About this badge
The Online Blueberry Physiology, Production Systems & Management course was designed to start with development of an in-depth knowledge of blueberry plant physiology and growth to teach participants to understand how plants respond to weather/climate, pests, and production practices. Each subsequent week participants built upon this information, providing practical knowledge on blueberry cultivars, planting design, establishment, production systems, pruning, and pests. They engaged with the instructor(s) and peers through the discussion board. Students accessed 3 to 4 hours of lectures per week in this 6-week course and completed one or more quizzes per week.
Participants in the course learned the following:
- Blueberry plant physiology and how they grow
- Blueberry species & types and where different cultivars are adapted
- Site selection and preparation
- Planting design for hand and machine harvest
- Irrigation system design and management
- Organic amendments - the good and the bad
- Mulches and impacts on weed management
- Nutrient management before and after planting
- Pruning from planting through maturity, considering harvest method and cultivar differences (videos will be used to highlight pruning plants of different ages and cultivars)
- Methods of fruit harvesting
- Physiological problems
- Insects, diseases nematodes, and viruses - symptoms, life cycles, and tools for pest management
