The southeastern United States is a major producer of blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum), however extreme weather events pose significant threats to blueberry production. On September 24, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Georgia, causing substantial damage to commercial blueberry fields, including uprooted or leaning plants, broken branches, and defoliation. Our project examines the effectiveness of staking leaning plants and humic acid application to enhance the recovery of blueberry plants after hurricane damage. Trials were conducted in five commercial sites with three different cultivars: ‘Farthing’, ‘Legacy’, and ‘Optimus’. Treatments included staking of leaning plants and the application of humic acid alone or in combination. Plant physiological responses were assessed using SPAD (chlorophyll content), leaf area index (LAI), chlorophyll fluorescence, and stomatal conductance (Gsw). Preliminary data indicate that staking leaning plants improved light interception, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic efficiency in damaged blueberries. The application of humic acid did not result in enhanced plant recovery beyond staking alone. Root and canopy assessments are ongoing and will help determine whether the practice of staking damaged plants and the incorporation of humic acid contributes to long-term plant recovery. Our study will help blueberry producers implement evidence-based strategies to increase the resilience of blueberry fields following extreme weather events.
