The history of the blueberry is a fast story full of very diverse landscapes. In a very few years, its presence and consumption spread from some areas of North America to almost the entire planet, and in the case of the tall bush blueberry, in little more than 40 years it traveled from temperate climates of more than 1000 cold hours to cultivars inserted in tropical and subtropical climates, without cold hours.

This is the product of the study and research of many, together with the development of diverse practices and innovative cultural conditions. It is the result of multiple management techniques and various technologies. The road has been full of mistakes and failures, of starting and starting over, because nothing has been easy.

BLUEBERRIES - BLUEBERRIES

The research must have been constant and widely expanded in scope and depth, together with it, multiple articles and meetings have been carried out to exchange various experiences, which has produced a wealth of knowledge about the secrets of the crop. But this rich knowledge is unfortunately very scattered, and this is the great value of the BLUEBERRIES book, because it gathers the most relevant information and orders it at the service of the reader.

The information available to those involved in blueberry research, cultivation or marketing is not only or has been widely dispersed, but is often difficult to access or interpret.

This book brings together the experience of the authors and several dozen collaborators in the cultivation and research of the various aspects of the tall bush blueberry, and was developed to introduce readers to the current state of knowledge about science and its management.

The most complete

Its authors, Jorge Retamales and James F. Hancock, are scientific academics and researchers with long experience and international recognition and their work is considered the most complete existing, and from now on it will be available in its Spanish version, distributed exclusively by Blueberries Consulting for Latin America.

The work covers the main topics of interest to producers and different actors involved in blueberry production, including botany, physiology, nutrition, growth regulation, photosynthesis, environment, weeds, pests, diseases, and postharvest management, among others. . The text also provides information on related species, becoming an important resource for soft fruit researchers, extension workers, academics, breeders, farmers, and students.

Two hemispheres of the planet

Professor Jorge Retamales told us about the origin of the initiative, explaining that “the technical books that were available on blueberries were not of quality or were not updated. The blueberry industry has changed a lot in the last 20 years with the incorporation of new productive zones (Peru, Morocco, Mexico, etc.), new varieties, new management and cultivation methods. It was necessary to improve the availability of reliable technical information for the industry ... "

What experiences are recorded on your pages? 

• Both authors complement each other in the growing area: the northern hemisphere in the case of Dr. Hancock and the southern hemisphere in my case. There is also thematic complementation: improvement, varietal development, growth and development, in Hancock's case, and physiology, nutrition, growth and development, in my case.

Why do you have to read it? 

• It would be a good read for anyone seriously interested in the physiology or production of blueberries. This is because the response of the plant to different environmental and management conditions is explained; In addition, the main characteristics of the varieties are presented, both consolidated and of recent appearance. Along with this, the effects of pre-harvest management (irrigation, nutrition, pruning, etc.) on the yield and quality of fruit at harvest and post-harvest are explained.

In their work, the authors thank the encouragement and help of many of the people who made the work possible, including the University of Talca, their own families, and the collaboration of more than thirty researchers of different nationalities and disciplines. , that from the academy and science contributed in this text, as Pilar Bañados, from the PUC; Eric Hanson, Rufus Isaacs, and Randy Beaudry of Michigan State University; Reinaldo Campos from the Andrés Bello University; Bill Cline and Scott NeSmith, University of Georgia; Bruno Defilippi from INIA, among others.

Further information: contact@blueberriesconsulting.com / contact@agriculturalseminars.com or contact us at +56 9 3469 3871

The book in its Spanish version is distributed exclusively by Blueberries Consulting for all of Latin America and can be purchased at the following link