The berry industry has experienced exponential growth in various countries, adapting successful production models in different regions. However, what works in one country does not necessarily guarantee the same result in another.
In recent years, we have seen many companies try to replicate agronomic strategies from countries like Chile and Peru in Mexico, with results far below expectations. This has led to a series of production issues that directly impact the profitability and sustainability of crops.
The Mexican agronomic consultant Clemente Sandoval recently shared his experience in an insightful article published on LinkedIn, which we report below.
Why agronomic management is not universal in berries?
After many years of observation, study, and practice, I have understood why these approaches do not work the same way in every region. My experience has allowed me to travel to various countries in North and South America, carefully observing how berries respond differently to the same nutritional treatments depending on local conditions.
Many foreign colleagues I have worked with struggled to understand this, and for a while, I did too. However, after years of analyzing the interaction between environmental and agronomic factors in different contexts, I came to the conclusion that plant nutrition is not universal but must be adapted to the specific conditions of each region.
Today, I want to share this knowledge with the berry industry because this sector has given me everything. I am one of the pioneers in the industry and have witnessed its evolution over the past decades. Sharing knowledge is the best way to strengthen it, because if we do not all row in the same direction, the industry could face significant challenges in the future.
Key factors influencing berry nutrition and development
1. Temperature
Temperature is one of the main factors determining the rate of nutrient absorption and transport within the plant. Each element has a different absorption dynamic depending on the ambient temperature.
Take calcium as an example. It is a nutrient transported through the plant's transpiration flow, meaning it moves along with water. In warm areas, transpiration is higher, and as a result, calcium moves more easily.
However, in cold regions where transpiration is reduced, calcium mobility decreases dramatically, potentially leading to deficiencies that can compromise fruit firmness and cause malformations in new leaves.
Potassium is also heavily influenced by temperature. In cold climates, it plays a key role as a regulator of plant metabolism, helping maintain photosynthetic activity and reducing damage caused by low temperatures. In warm climates, on the other hand, potassium is crucial for regulating water within the plant, preventing dehydration and heat stress.
For this reason, using the same nutritional strategies in regions with different climates can cause significant imbalances in nutrient absorption.
2. Altitude
Altitude is closely related to temperature but also affects oxygen availability in the soil and plant respiration. In higher-altitude regions where temperatures are lower, microbial activity in the soil decreases, affecting nutrient mineralization and its availability to the plant.
For example, in high-altitude areas, soils tend to retain less available nitrogen, requiring adjustments in dosage and sources of this element to prevent deficiencies. In lower, warmer areas, nitrogen mineralization is faster, which can lead to excess availability, promoting excessive vegetative growth at the expense of fruit production.
3. Latitude
Latitude affects the photoperiod, or the number of daylight hours a plant receives throughout the year. In regions near the equator, the photoperiod remains stable, with minimal seasonal variation. However, at higher latitudes, the difference between short winter days and long summer days can be extreme.
This variation directly impacts plant growth and nutrient distribution. During longer days, photosynthetic activity is at its peak, allowing the plant to absorb more nutrients. Conversely, during shorter days, photosynthesis slows down, and nutrient demand changes accordingly.
4. Humidity
Relative humidity influences plant transpiration and, consequently, nutrient absorption. In high-humidity areas, transpiration is lower, and elements such as calcium may not be transported adequately. In drier areas, on the other hand, transpiration is high, leading to increased water demand and potential imbalances in mineral absorption.
A clear example is boron, a micronutrient essential for cell division and fruit development. In arid regions with high transpiration, boron moves more rapidly within the plant, whereas in humid areas, deficiencies may occur due to reduced transpiration.
5. Radiation
Solar radiation has a direct impact on photosynthesis and plant metabolism. Excessive radiation can cause oxidative stress, tissue damage, and lower efficiency in nutrient absorption. In such cases, the use of natural antioxidants and sun protectants can help mitigate the negative effects.
Moreover, elements like silicon and calcium have been shown to be crucial in protecting against radiation damage. They strengthen cell walls and reduce chlorophyll degradation, allowing the plant to maintain photosynthetic activity even in high-radiation conditions. Implementing nutritional strategies that include these elements can make a difference in crop resilience and productivity.
Conclusion
All these factors must be considered when designing fertilization programs for berries. This is why agronomic plans must be adapted to each region rather than simply copied from other countries without thorough analysis.
I firmly believe that sharing this knowledge is essential for the industry's continued growth. At Potencia Agro, we have studied and applied these concepts in various projects, adjusting strategies for each area to maximize productivity. The solution is not to copy existing strategies but to truly understand what each plant needs based on its environment.
Source: LinkedIn
