Efecto de aplicaciones de calcio en la calidad de la fruta de arándano alto (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) cv. Elliot

Abstract

The commercial production of highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) in Chile has undergone modifications that aim towards ensuring compliance of quality standards imposed by the importing countries. In order to evaluate the effects of different sources of calcium on highbush blueberry quality, in the agricultural season of 2007/2008 foliar and soil applications of calcium were applied to Elliott blueberry plants. The trial was performed in a commercial orchard located in the commune of Rio Negro, Los Lagos region. Soil was an andisol corresponding to the Corte Alto series. The experiment occupied seven treatments; the applications were made on 15 year old plants, from blooming until fruit development. Ten harvests were carried out to evaluate size, weight, soluble solids and firmness of highbush blueberry fruit. Treatment means were compared by an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey multiple range test at the 5% level when significant differences were found. No statistically significant differences were found between the different treatments evaluated for the variables of size, weight and soluble solids. Fruit firmness was the only evaluated factor that showed statistically significant differences with respect to untreated plants.