Álvaro Sánchez, president of the National Association of Producers of Berries of Guadalajara:

01/08/2017

"It is time to evaluate the results of blueberries grown in hydroponics ..."

"There was no time ... I hope that next year it will be two days again”Were the first words of Álvaro Sánchez Saldana, president of the Guadalajara berry producers, once the 6th International Seminar“ Blueberry Industry in Mexico: New Challenges, New Opportunities ”, held on June 8 at the Hyatt Regency Andares of Guadalajara, Mexico.

What was the most attractive part of the seminar for you?

The quality of the rapporteurs, especially the Chileans, I would have liked to have more time to talk with Professor Retamales, for example, on the different issues that he handles regarding the cultivation of berries. Hopefully next year the event will be repeated and will last for two days.

Is there something you missed or would you like to add to another opportunity?

I would like an investigation or evaluation to be included regarding the cultivation of blueberries in the soilless modality, in hydroponics ...

But the subject has been raised ...

True, but we only talk about technological advances, the different types of substrates, how to handle the crop in this modality, but the results have not been talked about after five years adopting this form of cultivation. What happens with the roots, with the productivity, with the life of the plant ... is a relevant issue that it is time to evaluate.

In the new agriculture, which is planned in an industrial way, based on the use of new technologies, extends the concept of agriculture without soil, or hydroponics, as some call it.

The reasons to choose this way of handling crops are several and varied. For example, in Peru, where they can be caused by the low or different quality of their soils, or a better use of water. In Mexico, on the other hand, it can be for the control of weeds or pathogenic diseases of the soil, or in Chile for all the previous ones.

Off-ground agriculture also arises because most agricultural areas are not as productive as they once were, due to lack of water, low soil fertility, space, the effects of Climate Change, etc. . For this reason, technological alternatives have been sought that allow the cultivation of quality products in small or large spaces and that allow the development of productive management efficiently.

That said, it is very true that the modality of cultivation of blueberries without soil, or in hydroponics, is still very young and perhaps no one has reached seven years, which is the cycle that the manufacturers of substrates define as their useful life. products, so it is time to investigate with respect to the advantageous or counterproductive results of this culture modality.

Source: Martín Carrillo O. - Blueberries Consulting