Influence of liming and fertilization on lowbush blueberry in harvested peat field condition

The objectives of the study were to determine: (a) if the addition of lime reduces the peat soil acidity to a suitable level for lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) plant growth and yield formation; (b) if the fertilizer rates used create favourable conditions for plant growth on peat soil; and (c) if the nutrients uptake will be sufficient for the lowbush blueberry plant growth in changed soil conditions. The experiment was set up in early spring 2000 on the harvested peat field of the Tartu region, South Estonia (58° 22′N, 26° 43′E). The soil type on the experimental area is Fibric–Dystric Histosol. In the experiment the complex fertilizer and limestone powder were used. The use of a mineral fertilizer increased the growth of blueberry plants significantly. Liming reduced soil acidity but decreased blueberry vegetative growth and increased weed numbers. In the given experiment the strongest blueberry bushes developed with the pH_KCl level of 2.5–2.7. General recommendations are to fertilize lowbush blueberries on peat fields every year with a small amount of mineral fertilizer to secure stabile annual productivity of plants. In the plantations of lowbush blueberry on harvested peat fields one should be careful with the use of limestone.     

Effect of phosphite fertilization on growth,yield and fruit composition of strawberries

Traditionally, phosphates (Pi, salts of phosphoric acid, H₃PO₄) have been used for plant fertilization, and phosphites (Phi, salts of phosphorous acid, H₃PO₃) have been used as fungicides. Nowadays several Phi fertilizers are available in the EU market despite the fact that in research trials Phi has often had a negative influence on plant growth. The objective of this study was to elucidate the effect of a Phi fertilizer on plant growth, yield and fruit composition of strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.). Experiments were carried out with ‘Polka’ frigo plants in South Estonia in 2005 and 2006. The number of leaves per plant, total and marketable yields, fruit size, fruit ascorbic acid content (AAC), soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), anthocyanins (ACY) and total antioxidant activity (TAA) were recorded.