The nutritional composition of blueberries is closely linked to fruit attributes such as firmness, size, and weight. A balanced nutritional composition, enhanced by crop nutritional management, results in fruits with optimal marketing characteristics and higher market value.

To delve deeper into this topic, a conference entitled "Nutritional composition of blueberry fruits and their relationship with quality attributes: Firmness, size, and weight" was held by Agricultural Engineer M.Sc. Ph.D. Juan Hirzel, researcher of INIA and international consultant.

The presentation of Juan Hirzel It was carried out within the framework of the XXXVII International Seminar Blueberries Trujillo 2025, The presentation by the prominent Chilean professional was one of the most followed by the blueberry industry specialists who attended the seminar.

Soil fertility

There is a direct relationship between the nutritional composition and quality attributes of fruit. In this regard, Hirzel emphasized the importance of soil fertility, as it enables the normal growth, development, and productivity of species.

Hirzel mentioned that soil fertility includes:

Soil physics: mainly effective depth, characteristics of each soil horizon, structure, texture, pore space, pore size, infiltration rate and oxygen movement.

Soil biology: presence of beneficial soil-forming organisms, beneficial in interaction with plant roots, and controllers of plant pathogens.

Soil chemistry: essential nutrients, nutrient availability indicators (pH), indicators of chemical or physiological stress problems (salinity, sodicity, toxicity of metals or harmful elements).

Recommendations

Minimize copper applications (negative effect on fruit firmness, size and weight).

Improve soil oxygenation (the generation of reducing power increases the bioavailability of manganese, decreasing firmness, size and weight of fruits).

Apply quality calcium (calcium salts are highly available and absorbed into the CEC or leached into low CEC soils).

Use organic amendments and beneficial biomass annually to generate oxidation energy, biological activity, pseudo-hormone synthesis, acid metabolism, soil building, aggregate stability and pore space.

Carry out constant foliar applications of amino acids (proline, hydroxyproline, hydroxylysine), algae with auxin and cytokinin effects, silicon, salicylic acid, and other SAR metabolism stimulants.

Ensure correct interpretation of your soil and tissue analyses.

Bet on nutritional management

Proper nutrient application is essential for obtaining high-quality fruit. Good nutritional management can improve the firmness, size, weight, and nutritional composition of blueberries.

Blueberries Consulting Photography – Mr. Juan Hirzel, Agricultural Engineer, M.Sc., Ph.D., INIA Researcher, International Consultant

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