The importance of the root-soil-substrate relationship to understand blueberry development and improve its productive efficiency

Leading speakers are giving lessons on the relevance of this relationship during the development of the professional programs organized by Blueberries Consulting and the University of Almería.

31/10/2022

Since last Wednesday, October 26, students of the International Diploma program in Conventional Production and Soilless Cultivation in Blueberries, and the course with the highest academic degree, International Expert Level in Blueberry Irrigation and Nutrition, have access to module 3, common for both programs.

These virtual professional courses are organized by the University of Almería, a renowned Spanish institution, together with Blueberries Consulting, an international company with a long history of generating and disseminating technical and commercial information on the export of fresh blueberries.

In this section of the curriculum, called "Characterization of substrates and their use in blueberries" reviews important information about root systems and their relationship with the substrate, to then delve into different trials with blueberries and their results.

Substrate characterization: types, preparation, uses and recommendations

It is the title of the first sub-module reported by Dr. Adolfo López Fabal, professor at the University of Santiago de Compostela.

“(The substrate) is any solid medium that is used to grow plants in containers. Understanding a container as a container of limited volume”, the rapporteur begins his talk to introduce his first exhibition.

The academic and researcher begins by defining what the substrate is and then evaluates the effect of its physical, chemical and biological properties on plant growth. Within his presentation, he provides information on the differences between soil and container cultivation, and which are the variables that must be taken into account for an adequate development of the plant in the latter system.

"It is important to know the properties of the substrate to be able to adapt the management of the crop and irrigation, of ferti-irrigation to these properties, and achieve the success of that crop," concludes Dr. López Fabal.

In a second block, it delves into the types of substrates (organic and mineral) and the stages of their preparation: stabilization of organic matter, correction of physical and chemical properties, disinfection, realization and behavior of mixtures.

Experiences with the use of substrates in the production of blueberries. Substrates and their relationship with other productive factors.

Pedro Bràs de Oliveira, researcher at the National Institute of Agrarian and Veterinary Research of Portugal, opens the second sub-module delving into the subject, reporting on trials of different mixtures of substrates in blueberries and their results on plant height, foliage, quantity and quality of its fruit. He also exhibits the results of tests that seek to understand the influence of the size of the containers in the cultivation of blueberries in substrate on the physical and chemical characteristics of the plant.

Antonio Alba Rodríguez exposes his experience from the private world as technical director of Grupo FICO. The engineer exposes on mixtures of substrates according to the type of blueberry cultivation that is sought to be carried out. Subsequently, he details the different products that can be obtained from coconut fiber and their differences in physical and chemical characteristics, which are very important when making commercial decisions. Finally, he reviews the relationship between variables such as substrate, container size, irrigation techniques, drainage, aeration, among others, very important practical data that affect blueberry growth.

To finish the second sub-module, Álvaro Villalba, Hortifrut's Business and Genetics Development Director EMEA, talks about the different blueberry cultivation systems: pots, gutter, plastic bags, mesh and soil, and the use of different types of substrates in each system. In addition, he makes a quick review of the markets, industry and production systems in the world.

The root systems of blueberry plants in conventional and soilless cultivation.

This section is opened by Professor and Doctor of the University of Florida, Mr. Gerardo Nuñez, who describes the anatomy, morphology and phenology of blueberry roots, and then goes deeper into the impact of water potential and water absorption, environmental factors and the impact of mycorrhizae on the condition of the root system of blueberry plants.

Dr. David Bryla, from the Horticultural Crop Production and Genetic Improvement Research Unit in Corvallis, Oregon, USA, delves into information on the distribution of roots, their development according to season and production system (organic, conventional , types of fertilizers, among others), with a focus on the benefits of mycorrhizae.

“Knowing the root-substrate processes is the key to predicting the growth and production of the crop”, explains Amelia Correa Bustos, Agricultural Engineer and Master of the University of Almería, in her presentation.

In charge of closing module 3, Amelia reviews the nutritional information of the blueberry exposed in the previous modules to highlight the importance of understanding its root system and delve into methodologies to analyze and measure the roots of the plant.

The virtual program has been developed without problems, highlighting the attendance of the students at each day, the quality of the speakers and their contents.