Influence of Kaolin Clay Applications on Blueberry Yields during Low-Chill Seasons in West-Central...

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Influence of Kaolin Clay Applications on Blueberry Yields during Low-Chill Seasons in West-Central Florida Bielinski M. Santos Gulf Coast Research and Education Center IFAS, University of Florida

Transcript of Influence of Kaolin Clay Applications on Blueberry Yields during Low-Chill Seasons in West-Central...

Page 1: Influence of Kaolin Clay Applications on Blueberry Yields during Low-Chill Seasons in West-Central Florida Bielinski M. Santos Gulf Coast Research and.

Influence of Kaolin Clay Applications on Blueberry

Yields during Low-Chill Seasons in West-Central

FloridaBielinski M. Santos

Gulf Coast Research and Education CenterIFAS, University of Florida

Page 2: Influence of Kaolin Clay Applications on Blueberry Yields during Low-Chill Seasons in West-Central Florida Bielinski M. Santos Gulf Coast Research and.

Crop Protectants

Reduce transpiration and sun scalding.

Based on calcium carbonate, kaolin clay or wax.

Surround WP.

Degradable.

Page 3: Influence of Kaolin Clay Applications on Blueberry Yields during Low-Chill Seasons in West-Central Florida Bielinski M. Santos Gulf Coast Research and.

Previous Studies with Kaolin

Page 4: Influence of Kaolin Clay Applications on Blueberry Yields during Low-Chill Seasons in West-Central Florida Bielinski M. Santos Gulf Coast Research and.

a b b c a a b

Page 5: Influence of Kaolin Clay Applications on Blueberry Yields during Low-Chill Seasons in West-Central Florida Bielinski M. Santos Gulf Coast Research and.

Control 8 d + kaolin 6 d + kaolin 4 d + kaolin0

1

2

3

4

Early Fruit Weight (ton/acre)

a a a b

Page 6: Influence of Kaolin Clay Applications on Blueberry Yields during Low-Chill Seasons in West-Central Florida Bielinski M. Santos Gulf Coast Research and.

Why Surround and Blueberries?

Previous study: Kaolin clay application reduced bud temperatures.

What happens during low-chilling winters?

Would kaolin increase the number of chilling hours?

Page 7: Influence of Kaolin Clay Applications on Blueberry Yields during Low-Chill Seasons in West-Central Florida Bielinski M. Santos Gulf Coast Research and.

Objective

Determine effects of foliar application programs of kaolin clay on the marketable yield of southern highbush blueberries.

Page 8: Influence of Kaolin Clay Applications on Blueberry Yields during Low-Chill Seasons in West-Central Florida Bielinski M. Santos Gulf Coast Research and.

Materials and Methods

Two-year study: 2011-12 & 2012-13.

Gulf Coast REC, Balm, Florida.

3-year-old ‘Jewel’ (1500 plants/acre).

Pine bark beds.

No hydrogen cyanamide.

Page 9: Influence of Kaolin Clay Applications on Blueberry Yields during Low-Chill Seasons in West-Central Florida Bielinski M. Santos Gulf Coast Research and.

Materials and Methods

Surround (25 lb/acre).

Regular sprayer (100 gal/acre of water).

Non-treated, Weekly

applications,Biweekly

applications.

Page 10: Influence of Kaolin Clay Applications on Blueberry Yields during Low-Chill Seasons in West-Central Florida Bielinski M. Santos Gulf Coast Research and.

Materials and Methods

Application from Sept. 15 to Dec. 15.

Eight harvests starting in early March.

Early and total fruit weights.

160 h ≤45oF between Sept. 1 and March 1 of each season.

Page 11: Influence of Kaolin Clay Applications on Blueberry Yields during Low-Chill Seasons in West-Central Florida Bielinski M. Santos Gulf Coast Research and.

Bud Minimum Temp. 2011 (oF)

Treatment

OctoberNovemb

erDecemb

er

None 48 44 35

Weekly 42 39 33

Biweekly

47 43 35

Page 12: Influence of Kaolin Clay Applications on Blueberry Yields during Low-Chill Seasons in West-Central Florida Bielinski M. Santos Gulf Coast Research and.

Bud Minimum Temp. 2012 (oF)

Treatment

OctoberNovemb

erDecemb

er

None 45 40 36

Weekly 41 36 33

Biweekly

45 39 35

Page 13: Influence of Kaolin Clay Applications on Blueberry Yields during Low-Chill Seasons in West-Central Florida Bielinski M. Santos Gulf Coast Research and.

Treatment Early Totalton/acre

None 1.30 b 2.16Weekly 1.68 a 2.47

Biweekly 1.31 b 2.20Significanc

e * NS

Page 14: Influence of Kaolin Clay Applications on Blueberry Yields during Low-Chill Seasons in West-Central Florida Bielinski M. Santos Gulf Coast Research and.

Summary

Surround seems to decrease bud temperatures.

Weekly applications (6 to 8) of Surround improved early yield (+29%).

More research needed in large fields.

What about regular winters?

Page 15: Influence of Kaolin Clay Applications on Blueberry Yields during Low-Chill Seasons in West-Central Florida Bielinski M. Santos Gulf Coast Research and.

Thanks!bmsantos@ufl.

edu813-468-6322