Potential for Blueberry Growing in Chile

Blueberry Culture in Chile—Current Status, Future Prospects

“…Blueberry development appears to be compressed in Chile, with the cultivars blooming and ripening over a much shorter period than in North America. Bloom dates of 'Earliblue' and 'Jersey' differ by only a few days, and the difference in harvest interval for these two varieties is only a few weeks (Muñoz et al, 1989). In North America, these cultivars are separated by 7 to 10 days at bloom and almost a month at harvest (Hancock et al, 1987).…”

“…The first blueberry plants were imported into Chile from the United States in 1979 by the government research agency, Instituto de Investigaciónes Agropecuarias (INIA). Blueberries have been planted at five INIA research stations (Muñoz et al, 1989). Several INIA scientists are now involved with blueberries, including C. Muñoz (cultivars and micropropagation), A. Campos (economics), A. Lavin (culture and nutrition), and J. Valenzuela (culture and micropropagation).…”

“…Heavy applications of paraquat dichloride have eliminated most weed problems, although herbicide damage to blueberry plants is widespread. Except for the larvae of a native weevil (Aegorhinus supercillosus germari), which has caused root damage in some fields (Muñoz et al, 1989), insect pests have not become a problem, and none of the typical North American insect or mite pests have appeared. Few North American disease problems have emerged, with the exception of Botrytis sp., Phomopsis canker, Pseudomonas syringae, and Phytopthora root rot (Guerrero, 1991;Muñoz et al, 1989).…”