A team of specialists from CONICET, the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), and the National University of the Northeast (UNNE) has published new findings on the reproductive biology of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), a key crop in Argentina. This study, which focuses on embryological processes and pollen development in two cultivars grown in Corrientes and Entre Ríos, combines fundamental research with practical application.
The research team studied the Southern Highbush Blueberry (SHB), specifically the Emerald and Snowchaser cultivars, which are commonly grown in Northeastern Argentina (NEA) because they tolerate low cold conditions. These studies are unique worldwide, as there have been no previous descriptions of the reproductive anatomy of these two cultivars.
The team, consisting of members from the Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste (IBONE, CONICET-UNNE), the Estación Experimental Concordia of INTA, and the Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias of UNNE, developed a detailed scale of seven floral stages, enabling the correlation of the external morphology of the flower bud (such as size and color) with key internal cytological events. This work, published in the scientific journal Horticulturae, aims to provide the fundamental anatomical basis for optimizing crop management and yield.
"This type of study is fundamental for regional and national development," said CONICET researcher Ana María González, director of IBONE and author of the study. "Understanding the plant's sexuality and reproduction provides basic knowledge for developing a crop," she added.
This basic knowledge, the authors emphasize, is essential for determining fruit set and seed quality, processes that are particularly vulnerable to environmental stress. The significance of the research is particularly relevant in the NEA, where productivity can be up to fifty percent higher than the national average.
Argentina employs a strategy of using early varieties, such as SHB, to focus harvesting and exports in September and October. During this period, the country secures the highest international prices, with peaks exceeding 35% of the annual average in September. Consequently, the floral staging framework offers an advanced tool by establishing specific "operational windows" for pollination and pollen handling, thus optimizing the early harvest and high-value export period.
The team will continue this research by examining how the unique environments of Concordia (Entre Ríos) and Bella Vista (Corrientes) influence the reproductive behavior of these plants, fostering an integrated approach that combines basic science, technological advances, and regional production.
Bibliographical references
Recalde, J.M.; Garavello, M.F.; Alayón Luaces, P.; González, A.M. Anther Ontogeny and Pollen Development in Southern Highbush Blueberry(Vaccinium corymbosum L.). Horticulturae 2025, 11, 1278. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11111278
Source: conicet.gov.ar
