Improving pollination and fruit set in highbush blueberry is a major area of focus in our blueberry research and outreach program. We have primarily focused on biological approaches to improve fruit set, berry size, and yields, but have also studied the role of different chemical nutrients on improving fruit set, berry retention, and yield. Please see the following final and progress reports for information.
Extension Publications and Commission Reports
- Final Commission Report (2019): Hive density, pheromone, and attractant research (pdf)
- WSU Fact Sheet (2017): Highbush Blueberry Pollination in the Pacific Northwest (pdf)
- Final Commission Report (2017): Hive Density and Pollinator Supplementation in Washington Highbush Blueberry (pdf)
- Final Commission Report (2016): Evaluating the Role of Boron and Calcium in Enhancing Fruit Set of Highbush Blueberry (pdf)
- Final Report (2015): Relating Honey Bee Activity to Fruit Set and Yield in Washington Highbush Blueberry (pdf)
Scientific Publications (available upon request)
- Gan, W., H. Zhang, N. Bostan, and L.W. DeVetter. 2020. Pollen germination and growth rates differ among cultivars of northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum). Journal of the American Pomological Society. In press.
- Arrington, M.A. and DeVetter, L.W. 2018. Increasing honey bee hive densities promotes pollination and yield components of highbush blueberry in western Washington. HortScience. 52(2):191-194.
- Arrington, M. and L.W. DeVetter. 2017. Foliar applications of calcium and boron do not increase fruit set or yield in northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum). HortScience 52(9):1259-1264.
- DeVetter, L.W., S. Watkinson, R. Sagili, and T. Lawrence. 2016. Pollination by honey bees is limited in northern highbush blueberry production in Washington State. HortScience 51(10): 1228-1232.
- Arrington, M. and L.W. DeVetter. 2016. Fruit set improvement of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum): A review. J. Amer. Pomol. Soc. 70(3): 124-137.
Learn about our most recent results by accessing the video presentations below. Information is presented by Weixin Gan (former MS Student) at the WSU Small Fruit Conference in 2018. Additional information is available upon request.
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