Project Number: 5358-21000-037-04
Project Type: Grant

Start Date: Sep 18, 2007
End Date: Sep 30, 2009

Objective:
1. Determine the concentration of nutrients (N, P, K, Mg, Ca, S, B, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe) in blueberry plant parts (roots, crown, 1-, 2-, and 3-year old wood and leaves) throughout the growing season and winter over two years. 2. Assess seasonal and yearly changes in plant part dry weight and nutrient concentrations to determine total nutrient uptake and partitioning. 3. Calculate daily nutrient uptake of blueberry to determine peak demand amount and time. 4. Determine the impact of nitrogen fertilization on the uptake and partitioning of other plant nutrients.

Approach:
A two-year project monitoring blueberry plant growth, influence of nitrogen rate on growth, and uptake and flow of nitrogen was done in mature `Bluecrop¿ in Oregon by Bañados (2006). We thus have data on the accumulation of N in roots, crown, 1-, 2-, and 3-year and older wood, shoots, leaves, flowers, and fruit. By analyzing the tissue samples collected from the nitrogen project (we kept these), we will be able to determine the concentration of other nutrients (Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, Sulfur, Calcium, Boron, Copper, Manganese, Iron, and Zinc) without the expense of collecting the samples. Using the dry weight data already collected, we can calculate nutrient uptake over two seasons. We will also calculate changes in whole plant nutrient levels and in plant parts to show partitioning of each nutrient through the two seasons. We have confidence that we can do this and provide useful information to growers to help them better manage fertilization of blueberry fields. Documents Grant with Oregon State. Formerly Change from 5358-21000-036-22G (6/2008).