Crop Profile for Lowbush Blueberry in Canada – 2011 (52 pages) Synopsis
The lowbush blueberry is a perennial, native fruit that grows in treeless barrens, fields and burned over areas of north eastern North America. It is a member of the Ericaceae or heath family. The crop is unique in that it is not planted, but is harvested from managed, lowbush stands. Harvested lowbush blueberry species include Vaccinium angustifolium, V. angustifolium f. nigrum and V. myrtilloides. Lowbush blueberries are produced commercially in the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec.
The Crop Profile for Lowbush Blueberry provides an overview of the production and pest management practices for lowbush blueberry in Canada. Information is provided on abiotic factors affecting its growth. The biology of key disease, insect and mite and weed problems is presented as well as cultural, chemical and alternative methods of control. Detailed information is provided in tabular form on pest occurrence, integrated pest management options and registered pesticides available to growers.
Grower issues/gaps in pest management, identified through stakeholder consultations are described in each of the three main sections (disease, insect and mite and weed) and under each pest description. Key resource personnel, including provincial extension specialists and research scientists are listed in the resources section at the end of the profile. Links are also provided to national and provincial grower organizations and provincial ministry of agriculture websites, sources of additional information on lowbush blueberry production.
Limited crop production and market statistics are provided in the profile to give context to the economic importance of the commodity. For more detailed statistics pertaining to the crop, the reader is referred to Statistics Canada.
The Crop Profile for Lowbush Blueberry is not intended for use as a crop production guide. Please refer to provincial ministry of agriculture websites and crop specialists for detailed information on crop production and pest management in a specific region.
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