Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding 2025, Vol.15, No.4, 138-146 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/tgmb 141 2022; Li et al., 2024). Studies have found that vinegar residue can improve soil nutrients and microbial diversity more effectively than pine bark. 4.3 Selection of acid-tolerant rootstocks and cultivars The adaptability of different blueberry varieties to pH varies. Some varieties, such as ‘Chaoyue No.1’ and ‘Briteblue’, can grow well even in soil with a relatively high pH, indicating that they have a certain alkali tolerance (Jiang et al., 2019; Yang et al., 2022a; Yang et al., 2022b). By breeding such varieties with high pH tolerance or choosing appropriate rootstocks, blueberries can adapt to more soil types and be cultivated more flexibly. 4.4 Precision liming and monitoring to correct over-acidification If the soil pH is too low (below 4.0), it will also affect the growth of blueberries. At this point, a small amount of lime (such as calcium carbonate) can be used to increase the pH to 5.0~5.5, while also supplementing nutrients such as calcium and magnesium. Research shows that as long as the amount is well controlled, lime will not raise the pH too high; instead, it can help blueberries grow better (Schreiber and Nunez, 2021). In addition, the pH of the soil should be checked regularly, and the application of fertilizers and conditioners should be adjusted according to the situation. Only in this way can excessive acidity or nutrient imbalance of the soil be avoided (Douillard et al., 2025). 5 Integrated Soil and Water Management under pH Control 5.1 Irrigation water pH and its role in long-term soil acid-base balance Blueberries are very sensitive to the pH level of the soil. If the pH of the irrigation water is appropriate, it helps maintain an acidic environment around the roots, which can assist it in better absorbing nutrients and promoting growth. The use of pulse drip irrigation (that is, watering in small amounts multiple times) can not only make the soil moisture distribution more uniform, but also control the soil pH more stably, allowing blueberries to grow better, with higher yield and higher utilization rate of water and fertilizer. However, if the pH of the water is too high or the frequency of irrigation and the amount of fertilizer application are unreasonable, it is easy to cause nitrate nitrogen loss and also disrupt the soil acid-base balance (Messiga et al., 2020; Messiga et al., 2021; Guo et al., 2022). 5.2 Interaction between pH and soil microbiota The pH of the soil can also affect the types and activities of microorganisms within it. An appropriate pH makes it easier for beneficial bacteria to grow and is also conducive to the decomposition of organic matter and the nitrogen cycle. The application of organic fertilizer can not only increase the types of microorganisms, but also raise the levels of metabolites such as amino acids, helping the soil provide nutrients better (Tan et al., 2022). Some improvement methods, such as mixing peat with acidified rice husks, can also increase the number of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms and make the nitrogen cycle smoother (Li et al., 2024). In addition, in the intercropping system of blueberries and soybeans, by adjusting soil pH and organic matter content, microbial activity can also be improved and problems caused by continuous cropping can be reduced (Ma et al., 2024). 5.3 Fertilizer formulation and compatibility with pH-sensitive systems Blueberries prefer to absorb ammonium nitrogen. However, if too many acidic fertilizers like ammonium sulfate are applied, the soil pH will drop too low, making it difficult for elements such as calcium and magnesium to be absorbed, and may also cause nutrient deficiency problems (Messiga et al., 2020; Messiga et al., 2021). The use of organic fertilizers or some special compound fertilizers (such as those containing potassium sulfate) can adjust pH while increasing the content of soil organic matter and trace elements, which is beneficial to the growth of blueberries (Douillard et al., 2025). In addition, the application method of fertilizers is also very important. For example, the effects of drip irrigation and broadcasting are different. The choice should be based on the actual conditions of the soil and blueberries (Figure 2) (Jayasinghege et al., 2024).
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==