Short-Term Response of BLueberry to Elevated Soil Calcium

Studies examining the effect of elevated soil calcium on plant growth are usually confounded by changes in soil pH accompanying the addition of lime as a calcium source. To overcome this confounding of the pH/calcium effect, blueberries were grown outdoors in pots containing 3 soil types amended with lime or gypsum, at similar calcium additions. Gypsum has little effect on soil pH. 'Tifblue' rabbiteye and 'Blueray' highbush blueberry were grown on Manor and Muirkirk soils either limed or gypsumamended. 'Tilue' and 'Collins' highbush bluebeny were grown on Berryland soil receiving similar treatments. All plants were grown for two growing seasons, harvested, and evaluated for growth and elemental concentrations. 'Blueray' growth was unaffected by treatments but 'Collins' growth was significantly greater with gypsum applied to the Berryland soil as compared to lime treatment or the untreated control. 'Tifblue' growth varied depending upon soil type but only liming caused a growth depression on the Manor and ...