Varieties such as Mágica and the Sekoya group have led the expansion of planted hectares in Peru, gradually replacing traditional varieties such as Biloxi. This change is mainly due to their greater production efficiency and lower nutritional requirements.
What explains the leadership of these new genetics? According to Sebastián Ochoa, director of CASM Blueberries and founder of Blueberries News, one of their main advantages is related to their nutritional requirements. “The great advantage of the new varieties we are working with is that their nutritional requirements are quite low. Mágica, in particular, requires much less fertilizer compared to older varieties,” he explained.
The specialist added that CASM Blueberries has been conducting trials since 2015, progressively reducing fertilizer concentrations without affecting yields. “We started out using the same concentrations as for older varieties, but over time we realized that we could reduce them and still obtain the same yields, even with increases in quality. It is a variety that requires less fertilizer,” he said.
Another advantage of Mágica is its greater tolerance to ammonium compared to older varieties such as Ventura. “This allows for larger fruit, more active plants, and a lower risk of softening,” he said.
Sekoya Pop, meanwhile, tolerates higher levels of ammonium, which allows for larger, firmer fruit. “This characteristic is also seen in new varieties from the Driscoll’s group, as well as in genetics such as Rosita, which do not require high fertilization programs,” he noted.
Ochoa also pointed out that Sekoya Pop’s nutritional requirements are similar to those of traditional varieties. “Pop requires more fertilizer than Mágica and has a higher demand for magnesium. That’s why we maintain a lower calcium-magnesium ratio and apply magnesium exclusively during certain periods, to keep the plant active and prevent deformities,” he explained.
Ochoa warned that varieties such as IQ and some from Planasa are more susceptible to softening, so ammonium management must be more careful. However, he pointed out that, in general, the new varieties most commonly planted—such as Magica, Grupo, Sekoya, Driscoll’s Group, and MBO (Eureka)—are vigorous and hardy, allowing for reduced fertilization without sacrificing quality.
Most common nutrition mistakes
Over-fertilization is one of the most common mistakes in Peru. “The concept of luxury consumption is lost: an additional unit of fertilizer is added per hectare without obtaining increases in production or quality. There is no economic return,” explained Ochoa.
The advisor explained that, except for potassium—which does not cause direct toxicity—all nutrients can cause poisoning if applied in excess, as well as creating imbalances with other ions. “It is also common to find programs with excess nitrogen, which increases susceptibility to diseases and pests such as fungi, thrips, and mealybug,” he added.
Another common mistake is incomplete programs, where certain nutrients are only applied at specific stages of cultivation. “In Peru, the soil does not provide nutrients; the sand is inert. Unlike Chile, where there are organic soils that continue to provide nutrients, here everything must be applied via irrigation. In hydroponic systems, all essential macro and micronutrients must be included in every irrigation,” he emphasized.
Ochoa emphasized the importance of having a solid understanding of crops and agricultural chemistry in order to design efficient fertilization plans. “Our clients follow these recommendations and have had great success in terms of production and quality. The fields we advise are in very good condition,” said the director of CASM Blueberries, which advises 70% of Peru’s blueberry production.
Nutritional adjustments based on plant health and irrigation water
The specialist explained that certain phytosanitary problems may require adjustments to nutritional plans, especially in relation to nitrogen. “The more nitrogen, and especially ammonium, that enters the plant, the greater its susceptibility to diseases and pests,” he said.
In valleys such as Ica, Paiján, Olmos, and Piura, greater pressure from powdery mildew and thrips has been observed, requiring careful management of nitrogen levels to avoid economic damage. Ochoa also highlighted the importance of analyzing irrigation water before designing a nutritional program. “There are areas where the water provides more calcium, others where it has more sodium. Fertilization plans must be adjusted according to what the water provides and not be standard programs,” he said.
Ochoa stated that nutritional programs have not changed in essence, but genetics have. “Thanks to more productive, vigorous, and rustic varieties, today we can use less fertilizer and obtain the same results, even with significant savings. In some cases, certain varieties may require a little more calcium, but in general, efficiency is much higher,” he concluded.
