Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding 2025, Vol.15, No.4, 138-146 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/tgmb 138 Research Insight Open Access Yield Response and Cultivation Improvement of Woody Blueberries under Soil pH Regulation Shaomin Yang, Xingzhu Feng, Zhen Li Hainan Institute of Biotechnology, Haikou, 570206, Hainan, China Corresponding email: zhen.li@hibio.org Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding, 2025, Vol.15, No.4 doi: 10.5376/tgmb.2025.15.0016 Received: 15 Jun., 2025 Accepted: 17 Jul., 2025 Published: 25 Jul., 2025 Copyright © 2025 Yang et al., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Yang S.M., Feng X.Z., and Zhen L., 2025, Yield response and cultivation improvement of woody blueberries under soil pH regulation, Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding, 15(4): 138-146 (doi: 10.5376/tgmb.2025.15.0016) Abstract This study mainly discussed the physiological responses of woody blueberries under different pH soils, analyzed the changes in root development, yield, fruit nutrition and trace elements, sorted out some commonly used methods for regulating soil pH at present, such as applying sulfur and peat soil, explored the impact of these regulation methods on soil health and microbial environment, and also introduced some new technologies For instance, real-time pH measurement sensor devices in the fields, diagnosis of soil conditions through remote sensing technology, and some intelligent decision-making systems may all be applied to the precise management of blueberries. This study aims to offer some practical pH control suggestions to blueberry growers, helping them grow blueberries with higher yields and better quality, while also making cultivation more environmentally friendly and sustainable. Keywords Woody blueberry; Soil pH; pH regulation; Fruit quality; Rhizosphere ecology 1 Introduction The roots of woody blueberries are relatively shallow and are very sensitive to the pH level of the soil. Its favorite soil pH range is from 4.0 to 5.5. If the pH rises, blueberries won't grow well. The plant will grow shorter, the main stem will become thinner, the branches will be fewer, the dry weight of the leaves and roots will also decrease, and the overall growth will deteriorate. Meanwhile, the trace elements in the leaves will also be imbalanced, and the photosynthetic efficiency will also decrease (Yang et al., 2022a; Yang et al., 2022b; Bao et al., 2024). In addition, the microorganisms around the roots will also change due to pH changes, thereby affecting the nitrogen cycle and nutrient absorption (Li et al., 2024; Ma et al., 2024). If the soil is slightly alkaline or the pH is not appropriate, blueberries will show a series of problems, such as slow growth, yellowing leaves, reduced yield, and decreased fruit quality (Jiang et al., 2019). In a high pH environment, the chlorophyll in blueberries decreases, photosynthesis weakens, and antioxidant capacity declines. Some varieties may even have physiological problems and die in severe cases (Yang et al., 2022a; Yang et al., 2022b). However, if the soil pH is not well regulated, it will also affect the distribution of the root system and the types of microorganisms, leading to a decrease in the activity of beneficial bacteria, which will further reduce the resistance and yield of blueberries (Wang et al., 2024). This study tested several methods for regulating soil pH to examine their impact on the yield, quality and root environment of woody blueberries, analyzed the physiological response mechanisms of woody blueberries under different PHS, selected some varieties that can adapt to high PHS, and also proposed methods for improving soil and planting management. This study aims to help blueberries grow well and have high yields under different soil conditions, achieving more efficient and environmentally friendly cultivation. 2 Soil pH Requirements and Constraints in Blueberry Production 2.1 Optimal soil pH range for woody blueberries Woody blueberries (such as highbush blueberries and rabbiteye blueberries) are crops that love acidic soil very much. Its favorite soil pH is mostly between 4.0 and 5.5. Some varieties have stricter requirements. For instance, Blomidon is most suitable for pH values ranging from 4.0 to 4.5, while Northcountry is suitable for pH values
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