Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

The wild blueberry industry is an economically important and significant sector with approximately 51,800 ha in production, producing 98.7 million kg in the Atlantic provinces and Quebec with farm gate and processed values of approximately $176.6 million and $369 million respectively. The proposed research will examine the impact of fungal diseases Monilinia and Botryis blight on the structure, function, growth, and development of wild blueberries. Wild blueberries are managed using naturally occurring populations of sweet lowbush (Vaccinium angustifolium) and sour-top (Vaccinium myrtilloides) blueberries containing different shoot growth and development characteristics and also varying levels of resistance to these diseases. Given this, efforts will be made in the proposed research to map the population structure of wild blueberry fields through the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, determine the relatively susceptibility of blueberry phenotypes to the fungal diseases, identify the resistance mechanisms being used in deterring the diseases and determine the impact of the diseases on blueberry growth and development. This will be complimented with studies examining the delivery, deposition, mobility and persistence of conventional disease control products, and also developing reduced risk disease management practices that will reduce fungicide usage and improve fruit quality. Findings will be culminated into improved predictive disease models, diagnostic and disease control technologies and production system sustainability. It is anticipated that the proposed project will reduce agrochemical usage by 30% and reduce the cost of production by 20%. The proposed project addresses key research priorities established by producer associations and the industry sponsor, will enhance the research capacity of Dalhousie University, and provide an essential vehicle for the training of highly qualified personnel. Dissemination of research results will occur to all producers and stakeholders in the sector through platforms including field days, twilight meetings, web based mechanisms including the Wild Blueberry Information Network, scientific symposia and meetings, and scientific and technical articles.