MSHS Trust Funded Research

RASPBERRY AND BLACKBERRY VARIETY TESTING
Jon Clements
MSU Extension, Berrien County, 1737 Hillandale Rd.
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
clementj@msue.msu.edu
Phone: 616-944-4126, Fax: 616-982-8666

Eric Hanson
Department of Horticulture, MSU
East Lansing, MI 48824
hansone@msu.edu
Phone: 517-355-2261, Fax: 517-353-0890

There is significant interest in summer- and fall-fruiting raspberries as a fresh market crop in southwest Michigan. Since the last variety trial in southwest Michigan (1985-1988), several new fall-fruiting and summer-bearing varieties with considerable potential have been released. Some of these may be more profitable for growers than the varieties currently grown (primarily Canby, Heritage). We established a variety trial at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center in order to evaluate the productivity and fruit characteristics of recently released raspberry varieties.

The half-acre trial was planted in April 1999 on a loamy sand soil, using 15-ft. long plots and 10 ft. spacing between rows. Replicated plots were planted of 14 summer-fruiting raspberries (Boyne, Canby, Encore, Glenn Ample, Latham, Lauren, Malahat, Nova, Prelude, Qualicum, Reveille, Titan, Tulameen and K81-6) and 7 fall-fruiting varieties (Autumn Bliss, Autumn Brittan, Caroline, Dinkum, Heritage, Polana, and Ruby) will be tested. Single plots were also planted of the summer-fruiting raspberry selection BC86-6-15, and the blackberries Apache, Arapaho, Black Butte, Chester Thornless, Chickasaw, Siskiyou, and five numbered selections. Plots are bordered by Heritage buffer rows and row ends. Row middles were seeded to a permanent sod in the fall of 1999.

Yield and fruit quality will be evaluated in 2000, 2001, and 2002 (fall bearers) and 2001, 2002, and 2003 (summer bearers). The test will conclude after harvest in 2003. In addition to yield and berry size assessments, we will also assess the shelf life of varieties by packing fruit in commercial containers, simulating commercial handling, then evaluating fruit quality.