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Ailing blueberry fields develop in Oregon Ag
Combination of innovation, virus, honey bees may be to blame for poor harvest health
John Bonham
Issue date: 1/23/08 Section: News
Tests conducted over the past year show a number of ailments in Oregon's blueberry fields.
The market for blueberries has risen over the past decade, prompting Oregon growers to increase their crops.
Consumers have become more interested in blueberries recently, mainly because of its recognitions as a healthy food.
Over the last few years, profits have grown to over $50 million in sales for Oregon farmers alone.
Research has shown, however, that multiple problems have risen in the Willamette Valley's blueberry market.
Grow tubes, tall narrow shafts which protect plants from wind and forces them to grow taller, may have a negative effect on Oregon blueberries.
The usefulness of grow tubes varies upon the region where it is installed or the type of plant that it is used on.
Harsher environments prone to strong wind are better candidates for the tubes.
After careful measurements by OSU professor of horticulture Bernadine Strik, grow tube assistance bears no positive benefits for Oregon's blueberries.
The blueberry plants are forced to grow taller, but as a result of the external pressure, develop weaker structures and less healthy fruit.
Each tube costs roughly $0.50, which adds up when spread over thousands of individual plants.
A large number of blueberry growers in the Willamette Valley use grow tubes, believing the contraptions will boost plant productivity, while in actuality they hinder the process, spending thousands of extra dollars.
Another rising problem for farmers comes in the form of a virus, which has begun to attack blueberry plants.
No clear evidence has been collected on how the fungal based virus spreads. The disease causes a plant's berries to fall off weeks before they naturally should, greatly damaging the value of the crop.
Rented bees may be harming blueberry growers as well.
Honey bees have become popular tools for farmers, who believe that indigenous species are not as effective at spreading pollen.
Further studies show that local bumblebees produce greater results, and eliminate the cost that rented bees add to the blueberry grower's bill.
The blueberry market in Oregon has maintained its popularity and support through these problems, which will most likely be remedied with more study and understanding.
John Bonham, news writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
The market for blueberries has risen over the past decade, prompting Oregon growers to increase their crops.
Consumers have become more interested in blueberries recently, mainly because of its recognitions as a healthy food.
Over the last few years, profits have grown to over $50 million in sales for Oregon farmers alone.
Research has shown, however, that multiple problems have risen in the Willamette Valley's blueberry market.
Grow tubes, tall narrow shafts which protect plants from wind and forces them to grow taller, may have a negative effect on Oregon blueberries.
The usefulness of grow tubes varies upon the region where it is installed or the type of plant that it is used on.
Harsher environments prone to strong wind are better candidates for the tubes.
After careful measurements by OSU professor of horticulture Bernadine Strik, grow tube assistance bears no positive benefits for Oregon's blueberries.
The blueberry plants are forced to grow taller, but as a result of the external pressure, develop weaker structures and less healthy fruit.
Each tube costs roughly $0.50, which adds up when spread over thousands of individual plants.
A large number of blueberry growers in the Willamette Valley use grow tubes, believing the contraptions will boost plant productivity, while in actuality they hinder the process, spending thousands of extra dollars.
Another rising problem for farmers comes in the form of a virus, which has begun to attack blueberry plants.
No clear evidence has been collected on how the fungal based virus spreads. The disease causes a plant's berries to fall off weeks before they naturally should, greatly damaging the value of the crop.
Rented bees may be harming blueberry growers as well.
Honey bees have become popular tools for farmers, who believe that indigenous species are not as effective at spreading pollen.
Further studies show that local bumblebees produce greater results, and eliminate the cost that rented bees add to the blueberry grower's bill.
The blueberry market in Oregon has maintained its popularity and support through these problems, which will most likely be remedied with more study and understanding.
John Bonham, news writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
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