The Pacific Northwest region of the United States is known for quality production of blueberries, blackberries, and red raspberries. However, as the climate shifts to warmer, drier, and more extreme summers, growing these water intensive berry crops is becoming increasingly difficult. Furthermore, water regulations within agriculture are becoming more prevalent...
Previous studies indicated that fertigating with nitrogen (N) was more effective than using granular N fertilizers in production of northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). To build on these findings, four studies were conducted in western Oregon to determine whether fertigation was also an effective method for applying other nutrients,...
The goal of the work in this dissertation was to identify alternative soil amendments to improve plant growth and yield during establishment of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium hybrid). Woody materials, such as sawdust and wood chips, have a high carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio and low water holding capacity, which can...
Heat-related fruit damage is a common problem in the northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L). This is particularly true in regions such as the northwestern United States, where summers are warm and dry, and daytime temperature regularly exceeds 32 oC. Millions of dollars of fruit damage are reported in blueberries...
Northern highbush blueberry is a long-lived perennial crop that is well adapted to low soil pH conditions. The plants are often shallow rooted and absorb primarily the ammonium (NH₄) form of nitrogen (N) rather than nitrate-N (NO₃-N). Traditionally, commercial blueberry fields have been irrigated with overhead sprinklers and fertilized using...
Drought and mandatory water restrictions are limiting the availability of irrigation water in many important blueberry growing regions and new strategies are needed to maintain yield and fruit quality with less water. Three potential options for reducing water use, including deficit irrigation, irrigation cut-offs, and crop thinning, were evaluated for...
As blueberry (Vaccinium sp.) production has increased in recent decades, a new interest has developed in the cultivation of blueberry in soilless substrate containers. Historically, blueberry has been propagated and grown in soilless substrate at nurseries, but nursery production is short in duration and plants are small relative to a...
Previous literature consistently demonstrates a link between binge drinking and sexual assault among college students. State alcohol control policies, particularly tax policies, are established as important predictors of college binge drinking but have not been examined in relation to sexual assault. This study used merged data on student demographics and...
Suicide is a leading cause of death amongst adolescents, and transgender and gender diverse youth are at especially high risk for suicidal ideation and attempt compared with cisgender peers. Using established ideation-to-action models of suicide and the Minority Stress Model, this project used the 2019 results of the Oregon Healthy...
Introduction: Potential public health impacts of recreational cannabis legalization (RCL) are a growing concern, particularly for young adults. Some evidence suggests that following RCL, cannabis use increased, whereas alcohol use decreased among young adults. Co-use patterns have not been found to change following RCL in this age group. However, RCLs...