Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) growth characteristics versus different soil peculiarities

The aim of the study was to characterize the growth and yield, and root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), of plants of the American (large-fruited) cranberry grown on soils of different pH. Three cultivars: 'Pilgrim', 'Stevens' and 'Ben Lear' were grown in 2011-2013 in three localities: Krojczyn, Kosuty and Motoga, in different regions of Poland. The experiment in Krojczyn was established on a light sandy soil (pH(KCl) 3.6), while that in Kosuty was on loamy sand (pH(KCl) 7.3) and on an organic soil (pH(KCl) 4.8) in Motoga. Cranberry plants in these experiments overwintered in the open field under natural conditions. In Motoga, plants were cultivated on a marshy organic soil. They were flooded with water and overwintered under ice. Plant material was obtained by propagating hardwood cuttings. Vegetative and generative growth of the plants was assessed over three growing seasons. The highest shoot growth dynamics and efficiency of the formation of generative organs was recorded in the plants grown in Krojczyn. The first crop of berries was harvested in the second year in Krojczyn and Motoga, with the fruit yield in Motoga being considerably smaller. The highest marketable yield was recorded on the sandy soil with low pH. Plants of the cultivar 'Pilgrim' produced the highest yield per plot. Roots of 'Stevens' and 'Ben Lear' were more extensively colonized by AMF compared with those of 'Pilgrim'. Soil and water conditions, and soil pH, had a significant effect on the growth and yield, and root colonization by mycorrhizal fungi, of plants of the American cranberry.