Differential Response of Blueberry (Vaccinium) Progenies to pH and Subsequent Use of Iron1

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Abstract
Iron chlorosis often develops in blueberries (Vaccinium) grown on soils with a pH above 5.2. Seedlings of 4 blueberry intra- and interspecific progenies, involving V. ashei, V. corymbosum, and V. darrowii, were tested for Fe-efficiency (use of Fe) by growing them in nutrient solutions containing different concentrations of CaCO3 to vary the pH. Plants received Fe during the first 4 harvests (up to 75 days) but received no Fe during the subsequent 2 harvests. The Fe supply for plant growth in the last 2 harvests was limited to that available in the roots. T-65 × US 67 blueberry plants [a 3-species hybrid of V. ashei × (V.darrowii × V. corymbosum)] lowered the pH of the nutrient solution by releasing H+ from their roots which freed Fe from root accumulations and made it available for plant use. ‘Climax’ × T-151 (V. ashei × V. ashei) progeny did not do this. Seedlings of V. corymbosum and those from a cross of V. corymbosum with V. darrowii were intermediate in their response.

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