Growth and photosynthetic characteristics of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum cv. Bluecrop) under various shade levels

Blueberry can readily be shaded as a bush type plant, maybe affecting its growth and photosynthesis. Growth and photosynthetic characteristics of ‘Bluecrop’ blueberry grown under various shade levels were investigated to understand acclimation under shade conditions and to determine the optimal light conditions for agricultural purpose. Shade decreased the number of shoots per shrub, but increased shoot length. However, shade did not affect the number of leaves on the main axis. With increasing shade level, leaf length, width and area increased, but leaf thickness decreased. However, there was no obvious tendency in leaf length/width ratio with increasing shade level. Shade leaves had less dense stomata than sun leaves, but stoma was bigger in shade leaves than in sun leaves. With increasing shade level, non-photochemical quenching in blueberry leaves increased and the values were higher at low photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFDs) in shade leaves than in sun leaves, resulting in the decreases in quantum yield, electron transport rate and net CO2 assimilation rate (An). The maximum An at 31, 60, 73 and 83% shade levels was 11.8, 11.0, 8.4 and 7.5 μmol m−2 s−1, respectively. Following the slight decrease up to 100 μmol m−2 s−1 PPFD, stomatal conductance (gs) linearly increased up to 600 μmol m−2 s−1 PPFD and became saturated at all shade levels. The leaves of the shrubs grown under the 83% shade level had a significantly lower gs as compared to the leaves of the shrubs grown under the 31, 60 and 73% shade levels. Transpiration rate (E) linearly increased up to 600 μmol m−2 s−1 PPFD and was saturated at the 73 and 83% shade levels. However, E increased linearly at both 31 and 60% shade levels with increasing PPFD. The reproductive growth characteristics such as number of flowers, fruit set rate per flower bud and fruit yield also significantly decreased with increasing shade level. For agricultural purpose, therefore, shade level above approximately 60% of full sunlight must be avoided for optimal photosynthesis and growth of the ‘Bluecrop’ blueberry.

► Shade decreased the no. of shoots per shrub, but increased shoot length. ► Shade increased the leaf length, width, and area, but decreased leaf thickness. ► Shade leaves had less dense and bigger stomata than sun leaves. ► Shade decreased quantum yield, electron transport rate, and CO2 assimilation rate. ► Shade decreased the no. of flowers and fruiting rate per flower bud and fruit yield.