Abstract

The production of blueberries, Vaccinium corymbosum L. in Chile, particularly for export to countries in the northern hemisphere, has increased annually. In 2000, Chile exported about 4,000 tons; in 2004 it exported 10,000 tons; and the increase continues. Most of the fruit exported consists of cultivars bred in the United States, which is the biological center of origin. There are a number of breeding programs in the United States, each having its own characteristic selection pattern and priorities. Although these breeding programs cover a range of environmental (E) and cultural conditions, they do not produce cultivars that are ideally suited to the particular Chilean growing conditions or soil types. The aim of the Genberries breeding program, based in the VII Region of Chile (Latitude: 34-36° S), is to produce cultivars that are optimally adapted to conditions of central Chile. This will be achieved by selecting among the crosses of suitable germplasm (G), principally northern highbush genotypes, under the conditions prevailing in a range of regions of the country that are, or could, be suitable for growing blueberries. An initial round of crossing has been carried out and a GxE trial is in the planning stage. The aim will be to produce suitable cultivars that will contribute to the export from Chile during the "window" of no fruit production in the target markets in the United States, Asia and Europe.