Five blueberry selections are undergoing trials in Southern Africa as part of ongoing evaluations to assess their performance in various growing regions and climatic conditions. Results from these trials are expected to guide future cultivation strategies for blueberry farming in the region.
Evaluation of Blueberry Selections in Southern Africa
At Fall Creek Connect in Paarl, Jeán Kotzé highlighted preliminary trial data regarding one of the selections, FCM20-002. This specific variety is characterized as a high-yielding Mexican selection with a concentrated harvest period, sweet flavor, and average shelf life. However, the data presented primarily stems from trials conducted in Mexico or Spain, necessitating further validation to ensure the results are applicable to Southern African agricultural contexts.
The ongoing trials compare these new selections against established cultivars, including Apex (FCM14-057), AzraBlue (FCM14-031), and Sekoya Pop (FCM14-052). The selection Ventura is also included in the FCE19-018 trial data to provide a comprehensive basis for comparison.
Fall Creek’s breeding program is robust, making approximately 300 crosses annually, with around 30,000 seedlings entering evaluation each year. Typically, a blueberry variety requires between eight to 15 years to progress from initial crossings to commercial availability, and row trials are essential for evaluating selections in collaboration with growers under local conditions.
Southern Africa offers a diverse set of growing conditions, ranging from near-equatorial climates in Kenya to the cooler Western Cape at latitudes between 32° and 34° south. Kotzé emphasized that results from trials conducted in Mexico or Spain should not be directly assumed to apply to local environments due to these climatic differences.
One of the selections, FCE21-024, has been selectively distributed in Zimbabwe and Kenya, but has not yet been introduced in South Africa. Kotzé noted a more promising potential for this selection in the Western Cape compared to northern regions.
Yolandi Copeland, area sales manager for Southern Africa, emphasized the importance of matching genetics with specific regional characteristics, climate, cultivation systems, and market demands. Fall Creek maintains operations in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Kenya, with initial plants recently arriving in Zambia.
According to Copeland, the opportunity extends beyond increasing blueberry yields; it focuses on growing the right blueberries tailored to the optimal conditions for specific markets.
Andries van Rhyn, operations manager at Fall Creek South Africa, noted that factors such as nursery selection, traceability, and biosecurity are critical to establishing orchards and ensuring their long-term viability. Producing a finished nursery plant typically requires about 14 to 18 months, depending on seasonal variations and available stock.
Why It Matters: The successful evaluation and deployment of new blueberry varieties in Southern Africa can significantly impact local agriculture, offering potential economic benefits and enhancing market opportunities for growers. Understanding and adapting to the specific climatic conditions of the region will be crucial for the long-term success of these trials.
