Blueberry Response to Micro-Irrigation
Systems
Jerry Wright, Associate
Professor, West Central Research and Outreach Center, Morris,
MN
Dave Wildung, Professor, Horticulture, North Central Research
and Outreach Center, Grand Rapids, MN
Becky Sheets, Research Technician, Central Lakes Ag Center,
Staples, MN
Funding Source
University of Minnesota Central Regional Sustainable Partnership;
Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers–USDA/MDA Specialty
Crops Fund; Minnesota Department of Agriculture Integrated
Pest Management Project; Irrigators Association of Minnesota;
Minnesota Berry Growers Association; Agricultural Utilization
Research Institute; Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station
Objective
- Evaluate the effect of micro-irrigation on the growth
of half-high blueberry plants.
- Evaluate the impact of an organic production system on
micro-irrigated blueberries.
- Provide educational opportunities for area growers.
Need or Impact
Growers are interested in irrigation systems that reduce
the amount of water needed. Over half of the growers participating
in this project expressed an interest in developing an organic
production system, which requires that chemicals, which are
commonly added to conventional irrigation systems to reduce
the chance for plugging, not be present.
Project Status
In-field research is finished and reports are being developed.
Results show that micro-irrigation with non-chemical water
treatment applied water uniformly without any plugging problems.
Wood chip mulch reduced irrigation water needs by 20 to 40
percent over non-mulched plots.
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