Growing blueberries where the soil is not naturally suitable is not easy. Many Italian growers know this well, especially in areas of Central Italy where soils tend to be alkaline and therefore not very suitable for blueberry cultivation. For this reason, research conducted in the Marche region offers interesting insights for the sector: soilless cultivation, combined with careful nutrient management, can improve plant growth and productivity.
The study, published in Applied Sciences, examined the behavior of the highbush blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum cv. Duke, one of the most widely grown varieties, cultivated in pots and supplied with three different levels of nutrient solution.
Professor Bruno Mezzetti stressed to Italian Berry the importance of strengthening technical experimentation on blueberries directly on commercial farms, in light of the crop’s growing expansion into increasingly diverse production areas.
According to Mezzetti, “identifying and testing the most effective agronomic solutions across different production contexts is a crucial step in optimizing cultivation systems, while at the same time ensuring quality for consumers and economic and technical sustainability for growers.” He also pointed out that this work helps enhance the professional skills of growers themselves.
The context: growing blueberries even where the soil is not suitable
Blueberries are increasingly appreciated by consumers, both for their taste and for their nutritional and health benefits. From an agronomic perspective, however, they remain a demanding crop: they require acidic, well-drained soils rich in organic matter. When these conditions are not present, cultivation becomes more challenging.
For this reason, researchers evaluated the soilless system as an alternative solution. The trial was carried out in 2020 in Lapedona, in the Marche region, in an area where soils have an alkaline pH and are therefore not naturally suitable for blueberries. Duke plants were grown in containers using a specific substrate for berry crops, allowing growers to overcome the limitations of natural soil.
Three nutrition strategies compared
The objective was to understand which nutrient level could ensure the best balance between plant growth, yield, and fruit quality.
Researchers compared three levels of nutrient solution supplied through fertigation, where nutrient concentration was measured by electrical conductivity (EC):
T1: 790 µS cm−1
T2: 890 µS cm−1
T3: 990 µS cm−1
In practical terms, these represented three different levels of nutritional intensity, ranging from lower to higher supply.
The best result came from the intermediate level
The results showed that the intermediate treatment (T2) was the most effective. Plants displayed more vigorous vegetative growth, with more developed shoots and a greater number of branches and flower buds.
From a production standpoint, T2 also recorded the highest yield, along with larger average fruit size compared with the other two treatments.
One of the most interesting findings was that the highest nutrient dose did not provide additional benefits. When nutrient supply increased further with T3, results did not improve. This suggests that nutritional balance is more important than excessive fertilization in blueberry cultivation.
Another relevant aspect concerns the organoleptic quality of the fruit. The different nutrient levels did not produce significant differences in the main parameters, such as sugar content and acidity.
In other words, moderate nutrient supply increased production without compromising berry flavor, an important factor for growers aiming to balance yield and commercial quality.
Nutritional compounds follow different patterns
From a nutritional standpoint, some interesting differences emerged. Plants that received the lowest nutrient level (T1) showed a tendency toward higher anthocyanin content and greater antioxidant capacity, although without statistically significant differences.
By contrast, treatments with higher nutrient availability favored a higher total polyphenol content. This suggests that nutrient management can influence the different bioactive compounds present in the fruit.
According to the research, soilless cultivation represents a concrete solution for producing blueberries even in areas with non-ideal soils. In the case of the Duke variety, the most effective nutritional strategy proved to be the intermediate one, capable of supporting plant growth while ensuring higher production.
For many Italian areas that are not traditionally suited to blueberry production, this approach could open new production opportunities. However, it should be remembered that the data refer to the first full productive year, so further monitoring over time will be necessary.
An important insight for the future of the sector
At a time when the berry sector is seeking more efficient production models adaptable to different territories, studies like this help identify practical solutions for growers.
The underlying message is simple: even in less favorable environments it is possible to grow blueberries successfully, provided appropriate techniques are adopted. In the case of Duke blueberries grown in soilless systems in the Marche region, the key appears to be well-calibrated, balanced, and carefully managed nutrition.
Source: Mecozzi, F.; Gasparrini, A.; Mazzoni, L.; Marcellini, M.; Balducci, F.; Mezzetti, B.; Raffaelli, D.; Pergolotti, V.; Qaderi, R.; Malavolta, G.; et al. Impact of Fertilization Regimes on the Vegetative Growth, Yield, Organoleptic, and Nutritional Quality of Vaccinium corymbosum cv. Duke. Appl. Sci. 2026, 16, 2167. https://doi.org/10.3390/app16052167
Image source: Antico Pomario
