|Spiers, James - MS STATE UNIV|
|Matta, Frank - MS STATE UNIV|
Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 1, 2003
Publication Date: August 1, 2003
Citation: Marshall, D.A., Spiers, J.D., Spiers, J.M., Matta, F. 2003. Immediate and residual effects of kaolin clay particle film on southern highbush blueberry (vaccinium corymbosum x) plant photosynthesis and transpiration rates.. American Society for Horticultural Science. vol.38(5):795 Technical Abstract: Two studies were initiated to study the response of blueberry plants to kaolin clay particle film. In one study MS 111, a southern highbush selection (Vaccinium corymbosum x) received a single application of kaolin. The photosynthesis and transpirations rates were measured at 1,3, and 192 hours (8 days) after application to determine the immediate and delayed plant response. After 1 hr the photosynthesis rates were higher on sprayed plants than on unsprayed plants. After 3 hrs and up to 192 hrs, the photosynthesis and transpiration rates were lower on sprayed plants than on unsprayed. There was no difference in the leaf temperatures after 1 hror 3 hrs, but up to 192 the leaf temperature was reduced 1.6C by the kaolin application. A seperate study was initiated to determine the effects of plants being continually covered with the kaolin. Kaolin was applied to 'Magnolia' southern highbush blueberry plants as needed after rainfall to maintain a constant coverage of the plants. From Julian date (JD) 179 through 228 the photosynthetic and transpiration rates of sprayed palnts were wither equal to or higher than unsprayed plants. After JD 228 the photosynthesis and transpiration rates of sprayed plants were either equal to or higher than unsprayed plants. After JD 228 the photosynthesis rates of sprayed plants were consistently lower than unsprayed plants, and transpiration rates were lower on two of the three dates mentioned.