Individual and Combined Use of Sawdust and Weed Mat Mulch in a New Planting of Northern Highbush Blueberry. III. Yield, Fruit Quality, and Costs

A 4-year trial was established in Oct. 2016 western Oregon to evaluate the effects of various in-row mulch treatments on yield, fruit quality, and costs installation maintenance during establishment northern highbush blueberry ( Vaccinium corymbosum L. ‘Duke’). The included douglas fir [ Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] sawdust, black weed mat (woven polypropylene groundcover), green mat, sawdust covered with or mat. Fruit were harvested 2018–20 (second through fourth growing seasons). Weed color had no effect yield quality. In 2018, higher over than alone, whereas 2019 2020, cumulative yield. Percent total soluble solids berries highest alone compared mulches, berry weight, diameter, firmness unaffected by mulch. Sawdust most expensive lifespan planting because it required replenishment after 2 years. Black resulted net profit when sales cost materials labor considered.