One day surpasses the other in the successive presentations and topics that are being addressed in the International Blueberry Month 2021. When we already believed that nothing would surpass the good information and new knowledge provided by the different specialists who have participated in the event, we were faced with a new day as good as the previous, so it is fair to conclude that, despite the pandemic, the work of researchers, experts and academics has shown to continue to develop and advance continuously, which has made this event a privileged tribune to learn about these new studies, analysis and conclusions, very consistent with the continuous improvement process required by the industry.

Science and terrain

The contents of the presentations and talks are abundant in empirical and conclusive data, derived from many trials and studies contrasted or compared by specialists, who in some cases represent or lead numerous work groups, both from academia and the private world.

The genomic aspects of cultivars and their behavior in the face of climatic stimuli, geography, stress or agronomic management, have been thoroughly treated, always applying the scientific method in each and every one of the actions observed and analyzed, in such a way that the data provided has been previously measured, checked and validated.

The vast majority of these results are achieved in field trials, extracted in the field, with the participation of dozens of producers who have collaborated so that the information and knowledge acquired about the crop is increasingly precise and abundant.

Applied Technology

Likewise, the various fruit reactions to multiple preservation technologies in their long journey to their destination they have been exposed in detail and analyzed in depth in each of the related presentations.

Containers, gas injection and extraction, fruit coatings, packaging covers and protection, and many other technologies are not only disclosed, but have also been measured and tested in different varieties and conditions, in such a way that the technical information provided is as complete as possible, which means a great help to a better decision of the producer in his choice or investment.

A comprehensive look

In the second postharvest day, corresponding to Thursday, 12, the teacher's presentation was very relevant Reinaldo Campos, with his holistic view of cultivation, who addressed the multiple aspects related to the firmness and quality of the fruit. His integral vision of management places the emphasis on the interrelation of water and sunlight as the two influencing factors in the plant, and then it is sustained in the combination of the three aspects cataloged as basal for the subsequent result of the fruit, such as germplasm, environment and management. "Only the correct combination or interaction of these three variables can guarantee optimal results in the final quality of the fruit," he emphasizes.

Continuous improvement

For its part, Paula of the Valley made a very complete panning of the different aspects of the postharvest technology, warning that "technology will not improve the quality of the fruit, it only preserves what reaches packing”, Which is why it emphasizes the good practices in pre-harvest and proper management in the orchard as an essential requirement for the good result of the production.

“This is continuous improvement. The postharvest technology industry is evolving and we all have to be moving towards it. As varieties evolve and change, technology must also adapt to these new demands ”.

In this perspective, the specialist, like all the panel participants, calls on producers to participate in the tests and trials of the technologies and validations, “because it is important to evaluate and measure all the things we do to Having data that allows us to achieve this continuous improvement, because without this data it is impossible, and without the support of the producers and exporters that converge in the industry, it would be quite difficult to achieve these advances ”, he concludes and adds:

“We can do many things in the laboratory, but what really tells the truth are the field tests, the tests in the field, in commercial conditions of transit, which will give us the guidelines to be able to move forward ”, he concludes.

El International Blueberry Month face your last week with two other days dedicated to the different technical and commercial aspects of the crop Tuesday 17 and Thursday 19, in which you can participate by entering the following button: