Studies on the response of ‘Tifblue’ and ‘Woodard’ rabbiteye blueberries to fertilizers

A field study was conducted to investigate the effects of three fertilizer placement methods and 11 fertilizer formulations on plant survival, economics of replanting, yield, and fruit size of two rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade) cultivars Tifblue and Woodard. Fertilizer rates were either mixed with the soil under plants (before planting), sidedressed, or half-rate was placed under plants with the other half sidedressed. Fertilizers at planting caused a total of 34% Woodard and 12% Tifblue plants to die as compared to 6% for Woodard and none for Tifblue when no fertilizer was applied. Fertilizer formulas 2-1-1 and 5-10-10 oxide ratios placed under Woodard plants caused 100% mortality whereas Tifblue fertilized with oxide ratios 2-2-2 and 5-10-10 under plants reached the maximum 50% mortality. Splitting fertilizer placement under the side of the plants resulted in less Woodard plant mortality (30%) than placing all the fertilizer under plants (54%). However, plant mortality for the side/under group was not different than sidedressing all fertilizer (23%). A planted hectare in this experiment consisted of 1852 Tifblue and 926 Woodard plants, providing one Woodard plant to pollinate two Tifblue plants. Based on the results obtained, the 5-10-10 fertilizer placed under plants would be expected to cause half the Tifblue (926 plants) and all the Woodard (926 plants) to be replanted. Plant costs alone was estimated to be $2315 with additional replanting costs of $93 for Tifblue and much higher for Woodard. Sidedressing 5-10-10 fertilizer eight weeks after planting would have prevented plant mortality. Placement of various fertilizers under Woodard or Tifblue plants resulted in a significant increase in plant mortality as compared to side placement of fertilizers. Yield loss due to plant mortality increased linearly with the N level of the fertilizers (ranging from 0 to 2) for both cultivars. Woodard fruit size was not affected by fertilizer placement but placing fertilizers under Tifblue plants produced smaller yields with larger fruit than sidedressed plants. Blueberry plants in a virgin acidic soil may experience no reduction in yield if fertilization is completely eliminated.