new plantings
• nitrogen rate
• Vaccinium macrocarpon
• weed management

Acknowledgments

We are appreciative of the excellent technical assistance given by J. Mason, K. Demoranville, and D. Shumaker during the course of this project. Thanks to K. Patten and C. Worthington for comments on the manuscript. This research was supported in part by funding from Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., Lakeville-Middleboro, Mass.