Summary
This chapter synthesises knowledge on the specialised nutritional requirements of blueberry and other acid-loving (calcifuge) plants, examining genetic diversity in nutrient acquisition, root morphology and function, the distinction between calcifuge and calcicole species, the role of soil organic matter, and mycorrhizal symbiosis. The work provides a comprehensive horticultural perspective on how these plants adapted to low-pH, nutrient-poor soils and their specific nutritional ecology.
Regional applicability
The findings are applicable to United Kingdom horticulture, particularly in regions with naturally acidic soils (such as Scotland, Wales, and parts of southwest England) where blueberry cultivation and acid-loving ornamentals are practised. The nutritional principles reviewed may inform soil management and fertiliser strategies for commercial and domestic blueberry production in the UK.
Key measures
Nutritional requirements of Vaccinium species; calcifuge versus calcicole plant physiology; mycorrhizal associations; organic matter effects on soil chemistry and plant nutrition
Outcomes reported
A comprehensive review of nutritional requirements, genetic diversity in nutrient uptake, root physiology, soil organic matter, and mycorrhizal associations in blueberry (Vaccinium) and other calcifuge species.
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