During its participation in the Webinar “Emerging markets”, organized by Agricultural Seminars, the executive of Viveros SunnyRidge, Marcela Zúñiga, announced the launch of four new varieties of blueberries from the TH family, produced in the framework of the prestigious genetic program of the University of Georgia.
These new blueberry varieties have been licensed by the English company Global Plant Genetics and are Highbush varieties with low or very low cold requirements and a shorter harvest period. This makes it possible to take advantage of the best price windows in the market and to reduce harvest costs.
Marcela Zúñiga highlighted that this genetic program has made it possible to obtain varieties with shorter flowering and fruiting periods, which is an advantage in places where there are frosts, and also means that they are less exposed to diseases such as Botrytis, which is very important for the fruit's post-harvest shelf life.
The four TH selections
The license of these four selections has been offered for Peru (the TH944 and TH1321), for Colombia (the TH944, TH1321 and TH1872), and for Ecuador (those of the TH944, TH1321, TH1870 and TH1872).
The TH944 stands out for its very good flavor and large size. “The consumer is looking for a very good taste, especially in the Asian market. These varieties meet that requirement. This one is available for evaluation and testing with selected producers in the territories of Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, and we can be consulted by producers who are interested in conducting tests,” says the executive.
The TH1321, or Sweet Duchess, as it has been named in South Africa, is a variety that needs very little cold and is ready to be shipped to Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. It is the one with the lowest cold requirements of the four and yields a round, very large, crunchy fruit that is also very sweet and has a very small and dry scar. It is an upright growing plant, with a yield of 20 to 25 tons. It is the most firm fruit variety of all and has a very good post-harvest shelf life.
The TH1870 variety stands out for its vigor, size and firmness of the fruit, while maintaining its good flavor, which is what Georgia varieties are known for. It is only available for Ecuador and selected producers will be allowed to test them.
The TH1872, or Gladiator, also needs very little cold and is a vigorous, erect growing plant with a very good productivity. Its fruit is round, sweet, tasty and very large, with an intense blue color and very good bloom.
Source: blueberriesconsulting.com