Organic mulches: an effective weed control alternative for highbush blueberries?

N.E. Burkhard¹, D.H. Lynch², and D.C. Percival³

Herbicide use is the standard in-row weed control practice for highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) cultivation, yet is not an option for organic producers. The objective of this study was to assess mulch application as an organic method of in-row weed control and its impact on crop yield for highbush blueberry. The study took place in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia and preliminary results from 2005 are presented. The experimental design was a split-plot, completely randomized block design with 5 blocks (replicates).

Main plots received one of six fertility or mulch treatments [no amendment (control), standard fertilizer (ammonium sulphate) at 30 kg N ha-1, Nutri-Wave dehydrated poultry manure at 60 kg N ha-1, pine needles, horse manure/sawdust compost, and seafood waste compost (mulches were applied to a height of 25 cm)] and were divided into weeded and un-weeded sub-plots. Weed control was assessed by sampling percent ground cover and weed biomass in three 0.5 m2 quadrants per un-weeded sub-plot.

Weed biomass (mean dry wt quadrant-1) was highest for the seafood waste compost and lowest for the control, horse manure/sawdust compost and pine needles. Analysis of fruit yield (berry number and fresh weight) is in progress.


Source
Organic Agriculture Research Symposium held at the 25th Guelph Organic Conference, University of Guelph, January 2006


Author Locations & Affiliations
(1) Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Department of Plant & Animal Sciences, Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada, P.O. Box 550, Truro, NS, Canada B2N 5E3 (email: neburkhard@nsac.ca)
(2) Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada, P.O. Box 550, Truro, NS, Canada B2N 5E3;
(3) Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Department of Environmental Sciences, P.O. Box 550, Truro, NS, Canada B2N 5E3
Corresponding Author: Nicole Burkhard NEBURKHARD@nsac.ca


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