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

Slack Farms Ltd. is a second generation wild blueberry grower. Currently, the farm has 400 acres of its ownland under production. The farm also does custom work for other blueberry farmers to assist with theirproduction. As well as other wild blueberry growers, Slack Farms has been experiencing a decline in cropproduction along with significant inefficiencies in their current conventional production methods. The lack ofefficiency with the current chemical soil applied fertilizer, has forced the company to investigate alternateproduction methods, such as organic approaches. The proposed research is the first time collaboration betweenDr. Yurgel (Dalhousie University, Faculty of Agriculture) and Slack Farms Ltd. The goal of this research is toestablish field trials and perform comprehensive testing of the effect of organic agricultural soil ammendmentson fruit yield, soil chemical properties, bacterial and fungal abundance and diversity. The results of thisresearch will provide the guidance for the development of a wild blueberry cultivation practice, whichincreases fruit yield and improves soil health and fertility. Slack Farms will see a direct economic benefit fromthis 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 willtherefore provide an environmental benefit and increase the competitive position of the wild blueberry industryin Canada.