Cultivar influences cranberry response to surface sanding

Abstract

Surface sand application to cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) is commonly practiced for a combination of vine and insect management. However, the efficacy of sanding on crop production has been poorly documented. This study determined the effect of three rates of sand application using a barge sanding technique on two different cultivars-'Early Black' and 'Stevens'. Beds were sanded to a depth of 0, 1.3, or 2.5 cm in November and monitored at the end of the following three growing seasons for yield, berry weight, and upright distribution. The 2.5-cm sanding rate adversely affected yield in 'Early Black' during the first two growing seasons. In 'Stevens' yields were not reduced until the third season and then only by the 2.5-cm rate. Although the 2.5-cm sanding rate increased vegetative upright density in both cultivars in the first growing season, yield and number of fruiting uprights were not significantly influenced the next year. Application of 1.3 cm of sand could improve insect pest management without negatively impacting yields of 'Early Black' and 'Stevens'.