The adoption of new blueberry genetics in the United States has been more cautious and gradual compared to other blueberry-producing regions around the world, according to Cort Brazelton, board member and shareholder of Fall Creek® Farm & Nursery.
According to Brazelton, this trend is particularly evident in the Pacific Northwest with high-chill varieties. “In this region, the most widely planted variety developed over the past 15 years is Calypso, a selection from Michigan State University (MSU).” He explains that it is an easy-to-grow variety, with good yields and fruit size. “Its firmness and flavor are acceptable, and even superior to Bluecrop, a variety developed before World War II,” he notes.
According to Brazelton, new varieties such as Arabella Blue and Loreto Blue (Fall Creek®), the Berry Blue line from Naturipe/MBG, and selections from Oregon Blueberry Farms and Nursery are already being evaluated and have some commercial plantings.
He also highlighted that Sekoya High Chill varieties are actively scaling in specific projects
Focus on low-chill genetics
In low-chill regions, the dynamics show different nuances. “While there is some presence of proprietary genetics such as MBO, Sekoya, and OZBlu in California and the Southeast, most new plantings are concentrated in the southeastern United States, with a strong focus on varieties developed by the University of Florida, which are gaining traction,” Brazelton explains.
Fall Creek® continues to drive genetic development, highlighting the new selection “Apex 14-057,” which is currently under evaluation in both California and the southeastern United States.
