Lifetime Biomass Partitioning and Yield Component Relationships in the Highbush Blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum L. (Ericaceae)

The proportion of annual biomass production allocated to various vegetative and reproductive tissues was measured in differently aged individuals of Vaccinium corymbosum from native populations in southern Michigan. The relationship between age and allocation was determined and a lifetime pattern of biomass partitioning was developed. The proportion of biomass allocated to reproduction was higher than many have predicted for woody species, and the relationship between age and reproductive effort did not conform to optimality models. In addition, reproductive performance was not affected by previous growth or reproduction. The basis of this complex reproductive behavior was examined by quantifying the relationships among components of reproduction. In general, yield components behaved independently within a season. A high potential reproductive effort coupled with yield component independence may be an adaptation to fluctuating environments.