Fang, Y.; Nunez, G.H.; Silva, M.N.; Phillips, D.A.; Munoz, P.R. A Review for Southern Highbush Blueberry Alternative Production Systems. Agronomy2020, 10, 1531.
Fang, Y.; Nunez, G.H.; Silva, M.N.; Phillips, D.A.; Munoz, P.R. A Review for Southern Highbush Blueberry Alternative Production Systems. Agronomy 2020, 10, 1531.
Fang, Y.; Nunez, G.H.; Silva, M.N.; Phillips, D.A.; Munoz, P.R. A Review for Southern Highbush Blueberry Alternative Production Systems. Agronomy2020, 10, 1531.
Fang, Y.; Nunez, G.H.; Silva, M.N.; Phillips, D.A.; Munoz, P.R. A Review for Southern Highbush Blueberry Alternative Production Systems. Agronomy 2020, 10, 1531.
Abstract
Southern highbush blueberry plantations have been expanded into worldwide non-traditional growing areas with elite cultivars and improved horticultural practices. This article presents a comprehensive review of current production systems – alternatives to traditional open field production – such as production in protected environments, high-density plantings, evergreen production, and container-based production. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each system and compare their differences to the open field production. In addition, potential solutions have been provided for some of the disadvantages. We also highlight some of the gaps existing between academic studies and production in industry, providing a guide for future academic research. All these alternative systems have shown the potential to produce high yields with high quality berries. Alternative systems, compared to the field production, require higher establishment investments and thus create an entry barrier for new producers. Nevertheless, with their advantages, alternative productions have potential to be profitable.
Keywords
Vaccinium corymbosum interspecific hybrids; high tunnel; greenhouse; plant factory; non-dormant; substrate; container; evergreen; high density
Subject
Biology and Life Sciences, Horticulture
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
