Researchers advise growers to install netting and polytunnels, and to prioritise heat-resistant varieties
A study by Chilean academics has sounded the alarm of the potential negative impacts of rising temperatures on the country’s berry production.
As producers brace themselves for the arrival of what is being termed “El Niño Godzilla”, the joint investigation by the CREAS Technological Centre and the Austral University of Chile warns it could lead to critical alterations in natural ripening cycles.
The weather phenomenon is expected to bring warmer temperatures and short periods of intensive rainfall, particularly in south-central Chile where a big portion of the country’s berry production is found.
The study identified several disorders associated with extreme heat. In the case of blueberries – which account for the bulk of Chile’s fresh berry exports – high temperatures can cause necrosis, fruit wrinkling, and a reduction in soluble solids, factors that affect both visual quality and nutritional property of the fruit.
The researchers warn that these effects could intensify in increasingly warmer climate scenarios, impacting berry production in different regions of the country.
To mitigate the risk of heat damage, the study suggests growers install photoselective shade netting and plastic tunnels and prioritise cultivars with greater heat tolerance.
Researcher Lida Fuentes commented: “The research emphasizes the urgent need to deepen our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying these disturbances and to develop more effective mitigation strategies.
“These findings underscore the critical importance of adapting agricultural practices to meet the challenges that climate change presents to domestic berry production”.
