The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of nitrogen fertilization on the blueberry crop throughout three consecutive years with different rates and ways of fertilizer application. The experiment was carried out in a commercial orchard located at the county of Vacaria-RS, in Southern Brazil utilizing the blueberry cultivar ‘Bluecrop’. The treatments consisted of the broadcasted nitrogen rates: 0, 50, 100 and 150 kg.ha-1 to verify the crop’s responsiveness to nitrogen fertilization. Looking for the best way of evaluating nitrogen deliverance, a second experiment was conducted in which a fixed rate of 150 kg.ha-1 of nitrogen was broadcasted and applied through fertigation. The nitrogen sources used in both fertilization systems were a mixture of half urea and half ammonium sulphate. Crop yield, number of fruits per plant and mean fruit weight were evaluated during three consecutive years, along with the levels of nutrients in the soil and leaf tissue after three years of broadcasted fertilization. The broadcasted nitrogen fertilization after three consecutive years reduced the soil pH and enhanced the aluminium saturation, but it increased the nitrogen and sulphur uptake by the leaves and reduced the leaves calcium content. These aspects led to a yield reduction of the blueberry crop. Weather conditions affected the efficiency of the N application method (broadcasted or fertigated). 

 

Key words: Nitrogen fertilization, soil pH, Vaccinium corymbosum.