The XXIX International Blueberry Seminar in Lima, Peru, was characterized by its high attendance and a comprehensive agenda addressing the primary challenges faced by the Peruvian blueberry sector last season. The seminar fostered a dynamic exchange among industry leaders, organization representatives, specialists, and researchers.
Participants unanimously recognized the need to account for the unpredictability of current climate patterns in future planning, emphasizing continuous monitoring of environmental and climatic factors. The discussion frequently circled back to the impact of climate, particularly El Niño, and its influence on temperature. Experts delved into how elevated temperatures affect photosynthesis, leading to reduced yields by impeding the plants' physiological development and reproductive processes. Strategies to mitigate high temperatures, such as the use of shading nets and kaolin-based products, were proposed as essential.
Moreover, the seminar highlighted the significance of adopting new blueberry varieties better suited to withstand extreme climate conditions, indicating a shift away from traditional varieties within the Peruvian industry. The rapid integration of these new genetic varieties was agreed upon as critical for the sector's adaptation to climatic challenges.
Source: blueberriesconsulting.com