They develop new varieties of maqui

It is the result of several scientific projects carried out by the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences in conjunction with Fundación Chile and companies in the sector.

Camila Bauer, Journalist UTalca.- New varieties of maqui, which produce more fruits and are adapted to the different climates of the country, is the result of several scientific and development projects carried out by a team from the University of Talca, in conjunction with Fundación Chile and companies in the sector.

As explained by the dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and director of the project, Hermine Vogel, this wild Chilean plant has high medicinal properties, which makes it highly attractive to producers and consumers.

“The industry needs a homogeneous, quality product and a known composition of active compounds. That is why in 2007 we began to explore the variability of maqui, together with Fundación Chile, in order to develop varieties that are within reach and can be used by farmers”, he stated.

For this reason, and after long scientific work, six new varieties were generated: three female, which produce fruits: ‘Luna Nueva’, a plant suitable for being established in the central zone. ‘Morena’, which is a bit more universal and adapts to different environments, and ‘Perla Negra’, which grows very well in the south, since it can’t stand the stress of the Mediterranean climate,” Vogel explained. And three male, pollinating varieties, ‘Huiña’, ‘Pudú’ and ‘Vicuña’ that ensure optimal fruit production.

More fruit and benefits

The academic assured that these specimens are registered in the Register of Registered Varieties of the SAG and have great advantages for farmers, who, by using these variants, will have certainties about production and quality.

“These plants are going to produce a lot of fruit from the second or third year. ‘Luna Nueva’ and ‘Perla Negra’ are compact growing, rather short, so they can be planted a little more densely and are easier to harvest,” he said.

In addition, through the cultivation of these maqui specimens, both the industry and the consumer know the qualities of the fruit, which has been selected for its high levels of polyphenols and anthocyanins, being the main antioxidant compounds associated with its medicinal attributes. As he explained, “in wild collection there is incredible variability. The advantage of a crop is that only one or two varieties are produced, the quality of the fruit is homogeneous and known, in addition to not generating irreversible damage to natural populations. It is a sustainable maqui production”.

Currently these varieties of maqui are available for purchase and cultivation. “Several nurseries have the license and are empowered to propagate and market these plants. Farmers who are interested can now purchase them”, stressed Vogel.

In parallel, work is being done to establish guidelines to produce maqui fruits more efficiently. “We have also developed the form of how to produce, to give the farmer the recommendations on distance and other management requirements. There are still many unknowns that require further investigation, ”he detailed.