In his text “Fertilization in blueberries,” researcher Juan Hirzel Campos of the Chilean Agricultural Research Institute (INIA) states that nutritional management is one of the most important factors in cultivation, both in relation to the productivity of each field and the quality of the fruit produced.
There are no recipes
“It is not possible to generalize a recipe for all conditions, since the lack or excess of any nutrient will directly affect the productivity of the field and the quality of the fruit,” he adds, “Therefore, it is necessary to have soil analysis, if possible every 2 to 3 years, and foliar analysis every year, with which the nutritional diagnosis and the fertilization recommendation for that field will be specific and the producer's objective will be met, which is to obtain a higher yield and quality that allows for greater profitability for the crop.”

This and other related topics will be addressed in the talk “Nutritional composition of blueberry fruits and their relationship with agronomic management that improves quality”, on the first day of the XXXIV International Blueberry Seminar which will take place at the Convention Center Lima this 12 and 13 March.
The INIA nutrition specialist warns about the dangers of applying nutrients to blueberry fields using parameters developed in other countries, which do not consider the long post-harvest period that South American fruit in general must endure.

It is still little…
Despite the long history of scientific research into blueberry cultivation and the extensive knowledge that exists specifically in the area of ​​nutrition, “there are still things to be resolved regarding the subject, because the dynamics of the crop forces us to start the chain of knowledge over and over again, so we must be constantly training ourselves in this regard in a responsible manner. In this and in all aspects of cultivation,” he says.

“What we know about nutrition in relation to blueberry cultivation is still very little. Every time we change varieties we have to start studying again, and if we change the cultivation system and go to a more intensive system, or where there is another management technique, we have to study it again. This is not a recipe. There is nothing resolved here. What we do is contribute to progress, but this is a constant challenge,” emphasizes the expert.

Data
In addition to this topic and the way of collecting data that allows establishing the correct management according to the specific reality of each crop and its variety, Juan Hirzel will hold a "Data analysis interpretation workshop: practical example of field experiments”, with the aim of professionalizing the producer's research and the data collection carried out through observation, experience, or the application of technological tools to measure the different facets of crop behavior and that of its edaphoclimatic environment.

In the age of information and digital tools in agriculture, data plays a fundamental role in decision-making. Its value depends on correct interpretation, as an erroneous reading can lead to wrong conclusions and inappropriate decisions. Data interpretation is an essential skill in today's world, where information is abundant but not always clear. Proper interpretation allows the identification of relevant patterns and trends in the behavior of the crop, its variety and its environment, which will allow the producer to make correct and evidence-based decisions.
Both the talk and the workshop by Juan Hirzel are of great relevance to producers and their themes can be explored in detail by those attending the Lima meeting, as the renowned specialist will participate in question rounds and in the Conversation Panel:
"Importance of integrated agronomic management: light, plant nutrition and biostimulation in blueberries”, along with other renowned specialists.

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