The effect of organic cultivation practice on wild blueberry fruit yield and soil quality

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Slack Farms Ltd. is a second generation wild blueberry grower. Currently, the farm has 400 acres of its own land under production. The farm also does custom work for other blueberry farmers to assist with their production. As well as other wild blueberry growers, Slack Farms has been experiencing a decline in crop production along with significant inefficiencies in their current conventional production methods. The lack of efficiency with the current chemical soil applied fertilizer, has forced the company to investigate alternate production methods, such as organic approaches. The proposed research is the first time collaboration between Dr. Yurgel (Dalhousie University, Faculty of Agriculture) and Slack Farms Ltd. The goal of this research is to establish field trials and perform comprehensive testing of the effect of organic agricultural soil ammendments on fruit yield, soil chemical properties, bacterial and fungal abundance and diversity. The results of this research will provide the guidance for the development of a wild blueberry cultivation practice, which increases fruit yield and improves soil health and fertility. Slack Farms will see a direct economic benefit from this research by developing a strategy for sustainable production with improved productivity and fruit quality. The developed practice can be adapted by other wild blueberry growers in Nova Scotia and Canada and will therefore provide an environmental benefit and increase the competitive position of the wild blueberry industry in Canada.