ABSTRACT
To sustain maximum production, wild blueberry fields are regularly pruned (Chiasson and Argali, 1995), either by burning (Trevett, 1959) or mowing (Hanson et al., 1982; Ismail and Yarborough, 1981), in order to force the blueberry into a two year production cycle (Ismail and Yarborough, 1981). Burning, with a Woolery burner or with straw, is more expensive than the alternate method, mowing with a flail mower,
or with a rotary mower (Hanson et al., 1982; Mclsaac, 1999). Both methods provide equal pruning, and yields are similar where mowers follow the field contours and do not damage roots and rhizomes by knocking off the tops of hummocks (Ismail and Yarborough, 1979; 1984). Ismail et al. (1981) and DeGomez (1988) recommend that blueberry plants be pruned as close to the ground as possible, or to a height of 1 cm ( 1/2 inch). This practice has been followed by a number of managers and producers, but extensive damage to soils and plants has been noted, especially where fields have not been leveled. Producers have, therefore, varied mowing heights to accommodate uneven field terrain, and to allow for pruning with less damage to the soil surface. At the same time, however, there are concerns among producers that higher mowing heights might result in reduced yields, especially in areas where fruit buds are not removed by pruning.
