Global Plant Genetics reports “ultra-early” production and improved harvest efficiency of its new blueberry variety
Global Plant Genetics (GPG) says recent commercial field visits in the Huelva region of southern Spain have highlighted the strong early-season performance of its early season low-chill blueberry variety, Tropical Blue, with growers reporting a combination of ultra-early production, high early yields and improved harvesting efficiency.
“Across multiple production sites, Tropical Blue is showing extremely early seasonality alongside a high level of precocity, delivering appreciable early yields from plantings now entering their first, second and third harvests. Performance has been consistent in both substrate and soil-based systems, reinforcing confidence in the variety’s adaptability under real commercial conditions,” said GPG director Jamie Petchell.
“Importantly, these results are being achieved in full-scale production fields rather than small trials. Growers report attractive fruit with excellent firmness and shelf-life, supporting early-season marketing programmes where quality and reliability are critical.”
According to Petchell, a key agronomic development observed in Huelva has been the adoption of late-summer “pinching” pruning techniques, typically carried out in August.
Growers using this approach report achieving a more concentrated fruit ripening profile, allowing for a tighter harvest window. “This reduction in the number of picking passes per plant is translating into improved labour efficiency and lower overall harvesting costs – an increasingly important consideration in early-season blueberry production,” he said.
According to GPG, a combination of very early market entry, strong early returns from young plants, and the opportunity to reduce harvest intensity positions Tropical Blue as “a compelling option for professional growers targeting premium early windows while maintaining cost control”.
“As early-season blueberry programmes continue to evolve, varieties that deliver not only earliness, but also operational efficiency are expected to play an increasingly important role in commercial production strategies,” the company said.
