ABSTRACT
A field planting of ‘Bluecrop’ highbush blueberry was established in spring of 1992 to evaluate the effects of various cultural practices on plant growth and mycorrhizal level. Treatments included mulch or no mulch, pre-plant amendment or no pre-plant amendment, and 4 levels of nitrogen fertilization (from 0 to 100 g/plant 152in year 2, and from 0–120 g/plant in year 3) arranged in a complete factorial experiment. After two years, interactions among the treatments characterized the plant’s responses. When no mulch was employed, increasing nitrogen level resulted in decreased mycorrhizal concentration in the roots. When plants were mulched, effects were inconsistent. Mulch and/or amendment increased plant growth and vigor. For plants with no mulch and no amendment, canopy volume and mycorrhizal concentration level decreased with increasing nitrogen. [Article copies available from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-342-9678.]
