Many of the technical innovations that are applied in the cultivation of blueberries in the different regions of the world have been discovered thanks to the research of Bernadine Strik, and she has achieved them as a result of her multiple experiments and the close relationship she has had with the producers. directly on the farms, living the experience of working in the field, constantly asking and questioning traditional practices or ancient customs.

A farewell that tastes like a tribute

At the time of his departure from the first line of research and science applied to the crop due to his retirement, in Oregon Blueberry published a beautiful note entitled: "A legacy like no other in blueberries", collecting his extensive contribution to the development of the industrial cultivation of blueberries in recent decades.

Today, blueberries are not only grown on almost all continents, but in a very modern and technologized way, using novel technical resources and innovative agricultural systems, many of which are applied after being discovered by Bernadine's research. .

Density, productivity and health

Following Bernadine's research work and her applied discoveries, blueberries are grown at a higher density, at a distance of 0.75 meters between plants, on ridges. In addition to the use of conduction systems to keep them upright, facilitating mechanized or manual harvesting and a better use of production, by avoiding the spillage of fruit that occurred at ground level with fallen plants. It is also due to the universal use of organic mulch and / or covers for weed control and innovations in fertilization applications and new techniques in plant pruning.

As a result of these managements and new techniques discovered in connection with Bernadine's research work, yields have increased dramatically over time, as a result of changes in plant density, innovative and better pruning and fertilization practices that Bernadine has developed. incorporated into the industry.

His work has also collaborated with the expansion of organic farming in Oregon, because the surface of this type of handling has increased more than ten times over time, reaching 20% ​​of the total today.

An economic approach

Bernadine Strik will retire at the end of 2021, but her legacy will remain for a long time in the different areas of the crop in which she intervened with her creativity, scientific rigor and innovative spirit, work that has also been gravitant for the profitability of the crop, due to that he has always protected the economic or cost factor in his research projects by suggesting some of the practices he has analyzed.

“When you share these findings with producers, for me, cost-benefit is very important and that has been a kind of signature of the research that I have directed (…) I have always been very interested and enthusiastic about sharing our findings and the Findings from others in field days, workshops, publications and the online Blueberry course, which has been very popular, ”he says.

An absence that will remain present

In February 2020 she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, for which she has been undergoing treatment since then. “Needless to say, it's a scary disease,” she said, “so far so good. I have always been an optimistic person and I continue to be. "It helps me feel great," she said, adding that cancer is in no way hastening her retirement.

On the other hand, he explains that he doesn't want to be one of those professors who retires and says “I wish I had done this or I wish I had posted this,” so he's been working at full speed for a long time, “and it's time to take a I breathe and enjoy even more special moments with my husband, Neil, and our daughters, Shannon and Nicole, ”she confesses.

When Bernadine Strik retires on December 31, we can assure that her work and contribution to the blueberry industry will be a legacy difficult to match for other researchers and her absence will surely keep her much more present in the great blue landscape of cultivation in the world.