In modern production of blueberriesQuality is no longer defined solely at harvest or post-harvest. It is built earlier, from the root, in the plant's physiology and in the agronomic decisions that accompany the entire production cycle.

That was the common thread running through three technical presentations of the XL International Seminar Blueberries Chile 2026Where Antonio Acedo, Gerardo Nunez y Juan Hirzel They addressed, from complementary perspectives, the same challenge: how to maintain productivity and exportable quality in increasingly demanding systems. The common thread among the three presentations was the need to understand cultivation as an integrated system, where root, physiology, nutrition, and biostimulation interact continuously.

Roots under pressure

Antonio Acedo The speaker from Projar focused her presentation on an aspect that is often overlooked: the behavior of the root system in container-grown crops. In these systems, she explained, the roots not only perform an absorption function, but are also conditioned by the substrate and the geometry of the container. Both factors determine the available space, aeration, water retention, and, consequently, the functionality of the root system.

One of the most important issues is premature root aging. When the substrate is poorly structured or the container restricts development, the root system loses functionality prematurely. This condition directly impacts the plant's ability to maintain productivity and quality, because an active and renewed root system is the foundation of a more efficient crop.

Antonio Acedo at the talk "Blueberry root system in containers: influence of substrate and geometry on growth and aging" © Blueberries Consulting

Physiology in equilibrium

From a broader perspective, Gerardo Nunez From the University of Florida, the study addressed the relationship between environment, metabolism, and quality. Its approach focused on how variables such as temperature, radiation, water availability, and agronomic management influence the physiological performance of blueberries in demanding systems.

From this perspective, quality is not seen as an isolated attribute, but rather as the result of physiological and metabolic processes that depend on how the plant interacts with its environment. Firmness, sugar content, acidity, and post-harvest life are all linked to this balance. When this balance is disrupted by stress, improper handling, or physiological limitations, the fruit expresses these differences in its final condition.

Gerardo Nuñez in the talk "Physiological bases of the modern blueberry: Environment-Metabolism-Quality Interaction in high-demand systems" © Blueberries Consulting

Nutrition and biostimulation with a focus on evidence

Juan HirzelINIA researcher, This led the discussion to the need to review current nutrition and biostimulation practices in new varieties. His presentation raised a fundamental question: if plant material has changed and quality standards are increasingly higher, nutritional strategies must also adapt to this new reality.

In this context, Hirzel emphasized the importance of specific diagnostics to determine the plant's actual nutritional status and avoid generalized applications across species, as well as between soil and potted crops. He argued that strategies must be tailored to each production condition and the specific behavior of each variety. He added that genetic material must be backed by external scientific evaluation, conducted by academic or research centers.

Biostimulation, for its part, requires the same level of rigor. Its use must be based on defined objectives and supported by evidence, so that the decision to apply it is technically sound and does not become an automatic practice.

Juan Hirzel at the talk "Nutritional diagnosis and biostimulation in new blueberry varieties: Are we doing the right thing?" © Blueberries Consulting

Productivity and exportable quality

Although approached from different angles, the three presentations converged on the same idea: the exportable quality of blueberry It is built before harvest. A functional root system supports absorption and development; balanced physiology allows for better transformation of available resources; and tailored nutrition favors the expression of varietal potential under specific production conditions. All of this occurs before the fruit enters the final stages of harvest, selection, and shipping.

Beyond the thematic differences between the two presentations, the underlying production principles were consistent. Simply replicating standard practices or applying general formulas is no longer sufficient. The current landscape demands an understanding of how the processes that underpin productivity and quality interact. In an increasingly demanding market, this technical foundation defines the fruit's consistency and its ability to meet the demands of the export business.

More news about the International Blueberries Seminar Chile 2026:

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Stands, meetings and technical conversation: the value of networking at Blueberries Chile 2026

Market, genetics and global competition: the signs for the Chilean blueberry business

Andrés Armstrong: “The Chilean blueberry industry is undergoing a transformation process”

INIA warns of a new stage for the blueberry industry: focus on quality, efficiency and differentiation

International Blueberry Seminars 2026: Blueberries travel through Peru, Chile, Mexico, Morocco and China

Check out the summary of the XL International Blueberries Seminar Chile 2026 on our YouTube channel Blueberries TV