bearing, whereby heavy and light crops are produced in alternate years. Alternate bearing can reduce fruit quality and result in an inconsistent supply of fruit, which must be overcome for successful marketing through commercial outlets. Also, frequent fertilizer applications may reduce alternate bearing tendencies. We have recently established a plant density study utilizing the dwarfing trifoliate orange rootstock Flying Dragon in an effort to maximize production on a per acre basis and allow for efficient harvesting. We are excited about this study, as using a dwarfing rootstock can potentially save production costs, primarily by avoiding the use of ladders during harvesting. Satsumas are much more productive on the standard trifoliate orange Rubidoux rootstock on a per tree basis, averaging about 350 lbs/tree for Owari when mature. Production for mature Owari Satsumas on Flying Dragon has averaged 120-140 lbs/tree at the Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center. However, if you can get this lower yield with three to four times greater trees per acre, then it is expected that profitability will increase due to cost savings during harvest. In addition, pest management and sprinkler irrigation for freeze protection may be enhanced due to better spray coverage.
Inadequate peel-color development is a problem Satsuma growers have dealt with for many years. In large citrus-growing states, ethylene gas is used to “degreen� fruit in large degreening rooms. The Satsuma industry in Alabama is quite small compared to Florida and California, and degreening rooms may not presently be feasible for growers. To alleviate this problem, we have explored promising methods to degreen postharvest fruit utilizing the plant growth regulator, ethephon. We will repeat this study again to ensure results, but ethephon has been quite effective as a postharvest dip for degreening Satsumas in our initial studies.
Blueberry Research A major factor limiting the expansion of the commercial blueberry industry is the availability of sites with suitable soil and moisture characteristics. Blueberry has strict soil requirements for satisfactory growth, and this is reflected in the soil’s establishment and maintenance costs. Although blueberries can be grown on more typical mineral soils (i.e., higher native pH, lower organic matter), the soil inputs required to maintain productivity are extensive. We have been working with collaborators from the University of Florida and Oregon State University to utilize the tree-like native blueberry
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species, sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum, also known as farkleberry or winter huckleberry) to develop blueberry production systems that are suitable for commercial production with less costly soil amendments. Native sparkleberry plants have been found as far north as Indiana and ranging from Virginia to Nebraska, and south from Florida to Texas. Within this range, plants appear to adapt to many different soil characteristics. Sparkleberry tolerates much higher pH soils than highbush blueberries and grows well on mineral soils with low organic mat-