Reproductive Response of the Highbush Blueberry to Root-zone Flooding

Two-year-old container-grown highbush blueberry plants (Vaccinium corymbosum L. ‘Bluecrop’) were flooded outdoors, beginning in December, April, and August, to determine the seasonal effects of root-zone flooding on reproductive growth. Flooded plants had 61-77% fewer flower buds and 55-66% fewer flowers per bud, compared to nonflooded plants. Anthesis was delayed about 6 days in flooded plants. Fruit set was decreased 45% and fruit abscision increased with flooding. Fruit weight, fruit size, and percentage of soluble solids from flooded plants were reduced significantly.