Evaluation of southern highbush blueberry cultivars for production in southwestern Arkansas

Southern highbush blueberry, a hybrid of northern highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum) and southern-adapted Vaccinium species, has the potential to meet the need for an early-ripening blueberry in the southern U.S. southern highbush cultivars can ripen up to one month earlier than the earliest rabbiteye (Vaccinium ashei) cultivars currently grown in the southern U.S. However, chilling requirement and cold-hardiness are cultivar-dependent for southern highbush and cultivar testing has been necessary to determine the cultivars best adapted to specific hardiness zones. In a 4-year study at Hope, Ark. (hardiness zone 7b), several southern highbush cultivars were evaluated for productivity, fruit quality and reliability of cropping. Yields were based on 1089 plants/acre (2690 plants/ha) for southern highbush cultivars and 605 plants/acre (1494 plants/ha) for rabbiteye cultivars. 'Ozarkblue' and 'Legacy' showed the most adaptability at this location, yielding on average 11,013 lb/acre (12,309 kg.ha(-1)) and 10,328 lb/acre (11,543 kg.ha(-1)) respectively, compared to 4882 lb/acre (5456 kg.ha(-1)) for 'Premier' (rabbiteye) over 4 years. 'Ozarkblue' and 'Legacy' also rated well for plant vigor and fruit quality. We would recommend 'Ozarkblue' and 'Legacy' for commercial planting in southwest Arkansas and believe these cultivars have production potential for other areas of the southern U.S. that have similar hardiness zones and soil type to southwest Arkansas.