For Central Valley blueberry farmers like Paul Willems, deciding what variety of crop to plant is about dollars and sense.

“You make the wrong decision — and that’s it,” he says. “You’re either going to stay in business or you go broke.”

And getting consumers to buy blueberries — and continue buying blueberries — can come down to taste.

For farmers and consumers alike, new research published in the University of California’s California Agriculture journal examines taste and consumer acceptance of six varieties of blueberries grown in the San Joaquin Valley. The replicated trial is one of the first peer-reviewed studies of consumer response to California-grown blueberries. For full text of the article, visit http://californiaagriculture.ucop.edu/0803JAS/toc.html.

“It’s a starting point,” says Gayle Crisosto, a co-author of the study. “This study gives us a feel for what’s working — how these particular varieties, grown under California conditions, are accepted by consumers.”

Consumer acceptance of the blueberries tested was high. Depending on blueberry variety, 67 percent to 92 percent of consumers surveyed said they liked what they were tasting. Antioxidant capacity, firmness, acid content and sugars (soluble solids) were also measured. Though the taste tests did show significant differences between the berry varieties, all six — Emerald, Jewel, Misty, O’Neal, Reveille and Star — were ultimately judged as “good options” for growing.

The study’s six authors conducted the research at the University of California’s Kearney Agricultural Center, including two farm advisors with the UC Small Farm Program. California’s earliest commercial blueberry plantings were started on small-scale farms.

Authors noted that the research is important to small-scale farmers — especially in farmers markets, where buyers are often encouraged to sample fruit before they purchase.

“Most often, the industry develops varieties that are going to ship well and look good. But for small growers especially, we want them to have return sales and success in direct marketing, like farmers markets or CSAs,” says Manuel Jimenez, Small Farm Program advisor and co-author of the study.

Blueberry varieties that require less chilling time have made it possible to grow this specialty crop in California, and nearly 5,000 acres are currently in production. The article includes information on the production methods used, as well as the resulting yield and harvest times for each variety.

Also in the July-September 2008 issue of California Agriculture journal:

• Glyphosate-resistant hairy fleabane documented in Central Valley

• Field trials identify California native plants suited to urban gardens

• Crown gall spreads from walnut trees in nurseries to orchard

• Pheromone-based pest management can be cost-effective for walnut growers

California Agriculture is the University of California’s peer-reviewed journal of research in agricultural, human and natural resources. For a free subscription, go to: http://californiaagriculture.ucop.edu, write to calag@ucop.edu or call (510) 642-2431 x33.