Combined Effects of Biochar and Wood Distillate on Growth, Yield, and Fruit Quality of Soilless-Grown Highbush Blueberry Plants (Vaccinium corymbosum L.).

The global production of blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) has increased rapidly due to rising demand for antioxidant-rich fruits, making this crop increasingly important worldwide. Because blueberries require acidic soils, soilless systems offer a promising alternative by optimizing nutrient availability and reducing soil-related limitations. Among sustainable amendments, biochar (BC) improves water retention, porosity, and microbial activity, while wood distillate (WD), rich in bioactive compounds, can enhance plant resilience and growth. Although often used separately, their combined application may exert synergistic effects on substrate fertility and plant performance. This study investigated the effects of BC and WD, alone and in combination, on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of the ‘Cargo’ blueberry cultivar grown in a soilless system. Two distinct harvests were conducted during the growing season, and statistical analyses were performed independently for each, assessing treatment effects in relation to harvest timing. Moreover, the metabolic activity of the substrate’s microbial community was evaluated to assess the impact of the treatments. Results showed that BC application, particularly at 10%, significantly enhanced plant yield and fruit quality, increasing total phenolic content and antioxidant activity, while WD exhibited variable, dose-dependent effects on growth and biochemical traits, highlighting species-specific responses in soilless blueberry cultivation.