AN Aberdeen-based institute has successfully bred the UK’s first blueberry after 10 years' of research.
Researchers from The James Hutton Institute have bred the berry, named Highland Charm, after 10 years’ research in which more than 300 unique blueberry crosses have been made at its Invergowrie site.
Each was evaluated to find a selection bred from the native north American species (Vaccinium corymbosum) that can flourish in the Scottish climate.
The new berry has been successfully trialled in the UK and the EU, and researchers are now exploring how the berry fares under different growing conditions.
They believe the blueberry has tremendous potential for expansion in Scotland and that Highland Charm, will meet the demands of the industry for home grown fruit, and that its climate resilience represents a significant advance for growers.
Blueberry breeder, Dr Susan McCallum, said: “This cultivar is a real standout. It combines high yields, excellent fruit size, outstanding flavour, with a balanced sugar-acid profile and a satisfying bite, and an impressive shelf life.
“It is reliable and has performed well in our trials year after year, with consistent yield, size and taste. Growers are really excited about it.”
The Hutton, an internationally renowned research centre, aims to address specific and targeted needs of the food production sector, using marker-assisted breeding to reduce the time it takes to produce cultivars with the key traits of interest.
According to the institute, Scotland’s fertile soils, abundant clean water, and milder summer temperatures create ideal conditions for producing high-quality berries.
Cooler summers extend the ripening period of soft fruit, allowing for greater accumulation of sugars and acids, resulting in a more intense, well-balanced flavour compared to berries that ripen rapidly in hotter climates.
UK consumers buy around 60,000 tonnes of blueberries a year but 90% of them are imported from overseas.
Dr McCallum hopes the new berry will encourage consumers to buy in-season, local fruit.
She said: "They are fresher with higher health benefits than imported berries that take six weeks to get from the field to the shelves.
“The imported fruit is often picked slightly too early and while its colour continues to develop, its flavour does not. I guarantee people will taste the difference with in-season, local fruit and will want to go back for more.”
Highland Charm is currently going through the licensing process that will declare it to be a novel and unique blueberry and should be on our supermarket shelves in around two or three years time.
A sister variety under development is also expected to enter the licensing process next year.
