Richard A. DaleRichard A. DaleSmall Fruits SpecialistSmall Fruits SpecialistHighland Valley FarmHighland Valley FarmBayfield, WI, USABayfield, WI, USA

Producing Berries for the Producing Berries for the Fresh MarketFresh Market

An Introduction for KosovoAn Introduction for Kosovo

North American North American Highbush BlueberryHighbush Blueberry

A New Crop for EuropeA New Crop for Europe

Blueberry plant types in USABlueberry plant types in USA

• LowbushLowbush (V. Angustifolium) (V. Angustifolium) native native

• Half-HighbushHalf-Highbush hybridhybrid

• HIGHBUSHHIGHBUSH (V. Corymbosum) (V. Corymbosum) native native

• Southern Improved Highbush Southern Improved Highbush hybridhybrid

• Rabbiteye Rabbiteye (V. Ashei) (V. Ashei) nativenative

Blueberry Cultivars Blueberry Cultivars

for Kosovofor Kosovo• Half-Highbush Half-Highbush hybrid ?hybrid ?

– Possibly for high altitude cooler sitesPossibly for high altitude cooler sites– Patriot Patriot is a half-highbush hybridis a half-highbush hybrid

• HIGHBUSHHIGHBUSH (V. Corymbosum) (V. Corymbosum) nativenative

– BluecropBluecrop is proven is proven– Duke, Spartan, Reka and NuiDuke, Spartan, Reka and Nui look promising look promising

• Southern Improved HighbushSouthern Improved Highbush hybrid ?hybrid ?

– Climate of Serbia in the most promising Climate of Serbia in the most promising regions may be more similar to Arkansas than regions may be more similar to Arkansas than to Michiganto Michigan

– OzarkblueOzarkblue is being trialed is being trialed

Additional Cultivars Additional Cultivars that should be that should be trialed for Kosovotrialed for Kosovo

• ElliotElliot – Late season favorite of Michigan growersLate season favorite of Michigan growers– To extend season and for domestic marketsTo extend season and for domestic markets

• ChandlerChandler– Extremely large fancy berryExtremely large fancy berry– Early-midseasonEarly-midseason

• BluettaBluetta– A proven excellent early season fruitA proven excellent early season fruit

• EarliblueEarliblue– Another proven early season berryAnother proven early season berry

• O'NealO'Neal– Considered the earliest fruitingConsidered the earliest fruiting

southern highbushsouthern highbush• MistyMisty

– Another excellent early season Another excellent early season southern highbushsouthern highbush

ElliotElliot

EarliblueEarliblue

Site SelectionSite SelectionAppropriate climateAppropriate climateAccessibleAccessibleWell drained surface & soilWell drained surface & soilHumus >3%Humus >3%Low pH: 4.5 – 5.2Low pH: 4.5 – 5.2At least 1/2 day full sunAt least 1/2 day full sunIrrigation availableIrrigation available

Site PreparationSite Preparation

• Begin at least one year before plantingBegin at least one year before planting• Control perennial weeds with non-Control perennial weeds with non-

residual herbicides and repeated residual herbicides and repeated cultivationcultivation

• Soil testSoil test– Adjust pH per soil testAdjust pH per soil test– Add P & K fertilizer as per soil testAdd P & K fertilizer as per soil test

• Add organic matter if necessaryAdd organic matter if necessary• Improve drainageImprove drainage• Prepare irrigationPrepare irrigation

Remove blossom Remove blossom and green fruit at and green fruit at plantingplanting

2-year old container 2-year old container grown plants grown plants

Loosen roots

Planting SystemPlanting System• SpacingSpacing

– Plants: 1 – 1.2 m spacing in the row Plants: 1 – 1.2 m spacing in the row – Rows: 3m between rowsRows: 3m between rows

• Raised BedsRaised Beds– For improved drainage on heavier soilsFor improved drainage on heavier soils

• MulchMulch• IrrigationIrrigation

– Drip irrigation is bestDrip irrigation is best

1.2m between bushes1.2m between bushes x 3m between rowsx 3m between rows

3m3m

3m3m

1.21.2mm

1.21.2mm

1.21.2mm

1.21.2mm

1.21.2mm

33mm

33mm

MulchMulch• Mulches are desirable for:Mulches are desirable for:

– Retaining moistureRetaining moisture– Keeping soil surface coolKeeping soil surface cool– Protecting rootsProtecting roots– Reducing weedsReducing weeds– Increasing organic matterIncreasing organic matter

• Sawdust, shavings, bark, or clean strawSawdust, shavings, bark, or clean straw• Plant sod between rowsPlant sod between rows

– Non-creeping grassesNon-creeping grasses– Maintain with mowing. Do not allow to seedMaintain with mowing. Do not allow to seed

• Supplemental irrigation criticalSupplemental irrigation critical• Drip irrigation recommendedDrip irrigation recommended• Water sourceWater source

Flow rate and rechargeFlow rate and recharge pHpH QualityQuality

• Schedule 2.5 - 4 cm / weekSchedule 2.5 - 4 cm / week

IrrigationIrrigation

When berries are ready to pick…When berries are ready to pick…

Harvest should beHarvest should be• TimelyTimely

• DryDry

• CleanClean

• GentleGentle

Highbush Blueberries Highbush Blueberries are usually picked by hand for are usually picked by hand for

fresh marketsfresh markets

a pail on a neck-strapa pail on a neck-strap or beltor belt is often usedis often used

• Field heat can activate fruit disease organisms Field heat can activate fruit disease organisms within 12 hourswithin 12 hours

• Harvested fruit respires after being picked Harvested fruit respires after being picked causing a rise in temperature of as much as causing a rise in temperature of as much as 7C… unless checked by cooling7C… unless checked by cooling

• Blueberries at 27C respire Blueberries at 27C respire 20X faster20X faster than than berries at 4Cberries at 4C

• Pre-cool within four hours of harvestPre-cool within four hours of harvest using a using a convection cold-air tunnel systemconvection cold-air tunnel system

Pre-cool Harvested BerriesPre-cool Harvested Berries

coolingcooling

Air blast cleanerAir blast cleanerTilt belt sorterTilt belt sorterInspection beltInspection belt

Clamshell fillerClamshell filler

Box filler alternativeBox filler alternative

Lazy susan to packing tableLazy susan to packing tableCold storage @ 1CCold storage @ 1C

Maintain the Cold ChainMaintain the Cold Chain• From the time berries are pre-cooled until they From the time berries are pre-cooled until they

are purchased by the consumerare purchased by the consumer• Refrigerated transport is essentialRefrigerated transport is essential• Refrigerated display is highly recommendedRefrigerated display is highly recommended

Richard A. DaleRichard A. Dale87080 Valley Road87080 Valley RoadBayfield, WI 54814 USABayfield, WI 54814 USA

rdale46@gmail.comrdale46@gmail.com

New Opportunities for New Opportunities for AgricultureAgriculture