Combined Effects of Biochar and Wood Distillate on Growth, Yield, and Fruit Quality of Soilless-Grown Highbush Blueberry Plants (<i>Vaccinium corymbosum</i> L.).

ABSTRACT: The global production of blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) has increased rapidly due to rising demand for antioxidant-rich fruits, making this crop increasingly important worldwide. Because blueberries require acidic soils, soilless systems offer a promising alternative by optimizing nutrient availability and reducing soil-related limitations. Among sustainable amendments, biochar (BC) improves water retention, porosity, and microbial activity, while wood distillate (WD), rich in bioactive compounds, can enhance plant resilience and growth. Although often used separately, their combined application may exert synergistic effects on substrate fertility and plant performance. This study investigated the effects of BC and WD, alone and in combination, on the growth, yield, and fruit

SUBMITTER: Agosti A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12737149 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature