The use of substrates has been fundamental in the cultivation of berries in Morocco. For blueberry cultivation specifically, the use of coconut fiber or peat has created an optimal environment for production, controlling aeration and the retention of water and nutrients, resulting in higher crop yields. Thus, Morocco has made great strides in this industry, and optimizing production processes will be the key focus in the coming years.

“The population is expected to increase by more than 40% in the coming decades, approaching 10 billion people by 2050. Under these circumstances, crop yields and production efficiency will need to be increased to meet the food demand of an ever-growing population. Therefore, there is a need to develop crops that use nutrients more efficiently,” the report notes. Dr. María del Carmen Salas Sanjuán, coordinator of the Master's Degree in Mediterranean Greenhouse Horticulture at the University of Almería, and also directs the Specialist Course in Hydroponics and Soilless Cultivation at the same institution.

The use of substrates or the implementation of hydroponic techniques go hand in hand with the quest to optimize berry production processes, as they allow cultivation in small spaces and controlled environments, offering high-quality harvests year-round and controlling resource use.

More efficient crops

Achieving more efficient crops is a combination of factors that producers must address by implementing precision agriculture, which allows them to measure the efficiency of fertilizers and biostimulants, and ensure proper irrigation management.

In this sense, Dr. María del Carmen Salas will be in charge of the presentation “Fertigation management strategies for soft fruit crops: how to avoid salinity in the substrate” which will take place in the 2025th International Seminar on Red Fruits, Morocco XNUMX by Blueberries Consulting.

Irrigation strategies for soft fruit crops using drainage analysis involve measuring the different variables of drainage volume, pH, conductivity, and nutrients to adjust the nutrient solution, prevent salt buildup, and control water stress in plants.

Drainage monitoring also allows for adjusting the frequency and quantity of irrigation to improve production and achieve greater water use efficiency, especially in substrate crops.

Outstanding specialist

María del Carmen Salas has focused her academic and research activities on hydroponics and soilless cultivation techniques, with a special emphasis on water management and fertigation.

She is a professor and coordinator of the Master's Degree in Mediterranean Greenhouse Horticulture at the University of Almería, Spain. This university is known for its excellent teaching quality and international recognition in the agri-food and environmental fields. It is an elite university for studies related to intensive agriculture and its technologies.

Photography Blueberries Consulting

María del Carmen Salas is also the director of the Continuing Education Certificate in Blueberry Production, organized by Blueberries Consulting and the University of Almería.

International Seminar Morocco 2025

There are only a few days left until the 2025th International Seminar on Red Fruits, Morocco XNUMX which will take place on Wednesday September 10 at the Hotel Royal Tulip City Center, in the city of Tangier.

If you'd like to be part of this important event, you can purchase your ticket and inquire about available sponsorships by writing to contacto@blueberriesconsulting.com or calling WhatsApp at +56 93469 3871.

Or, click HERE to purchase tickets