1. Richard A. Dale Small Fruits Specialist Highland Valley Farm Bayfield, WI, USA Producing Berries for the Fresh Market An Introduction for Kosovo

2. North American Highbush Blueberry A New Crop for Europe

3. Blueberry plant types in USA Lowbush (V. Angustifolium) nativeLowbush (V. Angustifolium) native Half-Highbush hybridHalf-Highbush hybrid HIGHBUSH (V. Corymbosum) nativeHIGHBUSH (V. Corymbosum) native Southern Improved Highbush hybridSouthern Improved Highbush hybrid Rabbiteye (V. Ashei) nativeRabbiteye (V. Ashei) native

5. Blueberry Cultivars for Kosovo Half-Highbush hybrid ?Half-Highbush hybrid ? –Possibly for high altitude cooler sites –Patriot is a half-highbush hybrid HIGHBUSH (V. Corymbosum) nativeHIGHBUSH (V. Corymbosum) native –Bluecrop is proven –Duke, Spartan, Reka and Nui look promising Southern Improved Highbush hybrid ?Southern Improved Highbush hybrid ? –Climate of Serbia in the most promising regions may be more similar to Arkansas than to Michigan –Ozarkblue is being trialed

6. Additional Cultivars that should be trialed for Kosovo ElliotElliot –Late season favorite of Michigan growers –To extend season and for domestic markets ChandlerChandler –Extremely large fancy berry –Early-midseason BluettaBluetta –A proven excellent early season fruit EarliblueEarliblue –Another proven early season berry O'NealO'Neal –Considered the earliest fruiting southern highbush MistyMisty –Another excellent early season southern highbush Elliot Earliblue

7. Site Selection Appropriate climate Appropriate climate Accessible Accessible Well drained surface & soil Well drained surface & soil Humus >3% Humus >3% Low pH: 4.5 – 5.2 Low pH: 4.5 – 5.2 At least 1/2 day full sun At least 1/2 day full sun Irrigation available Irrigation available

8. Site Preparation Begin at least one year before plantingBegin at least one year before planting Control perennial weeds with non- residual herbicides and repeated cultivationControl perennial weeds with non- residual herbicides and repeated cultivation Soil testSoil test –Adjust pH per soil test –Add P & K fertilizer as per soil test Add organic matter if necessaryAdd organic matter if necessary Improve drainageImprove drainage Prepare irrigationPrepare irrigation

9. Remove blossom and green fruit at planting 2-year old container grown plants Loosen roots

10. Planting System SpacingSpacing –Plants: 1 – 1.2 m spacing in the row –Rows: 3m between rows Raised BedsRaised Beds –For improved drainage on heavier soils MulchMulch IrrigationIrrigation –Drip irrigation is best

11. 1.2m between bushes x 3m between rows x 3m between rows 3m 3m 1.2m1.2m1.2m1.2m1.2m 3m 3m

13. Mulch Mulches are desirable for:Mulches are desirable for: –Retaining moisture –Keeping soil surface cool –Protecting roots –Reducing weeds –Increasing organic matter Sawdust, shavings, bark, or clean strawSawdust, shavings, bark, or clean straw Plant sod between rowsPlant sod between rows –Non-creeping grasses –Maintain with mowing. Do not allow to seed

16. Supplemental irrigation critical Supplemental irrigation critical Drip irrigation recommended Drip irrigation recommended Water source Water source Flow rate and recharge Flow rate and recharge pH pH Quality Quality Schedule 2.5 - 4 cm / week Schedule 2.5 - 4 cm / week Irrigation

18. When berries are ready to pick… Harvest should be TimelyTimely DryDry CleanClean GentleGentle

19. Highbush Blueberries are usually picked by hand for fresh markets a pail on a neck-strap or belt is often used

20. Field heat can activate fruit disease organisms within 12 hoursField heat can activate fruit disease organisms within 12 hours Harvested fruit respires after being picked causing a rise in temperature of as much as 7C… unless checked by coolingHarvested fruit respires after being picked causing a rise in temperature of as much as 7C… unless checked by cooling Blueberries at 27C respire 20X faster than berries at 4CBlueberries at 27C respire 20X faster than berries at 4C Pre-cool within four hours of harvest using a convection cold-air tunnel systemPre-cool within four hours of harvest using a convection cold-air tunnel system Pre-cool Harvested Berries

23. cooling Air blast cleaner Tilt belt sorter Inspection belt Clamshell filler Box filler alternative Lazy susan to packing table Cold storage @ 1C

24. Maintain the Cold Chain From the time berries are pre-cooled until they are purchased by the consumerFrom the time berries are pre-cooled until they are purchased by the consumer Refrigerated transport is essentialRefrigerated transport is essential Refrigerated display is highly recommendedRefrigerated display is highly recommended

25. Richard A. Dale 87080 Valley Road Bayfield, WI 54814 USA rdale46@gmail.com New Opportunities for Agriculture