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Effects of Cluster and Flower Thinning on Yield and Fruit Quality in Highbush 'Jersey' Blueberry  

Kim, Jin-Gook (Fruit Research Division, National Institute of Horticultural & Herbal Science)
Ryou, Myung-Sang (Fruit Research Division, National Institute of Horticultural & Herbal Science)
Jung, Sung-Min (Fruit Research Division, National Institute of Horticultural & Herbal Science)
Hwang, Yong-Soo (Dept. of Horticulture, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Chungnam National University)
Publication Information
Journal of Bio-Environment Control / v.19, no.4, 2010 , pp. 392-396 More about this Journal
Abstract
This research focused on determining the effectiveness of cluster and/or flower thinning in highbush 'Jersey' blueberry on the yield and fruit quality. The total yield and quality of fruit were compared between thinning methods of control (no thinning), 1/3 cluster thinning, 1/3 cluster thinning + 1/2 flower thinning, 2/3 cluster thinning, and 2/3 cluster thinning + 1/2 flower thinning per each bearing shoot, respectively. Thinning strength significantly affected the yield of bearing shoot and, thus, total yield of control and 1/3 cluster thinning was higher than others. Both cluster and flower thinning, however, significantly affected the fruit growth resulting in the increase of fruit weight, length and width. Even total yield was similar between control and 1/3 cluster thinning, more larger fruit (> 1.6 g) were produced by 1/3 cluster thinning treatment, indicating that flower and/or cluster thinning contributed to the increase of individual fruit growth. Unlike fruit growth, fruit quality was less affected except total soluble solid contents. Total soluble solid level significantly increased in treatments (2/3 cluster thinning, 2/3 cluster thinning + 1/2 flower thinning) with yield decrease. No significant difference in levels of acidity and firmness of fruit was found. Results indicated that fruit growth and total yield of highbush blueberry was more influenced by the thinning strength regardless of cluster or flower than internal quality of fruit such as solid and acid levels.
Keywords
cluster weight; crop load; firmness;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 2  (Citation Analysis)
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