BLUEBERRY PLANTS more suited to the Scottish climate should be the result of new plant breeding technology introduced by the James Hutton Institute.

It is hoped this new technology will help to produce local blueberry options. Since last year, the amount of the fruit produced in Scotland has risen by 10%, and the new JHI project could see further growth.

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “Blueberries are an increasingly popular fruit in the UK. They are widely considered to have health benefits and of course they count as one of the five a day for fruit and veg.

“Traditionally blueberries are imported to Scotland, but this innovative research we are funding is using new technology to develop plants that are more suitable for the Scottish soil and climate as well as helping us to fully understand the health benefits of this fruit.

“Scottish blueberry production is already on the increase and this should help boost local production of this fruit – which is better for the environment and also good news for our economy.”

Julie Graham, who leads on the blueberry breeding programme at the JHI, said: “Cutting-edge plant breeding technology is enabling us to develop new blueberry cultivars. These cultivars, better suited to Scottish conditions, should enable an increase in the home-grown blueberry crop, which will be of benefit to Scottish soft fruit growers.

"Long term funding from the Scottish Government has been instrumental in supporting this research.”