Blueberry cultivation is rapidly expanding due to a dramatic increase in the consumption of the fruit. Soilless substrates have been viewed as a method to increase the production and geographic availability of this fruit. The identification of optimal and alternative substrates for the growth and development of the plants is needed to further guide a new and growing industry. The purpose of this study was to investigate the suitability of aped pine bark substrates amended with coconut coir or wood fiber substrates produced from Pinus taeda for container production of southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium sp.). Plant linears of ‘Star’ blueberry were grown in 7.3-L pots filled with substrates consisting of coconut coir, aged pine bark, and hammermilled wood fiber. These were each amended at three rates (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%). The plants were harvested at 0 days, 70 days, 140 days, and 365 days to assess their growth and development, measuring plant dry weight at each interval. Additionally, the substrate's physical properties, including particle size and air space, were measured during these four periods to determine the degradation and its influence on substrate quality over time. The findings of this study suggest that coconut coir usage can be reduced by using wood fiber or aged pine bark due to the positive effect on early vegetative blueberry growth.
