ISHS Acta Horticulturae 112: Symposium on Breeding and Machine Harvesting of Rubus
HYBRIDS OF THE ARCTIC BRAMBLE SPECIES (RUBUS STELLATUS X R. ARCTICUS) |
| Authors: | H. Hiirsalmi, J. Säkö |
| Abstract:
Research carried out in Finland on a valuable wild berry, the arctic bramble, Rubus arcticus L., led in 1972 to the simultaneous adoption for cultivation of two varieties, 'Mesma' and 'Mespi'. These varieties have, however, a number of features which would appear to preclude their economic cultivation. Investigations have therefore been carried out into the possibilities of using the Rubus stellatus Sm. species, which grows wild in Alaska, on the Aleutian islands, in the Yukon and on the Kamchatka peninsula, for breeding with the arctic bramble, since these two species are closely related and can be crossed without difficulty. The cultivability of the new hybrid selections is distinctly better than that of 'Mesma' and 'Mespi'. With their hybrid vigour, they quickly develop a compact, fruitbearing growth. The height of the shoots facilitates picking. The yield is distinctly greater than in the varieties mentioned earlier, and ripens in a shorter time, thus necessitating fewer picking rounds. There is some increase in berry size; the berries are firm, and red when ripe. The flavour is pleasant, and the berries contain almost as much of the aroma of the arctic bramble as the arctic bramble itself. Both in quality and aroma, the berries of the new selections are suitable for use as raw material for the beverages industry. Unfortunately, however, and notwithstanding virtually disturbance-free meiosis, all the hybrids, like the parent species, are self-sterile. In order to obtain fruit it is necessary to cultivate two different selections in alternate rows, and this must be borne in mind when their adoption for general cultivation is under consideration in the next few years. | |
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