Fertigation vs. surface application of nitrogen during blueberry plant establishment

Nitrogen (N) was applied either as a granular surface application at budbreak, budbreak + 6 weeks and budbreak + 12 weeks or weekly to blueberry plants through the drip irrigation system (fertigation). Total N applied for the season was equivalent for each delivery system. Fruit yield and plant volume were greater under the fertigation regime than those of plants receiving surface applications of N after three years of treatment. Foliar analysis showed no difference in N concentration in the leaves due to treatment. The better performance of fertigated plants was probably due to the N being readily available and effectively placed in the root zone where it could be efficiently utilized by the blueberry plant.