Small fruits
Small fruits such as raspberry (Rubus idaeus), blueberry (Vaccinium spp.), and strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) represent crops of growing interest due to their nutritional value and production profitability. These species require cool environments and well-aerated soils with good organic matter content and generally sub-acid pH. They are sensitive to water and temperature stress, which may compromise flowering, fruit set, and fruit quality. In agronomic management, the use of biostimulants is particularly useful for supporting root system development, improving nutritional efficiency, and increasing tolerance to abiotic stress, thus contributing to more consistent yields and fruits of high organoleptic quality.
Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) is a bush belonging to the Ericaceae family, characterized by a fine and shallow root system that is sensitive to waterlogging and salinity. It flowers in spring with small white or pinkish flowers arranged in hanging clusters. The fruits are blue-violet berries rich in sugars, organic acids, anthocyanins, and phenolic compounds with strong antioxidant activity. It prefers temperate climates and light, acidic soils (pH 4.5–5.5), well drained and rich in organic matter.
Blueberry primarily assimilates nitrogen in ammonium form (NH₄⁺), which promotes rhizosphere acidification and improves micronutrient uptake, contributing to balanced growth and fruits of high organoleptic quality.
Blueberry primarily assimilates nitrogen in ammonium form (NH₄⁺), which promotes rhizosphere acidification and improves micronutrient uptake, contributing to balanced growth and fruits of high organoleptic quality.
Raspberry (Rubus idaeus) is a shrub species characterized by sensitivity to both drought and waterlogging. It flowers from late spring to summer with white inflorescences grouped in terminal clusters, while the aggregate red fruits at maturity are rich in sugars, organic acids, and anthocyanins.
Raspberry requires soft, well-drained, and slightly acidic soils that ensure good oxygenation of the root system. The crop needs constant but moderate irrigation, as excess water reduces both quality and yield. It also requires good organic fertility to support the growth of new canes and fruit formation. Temperate climates with summers that are not excessively hot promote regular flowering and good fruit set, yielding firm, aromatic fruits with high commercial quality.
Raspberry requires soft, well-drained, and slightly acidic soils that ensure good oxygenation of the root system. The crop needs constant but moderate irrigation, as excess water reduces both quality and yield. It also requires good organic fertility to support the growth of new canes and fruit formation. Temperate climates with summers that are not excessively hot promote regular flowering and good fruit set, yielding firm, aromatic fruits with high commercial quality.
The strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Rosaceae family, characterized by a shallow, highly branched root system that is sensitive to both drought and waterlogging.The fruits—commonly but incorrectly called berries—are in fact pseudofruits deriving from the enlargement of the flower receptacle and show considerable variation in shape, color, and sugar content depending on the cultivar and cultivation conditions.Strawberries prefer temperate climates and light, well-drained soils rich in organic matter, with slightly acidic pH values (5.5–6.5).