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Summary Meeting on Blueberry Orchard Monitoring and Management Project Held in Jighaura

A summary meeting for the project "Monitoring and Management of Blueberry Orchards under Georgian Conditions" was held at the Jighaura base of the LEPL Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture. Participants were introduced to the project results and practical recommendations prepared for farmers.

The meeting was attended by Levan Ujmajuridze, Director of the Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture, representatives of relevant departments, and researchers involved in the project.

"Blueberry production is one of the most promising and rapidly growing sectors in Georgia. Consequently, providing farmers with recommendations based on scientific research is critically important. Our goal is to assist producers in efficient orchard management and the production of competitive products that meet international standards through the implementation of modern agro-technologies," stated Levan Ujmajuridze.

The research conducted within the project was carried out in the main blueberry-producing regions of Western Georgia – the municipalities of Guria, Samegrelo, Adjara, and Imereti. During the research process, agro-biocenological monitoring was performed, harmful organisms were identified and their distribution was assessed, and a study of primary agrochemical soil indicators, such as pH, organic matter content, and nutrients, was conducted.

Within the framework of the project, the phytosanitary condition and soil fertility of blueberry orchards were studied in detail. As a result of the research, economically significant harmful organisms were identified, their distribution areas were assessed, and effective management schemes were developed.

"The practical recommendations and optimized pest control schemes prepared by us will help farmers in the correct management of their orchards. This knowledge will allow them to obtain the highest quality and safe harvest with minimal costs," noted Lali Tsivilashvili, Senior Specialist of the Integrated Plant Protection Research Department and Project Manager.

Based on the research results, effective tools for combating pests and diseases were selected, and practical recommendations for farmers were prepared.

The project was implemented with the financial support of a fundamental research grant from the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia. The results obtained will contribute to the effective management of blueberry orchards in Georgia, the optimization of plant protection measures, improvement of product quality, and increased yields.