The president of APAMA, Alejandro Pannunzio, announced that the entity obtained public financing for the implementation of the entity's project to develop new varieties of blueberries adapted to Argentine Mesopotamia.
The project hopes to solve the blueberry sector's need for new varieties that adapt to the demand and growing requirements of the export markets to maintain and improve its competitiveness through continuous innovation.
Most of the blueberry varieties grown in the Salto Grande region (the Uruguay River corridor in the provinces of Entre Rios and Corrientes) come from genetic improvement programs in other countries, which present different objectives and partially share local problems.
Details
The crossing and selection process will be carried out under the local climate, soil, water, and biotic environment conditions. Thus, the new varieties obtained will be better adapted to Argentina's Mesopotamia than those that were created in other environmental conditions.
The program will be divided into two six-year stages and APAMA expects to achieve its general objective in approximately twelve years. In the first stage, researchers will identify the varieties they will work with and carry out their respective crosses. The second stage will be fully devoted to the development of the best results obtained for cultivation in the region.
“We have managed to put together all the necessary parts to obtain the product we are looking for: an earlier variety with a longer postharvest life that adapts to the agroecological conditions of the Salto Grande area, taking into account its climatic conditions, so it can arrive in better conditions to the markets after 30 days of navigation; as most of the product is exported by sea,” Pannunzio stated.
Since it is a rainy area, it is necessary to search for early and firm varieties to enter the market between July and August and to last in it until December.
“This guarantees the area will have six months of harvests, and subsequently a six-month demand for suppliers of inputs, such as transportation and packaging, among others. Achieving a variety with these characteristics would give a lot of value and work, generating an export product that provides a greater income of foreign currency,” he added.
"It is very encouraging that the project includes the financing of a doctoral scholarship, the training of human resources is key for sustainable development," concluded Pannunzio.
For more information:
APAMA
Pellegrini 407
Concordia (E.R. Argentina)
Tel.: +54 345 421 4943
www.apama.com.ar