Fruit quality has become one of the primary goals for blueberry growers worldwide. This objective applies equally to both low-chill and high-chill varieties, as the success of an orchard increasingly depends on its ability to produce firm fruit with excellent condition and extended postharvest life.
In this context, one of the most important practices for achieving these results is pruning, a strategic operation that improves plant architecture, renews productive wood, and promotes the development of higher-quality fruit.
According to Simón Muñoz, International Blueberry Production Consultant at CASM Blueberries, pruning is one of the most decisive practices for achieving optimal crop performance.
“Rather than focusing solely on new varieties, we need to understand pruning as a fundamental tool for renewing vegetative growth and optimizing fruit positioning within the plant. A more open canopy allows better light penetration, improves harvesting efficiency, and encourages fruit production on the outer portions of the bush. We should avoid both vegetative growth and fruit development inside the canopy,” he explains.
According to the specialist, one of the main objectives of pruning is to remove unproductive or low-quality wood so the plant can concentrate its energy on structures capable of producing superior fruit.
“We need to remove weak, low-vigor wood and branches with multiple accumulated cuts. Ideally, we should manage plants that require as few interventions as possible. However, pruning strategies vary depending on the variety and the climatic conditions where the crop is grown,” he says.
For high-chill varieties, pruning tends to be more delicate and selective
“In these cases, the goal is to preserve vigorous canes that will support production in the following season while maintaining a balanced plant architecture that enhances both light penetration and air circulation,” Muñoz explains.
By contrast, low-chill varieties, particularly those grown in warm climates, can tolerate much more aggressive pruning.
“A variety such as Sekoya Pop can practically be cut back to ground level. In other words, most of the plant structure is removed, and because it grows under very warm, highly favorable conditions, it can regrow and rebuild the entire plant within four to five months,” Muñoz says.
The situation is quite different in colder regions, such as southern Chile. There, plants require a more conservative pruning strategy focused on preserving the vigorous structures developed during the previous season.
“In colder regions, we must preserve the vigorous wood from the previous season and shape the plant so that the fruit load is positioned toward the outside of the canopy, where it receives adequate sunlight and is easily accessible for harvest,” he adds.
Common pruning mistakes
According to Muñoz, pruning mistakes vary depending on the production region and growers’ level of experience. In areas with a long tradition of blueberry cultivation, such as southern Chile, pruning practices are generally well established. However, other production regions still face significant challenges.
“Growers in southern Chile are already very familiar with orchard management. In places such as Peru, North Africa, and Morocco, pruning mistakes are usually associated with leaving behind weak wood that will not be capable of producing high-quality fruit,” he explains.
The consultant warns that retaining weak or aging branches creates unnecessary competition within the plant and reduces its ability to produce fruit that meets today’s demanding market standards.
Another increasingly important consideration is plant health. “Phytosanitary practices during pruning are essential, especially in varieties grown under high-temperature conditions. In these environments, plants may be more susceptible to disease development. Therefore, disease management must go hand in hand with the pruning strategy,” he says.
Quality over yield
One of the key concepts emphasized by Muñoz is that yield alone does not guarantee profitability. According to him, the real objective should be to produce premium-quality fruit capable of meeting the requirements of export markets.
“We need to understand that yield means nothing without quality. Producing ten kilograms per plant is of little value if only three or four kilograms meet quality standards. In that case, we are losing money and implementing a poor business strategy,” he states.
From this perspective, pruning becomes even more important because it creates the conditions necessary for fruit to achieve superior physiological and commercial quality.
“If we follow this approach, a well-executed pruning program that removes weak vegetative growth and eliminates branches hidden within the canopy will increase the chances of producing higher-quality fruit with better calcium accumulation and, consequently, longer postharvest life,” he explains.
Uniform light exposure, improved air circulation, and a balanced distribution of crop load all contribute to the production of firmer, more uniform fruit capable of withstanding the demands of international supply chains.
Traditional vs. new varieties
Despite the continuous introduction of new genetics into the blueberry industry, Muñoz believes that the fundamental principles of pruning remain largely unchanged. “In general, there are no major conceptual differences in pruning between traditional and new varieties. The main differences are related to chilling requirements and the growth rate that each variety exhibits under different production conditions,” he explains.
“For this reason, rather than focusing exclusively on genetics, growers should adapt their management strategies to the physiological characteristics of each variety and the agroclimatic conditions in which it is grown,” he adds.
Finally, the specialist emphasizes that every agronomic decision should ultimately be aimed at producing high-quality fruit. “We must remember that the market is not concerned with how we produce the fruit. What truly matters is receiving high-quality fruit on the pallet. Regardless of the strategy we use, every management decision should be focused on improving the quality parameters of the final product,” he concludes.
