Physiology of Nitrogen and Calcium Nutrition in Blueberry (Vaccinium sp.)

Summary

Sustaining the fourfold increase in blueberry (Vaccinium sp.) production witnessed during the previous two decades requires better understanding of its mineral nutrient physiology. The primary goals of this review are to evaluate our current understanding of the physiology of nitrogen (N) and calcium (Ca) nutrition in blueberry. Nitrogen concentration in blueberry ranges from 0.4% to >2% across organs. Blueberry uses N in various forms (organic and inorganic), but it appears to display preference for ammonium (NH4+) over nitrate (NO3−). The roles of N acquisition, translocation and assimilation in determining N-source preference in blueberry are evaluated. Calcium plays important roles in determining fruit quality owing to its function in maintaining cell wall and membrane integrity. It is