Evaluating Floricane-fruiting Blackberry Response to Bud Renovation and Fertilizer Application Timing

Abstract This research seeks to examine the response of ‘Ponca’ thornless erect floricane-fruiting blackberry when bed renovation is delayed or completely renewed post-harvest. Current management of floricane-fruiting blackberries relies on selective pruning to remove senescing floricanes after harvest. Pruning in this manner is a labor intensive and increasingly expensive process. If effective, the transition to mechanical removal of floricanes either by mowing or hedging near ground level soon after harvest could decrease labor inputs associated with pruning. The investigation will also compare fertilizer strategies anticipated to counteract nutrient losses from the plant system. Repeated research has shown that delayed suppression of primocanes can negatively affect the development and productivity of treated brambles. If maintenance of vigor is possible, growers will potentially benefit from a new production system that may offer means to reduce labor inputs through increased mechanization. Five treatments will be imposed: 1) standard renovation, fertilized at bloom (control), 2) delayed renovation, fertilized at bloom, 3) complete renovation, fertilized at bloom, 4) complete renovation fertilized after harvest, 5) complete renovation, split fertilizer application.