WO2012161351A1

WO2012161351A1 - Method for producing blueberry fruits, and continuously flowering blueberry plant obtained thereby

Info

Publication number: WO2012161351A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/064249
Authority: WO
Inventors: 勲荻原; 敬愛車; 尚美堀内
Original assignee: 国立大学法人東京農工大学
Priority date: 2011-05-25
Filing date: 2012-05-25
Publication date: 2012-11-29
Also published as: JPWO2012161351A1; JP5717111B2; TW201300006A

Abstract

Provided is a method for producing blueberry fruits, said method enabling harvest in the off-season, extending the harvest time and giving fruits with good qualities. Also provided is a continuously flowering blueberry plant that is obtained by the aforesaid production method. The production method according to the present invention comprises: a first step for, after the flower bud formation of blueberry having a chill requirement of 100-500 hours, employing a temperature condition in the light period higher than the dormancy-inducing temperature; and a second step for, after flowering, employing a temperature condition not higher than the dormancy-inducing temperature, a long-day condition where the light period is longer than the light period in the first step, and a humidified condition.

Description

Blueberry production method and continuous flowering blueberry obtained by the method

The present invention relates to a method for producing blueberries that can be harvested in the off-season, that has a long harvest period, and has good fruit quality.
The present invention also relates to a continuous flowering blueberry obtained by such a production method, in which flower bud formation, flowering and fruiting can be seen simultaneously.

Blueberry reacts from July to short days, and by around September, flower buds differentiate (form) at the tip of the new treetop (newly grown stem) and the root of the leaf (leaf bud), and after flowering dormancy, it blooms the following year. Usually, it is a deciduous fruit tree that can be harvested only once a year.
For example, in Tokyo, the formation of flower buds began in July after the summer solstice, and in November, when the daytime temperature was around 10-15 ° C, the fallen leaves were completed, and after dormancy, spring (around April) flowers The life cycle is generally about 60 days after the flower blooms, the fruit is formed and matured around the seed and harvested after early summer (June).
Thus, since blueberries are deciduous trees, there is a dormancy period (period in which plant growth << photosynthesis of leaves >> stops), and breakage of dormancy requires a low temperature for a certain period. This is called a low temperature requirement time, and if this low temperature requirement time is not satisfied, defective germination occurs.
The low temperature requirement time is represented by an accumulated time of 7.2 ° C. or less, and blueberries vary depending on the variety. Some varieties have about 100 hours and some varieties require 1500 hours.
In addition, blueberries are shipped from mid-June to early September using the difference in varieties, but when looking at one variety, the harvest period is only about 3 weeks per year.
Since the harvest period is limited, there are problems such as a long off-season (from October to May of the following year), a higher unit price than cherries and strawberries, and a greater risk in terms of weather. If the harvest period is long (that is, if year-round production is possible), in addition to avoiding such risks, it is expected that the workforce will be leveled, production will be increased, consumers will be further spread, and the self-sufficiency rate will be improved. it can. In addition, since flowering (fruit extraction) is usually performed, there is a problem that the yield is reduced.

Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-283306 Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-283372

In view of the present situation, the present invention can be harvested in the off-season, and the harvesting period is long, and the fruit quality is good. It is an object of the present invention to provide a continuous flowering blueberry that can not only generate flowering but also form flower buds.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors firstly, when the plant enters the dormancy period, the temperature requirement time is low no matter how good the growth conditions are (eg, when the temperature is high, when it is long days). Until we met, we focused on the fact that dormancy is not broken, and flowers do not bloom or bud. Then, the present inventors sought a method for performing flowering and fruiting without causing sleep. As a result, the present inventors have developed that the blueberries of the varieties having a low dormancy (that is, the short time required for low temperature) do not enter the dormancy after forming the flower buds under certain environmental conditions, and the flower buds develop and bloom. I got the knowledge that I can do it. Next, as a result of further investigation under such knowledge, the present inventors have kept the flowering without dormancy under another specific environmental condition for a long time. It has been found that flowering, fruiting and flower bud formation occur continuously, and that harvesting and shipping are possible even in the off-season, and the present invention has been completed.
That is, the present invention includes the following.
(1) The first step in which the temperature of the light period is higher than the dormancy introduction temperature after the formation of blueberry flower buds with a low temperature requirement time of 100 to 500 hours, and the temperature condition after the flowering is below the dormancy introduction temperature And a second step of making the light period longer than the light period in the first step and making it a humid condition.
(2) The production method according to (1), wherein in the first step, the light period temperature is 30 to 35 ° C.
(3) The production method according to (1), wherein the first step is a day length condition in which the light period is 12 to 14 hours and the dark period is 10 to 12 hours.
(4) The production method according to (1), wherein the light intensity in the light period of the first step is 100 to 1000 μmol · m ⁻² · s ⁻¹ PPFD.
(5) The production method according to (1), wherein the second step is a long-day condition in which the light period is 15 to 16 hours and the dark period is 8 to 9 hours.
(6) The production method according to (1), wherein the temperature in the light period and the dark period is 10 to 30 ° C. in the second step.
(7) The production method according to (1), wherein in the second step, humidification conditions are set such that the relative humidity is 30 to 90%.
(8) The production method according to (1), wherein the light intensity of the light period in the second step is made lower than the light intensity of the light period in the first step.
(9) The production method according to (1), wherein the light intensity in the light period of the second step is 20 to 1000 μmol · m ⁻² · s ⁻¹ PPFD.
(10) The method further includes an intermediate step that is performed during the period of the second step and has a day length condition that shortens the light period and lengthens the dark period in the long day condition of the second step ( 1) The production method described.
(11) The production method according to (10), wherein in the intermediate process, conditions other than the day length condition are set to be the same as the conditions in the second process.
(12) A continuous flowering blueberry produced by the production method according to the above (1) to (11), wherein flower buds, flowers and fruits are present simultaneously.
According to the production method according to the present invention as described above, high-quality blueberry fruits can be put out early in the winter (December), which has been the off-season. According to the production method according to the present invention, it is possible to continuously generate flower bud formation, flowering, and fruiting while harvesting the fruit by controlling the fruit amount and environment under suitable conditions. It becomes possible. Therefore, by applying the production method according to the present invention, the harvest (shipment) period of blueberry fruits can be dramatically extended with one variety. In addition, in the production method according to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate the need for flowering (plucking), so that the yield can be increased by 2 to 3 times. Furthermore, in the production method according to the present invention, since the blueberry fruit gradually grows over a long period of time, the labor required for harvesting can be dispersed, and planned production (shipment) can be realized.
Thus, since the production method according to the present invention enables the annual production of blueberry fruits, supply to the market in the off-season (October to May of the following year), increase in yield per unit area, self-sufficiency rate Improvements can be realized.
This specification includes the contents described in the specification and / or drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-116908 which is the basis of the priority of the present application.

FIG. 1 is a photograph showing a situation where flowers are growing in the first step of the production method of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a photograph of a continuous flowering blueberry obtained by the production method of the present invention. In the second step, mature fruits (tips), immature fruits (middle parts), flowers and buds (base parts) are formed. Shows the situation.
FIG. 3 shows a situation in which the blueberry shown in FIG. 2 was subjected to an intermediate process in March to induce flower bud differentiation at the tip of a new treetop and flower.
FIG. 4 shows a situation in which the blueberries shown in FIG. 3 are returned to the second step and the fruits are grown from the induced flower buds.
FIG. 5 is a photograph showing the stock status on the third day after the second step of the blueberries of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2.
FIG. 6 is a photograph showing the stock status of about 120 days after starting the second step of blueberries shown in FIG.

The blueberry production method of the present invention is characterized in that a blueberry having a low temperature requirement time of 100 to 500 hours is subjected to a first step and a second step described later.
In the present invention, any blueberry having a low temperature requirement time of 100 to 500 hours (hrs) can be used as long as the blueberry has a low temperature requirement time within this range. Here, the low temperature requirement time is a time for maintaining a low temperature state necessary for breaking the dormancy period, and specifically, an integrated value of the time exposed to a low temperature condition of 7.2 ° C. or less. Is defined as The low temperature required time for blueberries is Method to determining chilling requirement in blueberry. J. et al. M.M. Spiers, D.M. A. Marshall, B.M. J. et al. Smith and J.M. H. Braswell. Acta Horticulturae. 715: VIII International Symposium on Vaccinium Culture. It can be determined by the method described in 1. For known blueberry varieties, the required low temperature for each variety is described, for example, above. That is, based on these conventional knowledge, a blueberry variety having a low temperature requirement time of 100 to 500 hours can be specified.
More specifically, blueberry varieties having a low temperature requirement time of 100 to 500 hours include, for example, Biloxi (Biloxi: 400 hrs), Sharp blue (Sharpblue: 200 to 300 hrs), Emerald (Emerald: 200 to 300 hrs), Sunshine blue (Sunshine blue: 150-300 hrs), Southern high bush varieties such as Magnolia (Magnoria: 500 hrs), Cooper (Cooper: 400-500 hrs), Alice blue (Alice blue: 300 hrs), Becky blue (300-400 hrs) Rabbit Eyes such as Blue (Bonitblue: 350-400 hrs), Baldwin (450-500 hrs) Varieties, and the like. Each low-temperature requirement time is added after the English notation of each product type.
In particular, in the method for producing blueberries of the present invention, it is preferable to target blueberries that are less dormant, more preferable to target blueberries having a low-temperature requirement time of 100 to 400 hours, and a low-temperature requirement time of 100 It is more preferable to target a blueberry of ~ 300 hours. For blueberries whose low temperature requirement time is in this range, the application of the present invention prevents entering into dormancy, and more reliable characteristics such as continuous flowering, fruiting, and flower bud formation occur over a long period of time. Can be realized.
In particular, in the method for producing blueberries according to the present invention, it is preferable to target blueberries having a required low temperature in the above-mentioned range and that are 3 years old or more. More reliable year-round production can be realized by targeting blueberries with a low temperature requirement time in the above-mentioned range.
Hereinafter, although each process in the production method of the blueberry which concerns on this invention is demonstrated, the 1st process which is the first process is implemented after the target blueberry forms a flower bud. In other words, the blueberry production method according to the present invention may include a pre-process for forming flower buds on the target blueberry. Here, blueberry flower buds usually begin to differentiate into the tip of the shoot and the root of the leaf (leaf bud) several weeks after the growth of the tip of the shoot is stopped, and the length ( The swelled spheroids are formed to have a vertical diameter of about 4 to 6 mm and a diameter (lateral diameter) of about 2 to 3 mm.
In the blueberry production method according to the present invention, “after flower bud formation” and “after flower bud formation” may be any stage of flower bud formation (flower bud differentiation), but are not particularly limited. ) Is preferably at the time when the flower buds are about 4 to 6 mm. That is, if formation of flower buds is recognized, the first step described later may be carried out at any stage of flower bud formation (flower bud differentiation), but in particular, flower buds having a length (vertical diameter) of about 4 to 6 mm. It is preferable to implement the first step at this point. Here, the length (longitudinal diameter) of flower buds means the average value obtained by measuring the longitudinal diameter of a plurality of flower buds.
<First step>
In the first step of the present invention, after the blueberries have formed flower buds as described above, the temperature of the light period is maintained under conditions higher than the dormancy introduction temperature. Thereby, in a 1st process, a flower bud can be developed and flowering can be induced | guided | derived. Here, the dormancy introduction temperature means the highest temperature at which blueberries can be introduced into the dormant state. That is, the blueberry can be introduced into a dormant state by maintaining the blueberry at a temperature equal to or lower than the dormancy introduction temperature. Usually, in blueberries, the dormancy introduction temperature is in the range of 10 to 20 ° C., although there are differences depending on the variety.
Moreover, if the temperature conditions of the light period in the 1st process of this invention are the temperature which a blueberry does not die and grow, the upper limit of temperature conditions will not be specifically limited. However, if the temperature is too high, it can be stressful for the plant and can cause high temperature damage. Therefore, in the light period in the first step of the present invention, it is preferable that the temperature be lower than the temperature at which high temperature failure occurs.
Summarizing the above, in the first step, the light period is set to a temperature higher than the dormancy introduction temperature of the blueberry that has formed flower buds. In the first step, it is preferable that the light period is less than a temperature at which the blueberry photosynthesis rate is saturated. More specifically, in the first step, the light period is preferably 30 to 35 ° C, more preferably 30 to 32 ° C.
When the temperature condition of the light period in a 1st process is less than this range, the temperature around the blueberry after forming a flower bud is too low, fallen leaves may occur, and dormancy may be introduced. Moreover, when the temperature condition of the light period in a 1st process exceeds this range, there exists a possibility that a photosynthetic rate may be saturated and it may become stress rather for a plant. Although the temperature condition of the light period in a 1st process is based also on the relationship of the below-mentioned light intensity | strength and illumination time, since the one where it is high within said range generally has a tendency for the flowering start time to become early. preferable.
In the first step, the temperature conditions in the light period are set as described above for the blueberries that have formed flower buds, thereby suppressing the decline in the photosynthetic function of the leaves and allowing the flower buds formed at the tip of the new tree to grow. It can blossom.
The dark period temperature in the first step is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 15 to 25 ° C., more preferably about 18 to 23 ° C.
In the first step, the above-described temperature condition is realized by using various temperature control devices such as a heater, a cooling device, an air blower, a dehumidifier (humidifier), a ventilator, a dry mist, and a light-shielding curtain, alone or in combination. can do. By using a closed room in which these temperature control devices are incorporated or a normal house equipped with these temperature control devices, the blueberries having flower buds can be maintained at the above-described temperature conditions.
On the other hand, in the first step, the light period is set to be the same time as the dark period or longer than the dark period. More specifically, the first step is preferably performed under conditions where the light period is 12 to 14 hours and the dark period is 10 to 12 hours. If the illumination time of light after flower bud formation, that is, the light period is too short, falling leaves may occur and dormancy is introduced, and conversely if the light period is too long, the development of flower buds may be stopped. Therefore, flower buds are formed by setting the day length condition of the first step to a condition in which the light period is the same as the dark period or longer than the dark period, specifically, the light period and dark period in the above-described range. The introduction of dormancy of the blueberry thus produced can be prevented, and the development of flower buds can be promoted.
The light period means that the light intensity condition is such that photosynthesis is possible. More specifically, the light period is about 100 to 1000 μmol · m ⁻² · s ⁻¹ PPFD, preferably 700 to 800 μmol · m ^{−2 in} terms of light intensity (photosynthetic photon flux density). Means a period in the range of s ⁻¹ PPFD. If the light intensity falls below this range, photosynthesis is not sufficiently promoted, and there is a possibility that the development of flower buds cannot be promoted. The main wavelength (spectral energy occupying most) in the first step is not particularly limited, but is preferably in the range of 400 to 730 nm.
The light irradiated in the light period may be either sunlight (natural light) and artificial light, or both. That is, the light source of light irradiated in the light period is not particularly limited, and examples include not only the sun but also a high-pressure sodium lamp, a metal halide lamp, an LED (light emitting diode), and a laser light source. Note that these light sources may be used alone, or a plurality of light sources may be used in appropriate combination. For example, when natural light intensity falls below the above range, such as in cloudy sky or rainy weather, it is preferable to supplement with artificial light. For example, when the intensity of natural light exceeds the above range, such as a hot summer day in midsummer, it is preferable to adjust the light intensity using a light shielding curtain or the like.
In the first step, when the light period is introduced (that is, the end of the dark period), the light intensity is gradually increased by using a system supplemented with artificial light so as to approximate the cycle of natural light. It is preferable for a pore opening / closing system to increase the sensitivity. In addition, when introducing the dark period, it is preferable to adjust so as to gradually reduce the light intensity using a system supplemented with artificial light.
By the way, in the first step, in addition to the above conditions (ambient temperature, light intensity / illumination time), relative humidity, CO ₂ concentration, soil pH, soil EC (electric conductivity): fertilizer concentration can be estimated. Blueberries may be retained with various parameters such as) adjusted appropriately. By adjusting these various parameters to a desired range, it is possible to provide a desirable environment for the development and flowering of blueberry flower buds, and promote growth. For example, the relative humidity is preferably in the range of 30 to 80%, the CO ₂ concentration is preferably in the range of 400 to 600 μmol · mol ⁻¹ , and the soil pH is in the range of 5.0 to 6.0. The soil EC is preferably about 0.7 to 1.2.
In the first step, the light irradiation condition, the relative humidity condition, and the CO ₂ concentration condition described above are various kinds of devices such as a blower, a dehumidifier (humidifier), a ventilation fan, a dry mist, a light-shielding curtain, and a CO ₂ supply device. It can be realized by using. By using a closed room in which these devices are incorporated, or a normal house equipped with these devices, the blueberries with flower buds can be maintained under the conditions described above.
The first step is performed until flowering is seen. That is, the end of the first step can be determined based on the flowering of the target blueberry. However, flowering here is not so strict. For example, the first flowering stage may be considered as flowering, and the first process may be terminated immediately after this. Alternatively, the first process may be finished when three to five wheels are blooming and the stage where they are scattered. good. In addition, for example, the first step may be completed when one or more flowers have been confirmed on the target blueberry, or as the time when more than 10% of the flower buds formed on the target blueberry have flowered. Alternatively, it may be the time when 20% or more of the flower buds have bloomed, or the time when 50% or more of the flower buds have bloomed.
The first step is usually continued for about 20 to 40 days from the processing start date of the first step when a day consisting of one light period and one dark period is set to 24 hours. As an example, FIG. 1 shows blueberries (variety name: emerald) about 40 days after the first step. As shown in FIG. 1, dormancy introduction is inhibited by the first step, the decrease in leaf photosynthesis function can be suppressed, and the development and flowering of flower buds formed at the tip of the new tree can be induced.
In addition, it is preferable to process continuously, without passing through another environmental condition between a 1st process and the 2nd process mentioned later. That is, it is preferable to implement the second step by changing various conditions in the room or the house where the first step is performed as described later.
For example, the first step described above is performed from August to September on blueberries that have formed flower buds in July. As a result, depending on the variety, flowering can be seen from around October, and the second step described later is carried out at this stage. In this way, the harvest start period can be advanced.
<Second step>
In the second step of the present invention, the blueberry after the completion of the first step is maintained under a temperature condition equal to or lower than the dormancy introduction temperature, a long-day condition, and a humidifying condition. Thereby, in a 2nd process, a flowering and a fruiting can be produced toward the base from the front-end | tip part of a chute | shoot (shoot), and also in the flower bud of another chute | shoot, it continues continuously from the front-end | tip to the base. Flowering and fruiting can occur.
The long day condition in the second step is set to have a longer light period compared to the day length condition in the first step described above. As long-day conditions for the second step, for example, the light period is 15 to 16 hours and the dark period is 8 to 9 hours.
If the light period in the second step, that is, the illumination time of light after flowering (light period) is too short, the fallen leaves may occur, or even if some shoots have fruited, flowering or fruiting will occur on another shoot. There is a risk of poor growth, such as when there is not. On the other hand, even if the light period in the second step is too long, the differentiation and development of new flower buds may be stopped. Therefore, by setting the light period in the second step to be in the above range, it is possible to avoid the growth failure and efficiently produce the fruit of blueberries.
Here, for example, when the light period is set to 15 hours and the sunshine time by sunlight (natural light) is 13 hours, the artificial light is used for about 1 hour before sunrise and about 1 hour after sunset. To supplement the light. Thus, long day conditions as described above can be realized by appropriately combining sunlight and artificial light.
In addition, the light period in the second step is not particularly limited, but the light intensity may be slightly weaker than the light period in the first step described above. The light intensity of the light period in the second step can be, for example, 20 to 1000 μmol · m ⁻² · s ⁻¹ PPFD, and preferably 700 to 800 μmol · m ⁻² · s ⁻¹ PPFD.
By setting the light intensity within this range, the photosynthesis is sufficiently promoted, so that the fruit (fruit) can be fattened and the stress on the plant can be prevented. In other words, if the light intensity falls below the above range, photosynthesis is not promoted, and the fruit (fruit) may not be thickened. Moreover, there exists a possibility that light intensity may exceed the said range, water utilization efficiency, etc. may fall, or it may become stress for a plant.
Also in the second step, it is preferable to approximate the cycle of natural light when switching between the light period and the dark period, as in the first process. In other words, it is preferable to gradually increase the light intensity when the light period is introduced (end of the dark period). When the dark period is introduced (the end of the light period) or the like, it is preferable to gradually reduce the intensity of the light for sensitivity. In this case, specifically, in addition to the natural light having the above-mentioned light intensity, artificial light of 20 to 130 μmol · m ⁻² · s ⁻¹ PPFD is measured for 1 to 2 hours before sunrise and 1 to 2 hours after sunset. It is preferable to irradiate for 2 to 4 hours under long day conditions of 15 to 16 hours of light period and 8 to 9 hours of dark period. In order to control the light intensity and irradiation time within the above ranges, the same technique as in the first step can be employed. The main wavelength (spectral energy occupying most) in the second step is not particularly limited, but is preferably in the range of 400 to 730 nm.
In addition, the temperature condition in the second step is set to a temperature equal to or lower than the dormancy introduction temperature defined as described above. As described above, normally, in blueberries, the dormancy introduction temperature is in the range of 10 to 20 ° C., although there are differences depending on the variety. By setting the temperature in the second step to be equal to or lower than the dormancy introduction temperature, it is possible to prevent the photosynthetic rate from becoming saturated and causing stress, and to gradually satisfy the dormancy request amount. However, if the temperature in the second step of the present invention is too low, defoliation may start or the flower buds may not bloom on another shoot. Therefore, the temperature condition in the second step is preferably 10 to 30 ° C., more preferably 15 to 25 ° C. In the second step, the temperature condition is in the above range for both the light period and the dark period. In addition, what is necessary is just to take the method similar to a 1st process, in order to control temperature in the said range.
In addition, the humidification condition in the second step includes, for example, a condition in which the relative humidity is 30 to 90%, and a condition in which the relative humidity is 40 to 70% is preferable. In the second step, it is preferable to set the relative humidity within the above range for both the light period and the dark period. By setting the relative humidity within the above range, it is possible to maintain a high fruit set rate by pollination without evacuating photosynthesis. In other words, if the relative humidity is above the range but below, blueberry photosynthesis may be inhibited, or the fruiting rate due to pollination may be reduced. Thus, it can be said that the relative humidity in the second step is a very important factor for pollination of blueberries after flowering.
In the second step, by setting the temperature condition, long-day condition and humidification condition as described above, after the flower bud at the tip of the new treetop (a certain shoot) blooms, As a result, even flower buds that exist in different shoots can be flowered one after another and set.
In such a second step, blueberries are held in a state where various parameters such as CO ₂ concentration, soil pH, and soil EC are appropriately adjusted in addition to the above conditions (ambient temperature, relative humidity, light intensity / irradiation time). You may do it. By adjusting these various parameters to a desired range, it is possible to achieve continuous flowering of blueberry flower buds and increase fruit yield. For example, the CO ₂ concentration is preferably in the range of 400 to 600 μmol · mol ⁻¹ , the soil pH is preferably in the range of 5.0 to 6.0, and the soil EC is 0.7 to 1.2. It is preferable to be in the range. In the second step, it is preferable to use a small amount of multi-irrigation.
In the second step, in particular, the light intensity in the light period is set to 700 to 800 μmol · m ⁻² · s ⁻¹ PPFD, the CO ₂ concentration is set to about 600 μmol · mol ^−1, and the water supply and fertilizer supplementing the transpiration amount are added. By performing nutrient solution management that is applied simultaneously, it is further promoted that fruit enlargement, flower bud development and flowering, and growth of new shoots are simultaneously performed, and the time from flowering to harvesting can be further shortened. For example, according to the light intensity, CO ₂ concentration, and nutrient solution management described above, what normally took about 60 days from flowering to harvesting can be shortened to about 45 days.
Thus, in the second step, it is preferable to control the temperature so that the photosynthetic rate is as high as possible during the daytime (in the light period), and to set the CO ₂ concentration high when the photosynthetic rate is low. According to such a setting, it is possible to realize prevention of fruit dropping, promotion of fruit enlargement, promotion of flower bud formation, and omission of flowering (fruit extraction).
The second step is theoretically continued until the tree is exhausted (withered), but if one day, which is one light period and one dark period, is set to 24 hours, usually the second step It is preferable to continue for about 150 to 250 days from the treatment start date. Further, in the middle of the second step, the assimilation product can be accumulated in the tree body (branches and roots) and then rested once (introduction of dormancy).
In particular, in the method for producing blueberries according to the present invention, an intermediate step, which will be described later, is inserted in the second step in order to form a flower bud at the tip of a newly grown new tree while growing the fruit in the second step. You can also
<Intermediate process>
In the blueberry production method according to the present invention, the intermediate step is a step that can be performed in the middle of the second step described above. The intermediate process is a process of relaxing the long day condition in the second process. Relaxing the long day condition means shortening the light period and lengthening the dark period. As described above, the long-day condition in the second step is a condition for setting the light period longer than the day-long condition in the first process. For example, the long period is set to 15 to 16 hours and The dark period is 8 to 9 hours. Accordingly, examples of the intermediate process include day length conditions in which the dark period is 11 to 13 hours and the dark period is 13 to 11 hours. In the intermediate process, it is preferable to set the temperature condition and the relative humidity condition to be the same as those in the second process, except that the long-day condition in the second process is relaxed. That is, in the intermediate process, the light intensity is 100 to 1000 μmol · m ⁻² · s ⁻¹ PPFD for 11 to 13 hours, and the temperature is 10 to 30 ° C. and the relative humidity is 30 to 90%. The conditions which hold | maintain under the day length conditions of a time dark period can be mentioned. In addition, when the ambient temperature exceeds 30 ° C. as the temperature condition in the intermediate process, the period from the start of flower bud differentiation to flowering (development of flower vase) tends to be shortened, and the number of flowers may be reduced.
By treating the blueberry that is being processed in the second step with an intermediate step under such day length conditions, the growth of new shoots that have newly grown in the second step stops, the leaf color becomes darker, and the flower buds at the tip Formation is induced. Such an intermediate step is preferably performed during the second step, for example, when the newly expanded shoots have become a predetermined length (for example, 15 cm) or more.
If the illumination time (light period) of the light in the intermediate process is too short, the leaves will fall, and even if some shoots will bear fruit, other shoots may not flower or bear fruit. On the other hand, if it is too long, the differentiation and development of new flower buds will cease, so that the day length conditions of 11 to 13 hours light period and 13 to 11 hours dark period are set, preferably about 12 hours light period, about 12 hours dark period.
In the intermediate process, in order to control the ambient temperature, relative humidity, light intensity / irradiation time, CO ₂ concentration, soil pH, soil EC and the like within the above ranges, the same method as in the first process and the second process is used. Just take it.
In the intermediate process, when one day of one light period and one dark period is set as 24 hours, it is usually sufficient to continue for about 25 to 35 days from the processing start date of the intermediate process. What is necessary is just to return to such a 2nd process. Between the second step and the intermediate step, it is preferable to perform the treatment continuously without passing through another environmental condition.
Further, the intermediate process may be performed once in the period of the second process or may be performed a plurality of times. In particular, if the intermediate process is performed once during the period of the second process, a sufficient effect can be expected, but even if it is performed a plurality of times, there is no particular problem.
<Others>
In the production method of the present invention, a general soil disinfectant for blueberry cultivation, a soil conditioner, an agrochemical, a chemical fertilizer, an organic fertilizer, a compost, or the like may be added as necessary, and appropriate pruning or Thinning can also be performed.
In the present invention, the ambient temperature, light intensity / irradiation time, relative humidity, CO ₂ concentration, soil pH, soil EC, irrigation amount, fertilization, leaf in the first step, the second step and the intermediate step as described above. The amount of transpiration can be kept within the desired range of the first step, the second step, and the intermediate step by artificially managing and controlling the natural environment according to the seasons as appropriate.
As an artificial management / control method, the plant cultivation system described in the prior application by the present inventors may be used (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
1 to 4 show continuous flowering blueberries (variety name: emerald) obtained by the production method of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a photograph about 40 days after the first step, as described above.
FIG. 2 is a photograph about 120 days after the second step, in which a mature fruit is formed at the tip part, an immature fruit is formed at the center part, and a flower and a bud are formed at the base part.
FIG. 3 is a photograph of the 30th day after the intermediate process was inserted about 150 days after the second process and after the intermediate process. In FIG. 3, the flower bud is induced | guided | derived to the front-end | tip part of the new shoot newly extended by the 2nd process, and the condition which this flower bud blossomed is shown.
FIG. 4 is a photograph of the about 40th day after inserting the intermediate process for 30 days on the 150th day after the second process and returning to the second process. The situation where the fruit is growing from the flower bud formed in the front-end | tip part of the new treetop newly extended in the 2nd process is shown.
Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the continuous flowering blueberry of the present invention is characterized in that flower buds, flowers and fruits are present simultaneously. For example, while a fruit grows in one shoot, flowering and flower bud formation occurs in another shoot, so this continuous flowering phenomenon makes it possible to realize a blueberry that can always be harvested for a long time even in the off season. it can.
Even in fruit trees that generally form fruits after the flowers are scattered, such as cherries and peaches, such a phenomenon can be observed by appropriately applying the year-round production method of the present invention to varieties with shallow dormancy. The advent of early varieties enables off-season shipping.

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example demonstrates this invention further in detail, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to a following example.
[Sample materials]
Example 1: "Emerald (low temperature requirement time: 200 to 300 hrs)" of 5th grade Southern High Bush
Example 2: “Biloxy (low temperature requirement time: 400 hrs)” of a third grade Southern High Bush species
Example 3: "Sharp blue (low temperature requirement time: 200 to 300 hrs)" of 5th grade Southern High Bush
Example 4: “Cooper (low temperature requirement time: 400 to 500 hrs)” of a grade 3 Southern High Bush
Comparative Example 1: “Spartan (low temperature requirement time: 1000 hrs)” of a grade 3 Northern High Bush
Comparative Example 2: “Weymouth (low temperature requirement time: 950 hrs)” of 5th grade Northern High Bush
Comparative Example 3: “Tiff Blue (low temperature requirement time: 600 to 850 hrs)” of 5th grade rabbit eye species
Comparative example 4: “Home bell (low temperature required time: 550 to 650 hrs)” of 5th grade rabbit eye species
Each tree of each cultivar of Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 was subjected to the first step under the following conditions in August 2010 after flower buds were formed. As for 2, flowering was seen despite being in October.
Subsequently, Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 that were flowering, and Examples 2 to 4 and Comparative Examples 3 and 4 that were not flowering were from November 2010 to March 2011 (about 150 days), The second step was performed under the above conditions.
Further, Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 3 and 4 that continued to flower and settled were subjected to an intermediate step under the following conditions for about one month from March 2011, and then returned to the second step.
The first step, the second step, and the intermediate step were all carried out in the field of Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (Fuchu City).
<First step>
The daytime temperature is set to 30 to 35 ° C.
Light intensity and day length were natural conditions (during this experiment, the light intensity was about 13 hours (September) to about 14 hours (August) when the light intensity was 100 to 1000 μmol · m ⁻² · s ⁻¹ PPFD. It was a long condition).
<Second step>
Set so that the minimum night temperature does not fall below 10 ° C. Relative humidity 30-90%.
In addition the light intensity to ^{^{100 ~ 1000μmol · m -2 · s}} -1 PPFD about natural light ^{^{20 ~ 130μmol · m -2 · s}} -1 PPFD of artificial light before sunrise 1-2 hours and 1-2 hours after sunset These were irradiated for a total of 2 to 4 hours, and the conditions were long days of about 15 to 16 hours light period and about 8 to 9 hours dark period.
For the artificial light, a high-pressure sodium lamp and a metahalide lamp (including a wavelength region of 400 nm or less and 750 nm or more) were used.
<Intermediate process>
Set temperature to 10-30 ° C and relative humidity to 30-90%.
The light intensity and the day length were natural conditions (during this experiment, the light intensity was a day length condition of about 12 hours light period and about 12 hours dark period of 100 to 1000 μmol · m ⁻² · s ⁻¹ PPFD. )
The flowering time, harvest time (maturity period), appearance and coloring of the obtained fruit, etc. were observed with naked eyes in Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4, and the results are shown in Table 1.
The “fruits that bloomed in the spring” in Table 1 are blueberry fruits that bloomed in the spring (April 2010) under the normal life cycle and were harvested in June of the same year (both the first and second steps). No fruit).

[Tree growth and growth of new treetops]
About the blueberries of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the state of the trees in November 2010 (about 3 days after starting the second step) and March 2011 (about 120 days after starting the second step) 5 and 6.
As shown in FIG. 5 (November) and FIG. 6 (March), the tree structure in November, which has just moved to the second step, is the same as the spring season corresponding to the flowering time under the normal life cycle. Although it was the same, about Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the fallen leaves partially occurred in March. On the other hand, in Example 1, continuous flowering was observed as well as the growth of new shoots even in March, and the amount of fruit set was also large.
[Fruit quality]
Fruits harvested in December 2010 (about 40 to 50 days after starting the second step) and March 2011 (about 120 days after starting the second step) for the blueberries of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 (A) 1 fruit weight (weight per fruit), (B) hardness (fruit hardness, peel hardness, flesh hardness), (C) total anthocyanin content, (D) sugar content (%), ( E) Acidity (%) was measured. The results are shown in Tables 2 and 3. In addition, the numerical value in Table 2, 3 is an average value of the measured value of nine fruits.
Moreover, in order to compare with the fruit harvested under a normal life cycle (the fruit which did not process the 1st process and the 2nd process), together with the measurement result of the blueberry fruit harvested in June, 2010, Table 2 , 3.
(B) Hardness was measured with a physical property measuring instrument (Rheoanalyzer), and (C) total anthocyanin content (ABS value) was measured with a spectrophotometer.

(A) 1 fruit weight: Although the blueberry of Example 1 did not have a big difference in June, December, and March, as for Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the fruit of March was smaller than June (Table 2). ).
(B) Hardness: In both Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, those harvested in December or March tended to be higher in fruits, pericarp, and flesh than in June. (Table 2).
(C) Total anthocyanin content: There was no big difference in any of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 (Table 3).
(D) Sugar content: The blueberries in Example 1 were slightly lower in December but increased in March. In Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the value in December was the highest and decreased in March (Table 3).
(E) Acidity: Comparative Example 1 showed no difference over the entire period. In Example 1 and Comparative Example 2, the value in December was slightly higher, but decreased in March (Table 3).
As described above, in the blueberry of Example 1, even in the next spring (about 120 days after the second step), the tree nature and the growth of new shoots continue, and continuous flowering and fruiting are seen. The fruit harvested in December and the fruit harvested in March were fruiting normally, and the fruit quality was not significantly inferior.
On the other hand, in the blueberries of Comparative Examples 1 and 2, in the next spring, defoliation occurred in part of the shoot. The fruit quality at that time was not significantly inferior, but a decrease in fruit weight and sugar content was observed.

The blueberry production method of the present invention not only accelerates the harvest start period, but also enables long-term harvest with one variety (up to 7 months).
Therefore, off-season shipments, that is, year-round shipments, can be expected for blueberry cultivation with a shortage of supply in spite of a high-price trading market, and an improvement in the self-sufficiency rate of blueberries can be expected.
All publications, patents and patent applications cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Claims

After the formation of blueberry flower buds having a low temperature requirement of 100 to 500 hours, the first step is to set the temperature of the light period higher than the dormancy introduction temperature;
After flowering, a temperature condition below the dormancy induction temperature, a second step that is a long-day condition and a humidifying condition that is a light period longer than the light period in the first step, and
A method for producing blueberries, comprising:
The production method according to claim 1, wherein in the first step, the temperature of the light period is set to 30 to 35 ° C.
2. The production method according to claim 1, wherein the first step is a day length condition in which the light period is 12 to 14 hours and the dark period is 10 to 12 hours.
2. The production method according to claim 1, wherein the light intensity in the light period of the first step is 100 to 1000 μmol · m −2 · s −1 PPFD.
2. The production method according to claim 1, wherein the second step is a long-day condition in which the light period is 15 to 16 hours and the dark period is 8 to 9 hours.
The production method according to claim 1, wherein the second step sets the temperature in the light period and dark period to 10 to 30 ° C.
2. The production method according to claim 1, wherein in the second step, humidification conditions are set such that the relative humidity is 30 to 90%.
2. The production method according to claim 1, wherein the light intensity of the light period in the second step is made lower than the light intensity of the light period in the first step.
2. The production method according to claim 1, wherein the light intensity in the light period of the second step is 20 to 1000 μmol · m −2 · s −1 PPFD.
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising an intermediate step that is performed during the second step and has a day length condition that shortens the light period and lengthens the dark period in the long day condition of the second step. Production method.
The production method according to claim 10, wherein in the intermediate process, conditions other than the day length condition are set to be the same as the conditions in the second process.
A continuous flowering blueberry produced by the production method according to claim 1, wherein flower buds, flowers and fruits are present simultaneously.