Abstract Background: Vegetative propagation of Fragaria sp. is traditionally carried out using stolons. This system of propagation, in addition to being slow, can spread plant diseases, particularly serious being viral. In vitro culture of meristems and the establishment of micropropagation protocols are important tools for solving these problems. In recent years, considerable effort has been made to develop in vitro propagation of the commercial strawberry in order to produce virus-free plants of high quality. These previous results can serve as the basis for developing in vitro-based propagation technologies in the less studied species Fragaria chiloensis. Results: In this context, we studied the cultivation of meristems and establishment of a micropropagation protocol for F. chiloensis. The addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) improved the meristem regeneration efficiency of F. chiloensis accessions. Similarly, the use of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) in the culture media increased the average rate of multiplication to 3-6 shoots per plant. In addition, the use of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), had low levels (near zero) of explant losses due to oxidation. However, plant height as well as number of leaves and roots were higher in media without growth regulators, with average values of 0.5 cm, 9 leaves and 4 roots per plant. Conclusions: For the first time in Chilean strawberry, meristem culture demonstrated to be an efficient tool for eliminating virus from infected plants, giving the possibility to produce disease free propagation material. Also, the addition of PVP into the basal MS medium improved the efficiency of plant recovery from isolated meristems. Farmers can now access to high quality plant material produced by biotech tools which will improve their technological practices.

Applications of N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N’-phenylurea (CPPU) can increase blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) yield and fruit size, but their impact on postharvest is unknown. We studied repeated CPPU applications effects on yield and quality (harvest, postharvest), over 2 yr on mature ’Duke’ plants in South-Central Chile. The first year, 5 or 10 mL L-1 CPPU was applied at 3, 10, and/or 17 d after full bloom (DAFB) plus a non-sprayed control. The second year, 5 or 10 mL L-1 CPPU were sprayed 10 and 17 DAFB plus a control. The first year, only 10 mL L-1 CPPU sprayed 3+17 DAFB increased yield (32.5% > control); 10 mL L-1 CPPU applied 10 or 3+17 DAFB had highest fruit diameter; and 10 mL L-1 CPPU at 17 DAFB or at 3+10+17 DAFB had highest soluble solids. Overall, 10 mL L-1 CPPU applied 3+17 DAFB, was the best treatment for year one, since it increased fruit yield and diameter, while soluble solids and postharvest weight loss were similar to control. The second year, 10 mL L-1 CPPU reduced fruit coloration (blue color coverage index: BCCI) and soluble solids, but not firmness at harvest. This rate increased berry weight (24.2%) and fruit wax (59% > wax coverage index: WCI) at harvest. Harvest and postharvest WCI increased consistently as CPPU rate increased. CPPU reduced fruit rotting (15% at 45+5 evaluation). During storage, CPPU-treated-fruit had a slower decrease in firmness (30.5% < control at 30+1), but no difference at 30+5. CPPU-treated-fruit usually had higher post harvest soluble solids. Ten mL L-1 CPPU retarded color evolution at harvest and at 30+1, but not at 30+5, 40+1 or 40+5.

O Chile tornou-se de grande atuação na indústria de Mirtilo como o fornecedor mais importante de frutas frescas de entressafra para o hemisfério Norte. Exportações de Mirtilo passaram de $ 30 milhões de dólares americanos (cerca de 4.000 toneladas) em 2000, para 380 milhões (94 mil toneladas) em 2011. As características das principais regiões de cultivo de Mirtilo (Norte, Central, Centro-Sul e Sul) säo apresentados em termos de área plantada, variedades, práticas de manejo, extensäo do período de colheita, e condições climáticas e do solo. A maioria das frutas é de variedades highbush, colhidas à mäo e exportados frescas para os Estados Unidos por barco.Grande porcentagem do fruto é exportada a partir de meados de dezembro até o final de janeiro, que coincide com preços mais baixos. A regiäo Centro-sul (latitude 34º 50' a 38º15' S), foi em 2007 a mais importante, com 5.075 ha (51,1% da área plantada). Entre os desafios da indústria de Mirtilo no Chile em um futuro próximo säo: 1. Baixa rentabilidade devido à diminuição das taxas de câmbio e custos mais altos, 2. Maior escassez e aumento do custo da mäo-de-obra, 3. Necessidade de uma maior produtividade e práticas de produção sustentável, 4. Fruta de alta e consistente qualidade, e 5. Maior investimento em pesquisa. Como estudo de caso o artigo apresenta três abordagens que podem ajudar a identificar as áreas com baixa disponibilidade de mäo de obra e melhorar a sua eficiência. O artigo mostra o uso de ferramentas de geomática para estabelecer a disponibilidade de mäo-de-obra, a aplicação de reguladores de crescimento para reduzir a carga das culturas, aumentar o tamanho dos frutos e melhorar a eficiência da colheita, bem como a utilização de sacudidores para colher frutas frescas para os mercados de longa distância. Mais pesquisas säo necessárias para melhorar o rendimento, reduzir custos e dar maior sustentabilidade econômica e ecológica para a indústria de Mirtilo do Chile.

Chile has become a major actor in the blueberry industry as the most important supplier of off-season fresh fruit for the northern hemisphere. Blueberry exports passed from US$ 30 million (around 4,000 tons) in 2000 to US$ 380 million (94,000 tons) in 2011. The characteristics of the major blueberry growing regions (North, Central, South-central and South) are presented in terms of acreage, varieties, management practices, extension of the harvest season, and soil and climatic conditions. Most fruit is from highbush varieties, picked by hand and exported fresh by boat to United States. Largest proportion of fruit is exported from mid December to late January, which coincides with lowest prices. The south-central region (latitudes 34º50' to 38º15' S) was in 2007 the most important one with 5,075 ha (51.1% of area planted). Among the challenges for the Chilean blueberry industry in the near future are: 1. Lower profitability due to lower rates of currency exchange and higher costs, 2 - Greater scarcity and higher cost of labor, 3.- Need for higher productivity and sustainable production practices, 4- Fruit of high and consistent quality, and 5.- Greater investment in research. As a case study the article presents three approaches that can help identify areas with low availability of labor and improve its efficiency. The article shows the use of geomatic tools to establish labor availability, application of growth regulators to reduce crop load, increase fruit size and improve harvest efficiency, and the use of shakers to harvest fresh fruit for long distance markets. More research is needed to improve yields, reduce costs and give greater economical and ecological sustainability to the Chilean blueberry industry.

Em 2007 (último censo agrícola), o Chile tinha 308.445 ha de pomares: um aumento de quase 32% em relação ao censo anterior (1997). As espécies mais importantes foram, uva de mesa (20%), abacate (13%) e maçã (12%). Cerca de 20% da terra ocupada pela fruticultura, correspondeu a pomares juvenis; desse total, as espécies com maior proporção de pomares juvenis foram ameixeiras (42%) e mirtilos (56%). A maioria dos pomares está localizada entre as latitudes 27º18` S (Copiapó) e 40º36´S (Porto Varas). A fruticultura é impulsionada pela exportação que corresponde a mais de 50% das frutas produzidas. Na safra 2009-2010, aproximadamente 254 milhões de caixas (cerca de 2.5 milhões de toneladas) foram exportados, representando mais de US$ 3,5 milhões. Frutas processadas e frescas representaram 8,2 e 26,7% das exportações chilenas de produtos florestais e agrícolas em 2008, respectivamente. Os principais mercados para essas frutas foram EUA/Canadá (42%) e Europa (32%). O fruticultor recebe em média 12-16% do preço total da fruta em seu destino final. A cada ano a fruticultura emprega diretamente 450.000 de pessoas das quais 1/3 é permanente. Ainda que a fruticultura empregue a maior proporção da mão-de-obra rural, e que a área plantada tenha aumentado nos últimos 20 anos, a proporção dos empregos rurais decresceu de 19,5% em 1989 a 10,8% em 2008. Deve ser notado também que o Chile investe somente 0.7% do GDP em pesquisa. Nos últimos 40 anos, a fruticultura tem sido a força propulsora do desenvolvimento econômico chileno, mas as taxas de câmbio mais baixas, a elevação dos custos de energia (óleo, eletricidade), e a crescente escassez de mão-de-obra têm reduzido drasticamente a rentabilidade e estão pondo em risco a viabilidade de uma grande proporção de pomares no Chile. Estima-se que nesta safra, cerca de 70% dos pomares apresentarão balanço econômico negativo em suas operações. Maior investimento em pesquisa, aprimoramento da qualidade das frutas e de várias práticas de manejo dos pomares, assim como maior suporte financeiro governamental são requeridos para a viabilidade a longo prazo da fruticultura no Chile.

In 2007 (the last agricultural census), Chile had 308, 445 ha of fruit orchards: an increase of almost 32% from the previous census (1997). The most important species were table grapes (20%), avocados (13%) and apples (12%). Some 22% of the fruit crops growing area corresponded to juvenile orchards; within the species with higher proportion of juvenile orchards were prunes (42%) and blueberries (56%). Most orchards are located between latitude 27º18` S (Copiapó) and 40º36´S (Puerto Varas). The industry is driven by the export component which accounts for more than 50% of the fruits produced. In the crop season 2009-2010, approximately 254 million boxes (around 2.5 million tons) were exported, representing over US$ 3.5 million. Processed and fresh fruits represented 8.2 and 26.7% of the total forest and agricultural Chilean exports in 2008, respectively. The main markets for this fruits were USA/Canada (42%) and Europe (32%). The fruit grower receives, on average, 12-16% of the total price of the fruit in its final destination. Each year the fruit industry employs 450.000 people directly, of which 1/3 are permanent. Even though the fruit industry employs the highest proportion of the agricultural labor and the growing area has increased in the last 20 years, the proportion of agricultural employment has decreased from 19.5% in 1989 to 10.8% in 2008. It might also be noted that Chile invests only 0.7% of the GDP in research. In the last 40 years, the fruit industry has been a motor for the Chilean economic development, but the lower rates of currency exchange, the rising costs of energy (oil, electricity), and the increasing scarcity of hand labor have drastically reduced the profitability and are putting at risk the viability of a large proportion of the fruit orchards in Chile. It is estimated that this season around 65% of the orchards will have a negative economic balance in their operations. Higher investment in research, improvements in fruit quality and various orchard management practices, as well as higher financial support from the Government are needed for the long term viability of the fruit industry in Chile.

Nos últimos 30 anos a população mundial cresceu 70 %, mas o consumo per capita de frutas somente 20 %. Apesar de haver um equilíbrio entre o consumo de frutas tropicais e temperadas, de cerca de 50 kg/pessoa/ano,nos EUA, com 50 % cada uma, nos últimos 30 anos o consumo de frutas frescas temperadas tem sido um pouco maior. No consumo de frutas frescas, o de orgânicas teve o maior aumento, com cerca de 50% entre 2002 e 2006. A maior expansão nos plantios entre 1996 e 2006 foi na área plantada de kiwi, com 29 %, blueberries, com 20 %, enquanto maçã, com -2,4 % e cereja ácida, com -13 % tiveram as maiores reduções.Cerca de 50 % do total mundial de produção de frutas, em volume, é por apenas 5 paises, China, USA, Brasil, Itália e Espanha. O maior produtor é a China, com 23 % e os maiores exportadores são a Espanha, USA e Itália. Os maiores importadores são a Alemanha, Rússia e UK. As maiores demandas são em relação à qualidade, sanidade e rastreabilidade. Os desafios são os maiores custos de energia, mão de obra e agroquímicos, pois as exigências tem sido na direção às mudanças de preferência, saúde e sustentabilidade. Recente evolução na agricultura de precisão, biologia molecular, fenômica, modelagem e fisiologia de pós-colheita devem aumentar a produtividade e qualidade nas culturas,com redução de custos para as frutas de clima temperado.

In the last 30 years world population has increased 70% but per capita global fruit consumption is only 20% higher. Even though tropical and temperate fruit have similar contributions to the 50 kg/person/year of US consumption of fresh fruit, in the last 30 years this has been slightly greater for temperate fruit. Within fruit consumption, the largest expansion has been for organic fruit which increased more than 50% in the 2002-2006 period. The largest expansion of area planted in the 1996-2006 has been for kiwi (29%) and blueberries (20%), while apples (-24%) and sour cherries (-13%) have had the largest reductions. Nearly 50% of the total global volume of fruit is produced by 5 countries: China, USA, Brazil, Italy and Spain. The main producer (China) accounts for 23% of the total. While the main exporters are Spain, USA and Italy, the main importers are Germany, Russia and UK. Demands for the industry have evolved towards quality, food safety and traceability. The industry faces higher productions costs (labor, energy, agrichemicals). The retailers are moving towards consolidation while the customers are changing preferences (food for health). In this context there is greater pressure on growers, processors and retailers. Emerging issues are labor supply, climate change, water availability and sustainability. Recent developments in precision agriculture, molecular biology, phenomics, crop modelling and post harvest physiology should increase yields and quality, and reduce costs for temperate fruit production around the world.

Abstract Peteca, a physiological disorder of lemons (Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.), has been linked to calcium nutrition and low temperatures in the orchard and postharvest storage. To establish the effect of cold storage period and temperatures on fruit quality and incidence of the disorder, yellow lemons (cv. Eureka (0.25 °Brix/acidity ratio) were harvested 5 d after a rainfall event and stored for 35 d at 3, 7 or 11±1 °C and 90-95% relative humidity (RH). The presence of peteca was evaluated after 0, 15, and 35 d of storage. Fruits were evaluated at the onset and at the end of cold storage in terms of the variables fruit equatorial diameter, weight loss, peel thickness, percent of juice, pH, soluble solids, peel calcium and titratable acidity. High incidence of peteca occurred after 15 d of storage at 11 °C and it held constant until day 35, at 7 °C damage was incipient, and at 3 °C peteca was observed after 35 d. Juice content and calcium in albedo increased during storage, reaching 38.2% and 0.57%, regardless of the storage temperature, whereas peel thickness decreased. Weight loss, up to 7.8%, was greater at 11 °C in 35 d of storage. Treatments did not significantly affect soluble solids, acidity, pH, equatorial diameter or calcium in flavedo tissue.

Resumen Peteca, desorden fisiológico de limones (Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.), ha sido relacionado con nutrición del calcio y bajas temperaturas en huerto y almacenamiento. Para establecer el efecto de temperatura y período de almacenamiento sobre el desorden y calidad de la fruta, limones cv. Eureka, cosechados con color amarillo (relación °Brix/acidez 0.25) 5 d después de una lluvia, fueron almacenados a 3, 7 y 11±1 °C con 90-95% humedad relativa, por 35 d. Se evaluó la presencia de peteca a los 0, 15 y 35 d de almacenamiento. Las variables: diámetro ecuatorial, pérdida de peso, grosor de cáscara, porcentaje de jugo, pH, sólidos solubles, acidez titulable y calcio en cáscara, fueron evaluadas al inicio y final del almacenamiento. La manifestación de peteca fue alta con 11 °C desde los 15 d de almacenamiento, y se mantuvo hasta 35 d; a 7 °C el daño fue incipiente y a 3 °C el desorden apareció a los 35 d. El contenido de jugo y calcio en albedo se incrementó con el almacenamiento, independientemente de la temperatura, hasta 38.2 y 0.57%, mientras que el grosor de cáscara disminuyó. La pérdida de peso fue mayor a los 35 d con 11 °C, llegando hasta 7.8%. No hubo efecto de los tratamientos sobre diámetro ecuatorial, sólidos solubles, acidez, pH y calcio en el flavedo.