Blueberries Consulting added new scientific studies to its technical library during February and March, now available for download in the Studies section. The selection brings together evidence related to challenges that currently affect competitiveness. blueberry, such as maintaining post-harvest condition, refining field management strategies, and supporting decisions with measurable and comparable information.

This addition complements a library that, with more than a decade The content includes information on agribusiness and marketing, blueberries and health, quality and post-harvest, physiology and genetics, pests and diseases, agricultural chemistry, irrigation and water management, soils and substrates, sustainability and environment, as well as technology and innovation, among other topics.

The documents are located in the Studies section of the siteTo access each file, the user enters an email address in the corresponding field and the download is enabled.

Why they are worth reviewing

These eight studies provide applicable evidence for decisions at different points in the industry. blueberryIn the field, they help to compare biostimulation strategies, production system management, and nutritional diagnosis. In post-harvest and processing, they provide evidence and criteria to maintain firmness, reduce deterioration, and preserve quality attributes during storage or freezing.

Furthermore, its interpretation allows one to identify which variables are being measured and under what conditions certain results are obtained, a key point for producers, advisors and quality and export teams who need to translate evidence into validations by zone, crop and commercial objective.

The update also highlights the contribution of academia to R&D&I in the sector. Research conducted by universities and specialized centers provides methodologies, results, and new questions that can be translated into local trials, improved management practices, and technological solutions when aligned with the needs of the production system.

Studies added in February

Foliar biostimulation and nutraceutical quality

A study evaluated pre-harvest foliar applications of Ecklonia maxima extract and glycine betaine, showing cultivar- and dose-dependent responses. The work reinforces the importance of interpreting biostimulation with a technical approach: the results vary depending on genetics, quality objectives, and seasonal conditions, so its value lies in guiding trials and making minor adjustments to management programs.

Melatonin and cold firmness maintenance

Another study explored the use of melatonin as an alternative for preserving quality during low-temperature storage. The results point to an effect on firmness and overall condition, linked to cell wall processes. For post-harvest and export teams, this line of research is relevant because it connects commercial indicators with physiological mechanisms that can be monitored and compared to local trials.

Exogenous betaine glycine and postharvest shelf life

This study analyzed postharvest applications of glycine betaine and reported reduced deterioration and physical damage, along with increases in firmness and soluble solids. Furthermore, it proposes a consistent explanation based on antioxidant capacity and the maintenance of the fruit's energy metabolism during storage, which helps explain why shelf life might be extended.

Potassium in soil vs. potassium in leaf

A study in commercial fields evaluated the relationship between soil potassium and foliar potassium, concluding that there is no direct correlation between the two. The practical implication is clear: soil potassium alone is insufficient to diagnose the plant's nutritional status, reinforcing the role of foliar analysis for more precise and efficient input use decisions.

Studies added in March

Pollination: Floral signals and bumblebee response

The research analyzed volatile compounds emitted by flowers of blueberry and evaluated its relationship with responses in bumblebees. The contribution, from applied outreach, is to provide evidence to understand which crop signals might influence pollinator attraction and how that evidence can guide new tests and more efficient pollination strategies.

Freezing: ultrasound and magnetic field to preserve bioactives

Another study explored combinations of ultrasound as a pretreatment and magnetic field-assisted freezing, focusing on preserving compounds of interest and supporting antioxidant capacity, according to the evaluated indicator. For processors and development teams, the value lies in providing an innovation pathway for evaluating freezing technologies with quality indicators that can be compared across methodologies.

Crop system and agrotextile: impacts on size and quality attributes

A study compared planting systems and the use of agrotextile (mulch), with results that depended on the cultivar. The message is especially useful for investment and management decisions: the combination of raised beds and agrotextile can modify fruit size and some quality parameters, but its performance is not universal and must be interpreted according to the genetics, the site, and the commercial objective.

Dormancy and flowering: ethephon to modulate budding in warm winters

In a context of warmer winters, a study evaluated the use of ethephon to delay dormancy release and modulate bud break. The study reports delaying effects without significant negative impacts on quality and proposes a physiological basis for understanding the phenomenon. This is a relevant approach for growers and consultants facing changes in phenological synchrony and risks of disruption to the production calendar.

With the dissemination of these studies, Blueberries Consulting reinforces its purpose of sharing specialized knowledge and providing useful scientific and technical evidence for producers, advisors, technicians and professionals in the field.

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