According to the Frutas de Chile Blueberry Committee, the Chilean blueberry sector is testing regenerative practices to improve soil health and reduce production costs. The industry group has completed the first year of pilot projects focused on regenerative fruit production in the southern and south-central regions, with support from the regional development agency Corfo in Ñuble and Biobío. The trials were conducted in two orchards with soils poor in organic matter, specifically compacted sandy-loam soils in Ñuble and sandy soils in Biobío. Field demonstrations organized on farms in Portezuelo and Los Ángeles showed the impact of the management changes introduced during the project. These included the application of compost, biological activation of the soil, and intercropping to improve soil structure and nutrient availability. After 14 months of work, preliminary results indicate an improvement in fruit quality and the restoration of the physical, biological, and chemical properties of the soil. This approach also aims to reduce the use of fertilizers by improving the efficiency of nutrient absorption, which helps to lower operating costs while increasing the plants' tolerance to drought and thermal stress. The Blueberry Committee stated that this initiative is part of a broader effort to make Chilean blueberry production more resilient to climate variability, while maintaining consistent fruit quality and long-term profitability. source and photo: frutasdechile.cl