ISHS Acta Horticulturae 60: Symposium on Breeding and Machine Harvesting of Rubus and Ribes
THE NECTAR RASPBERRY, RUBUS IDAEUS X RUBUS ARCTICUS - A NEW CULTIVATED PLANT |
| Authors: | H. Hiirsalmi, J. Säkö |
| Abstract:
Since 1939, the Institute of Horticulture of Agricultural Research Centre has been engaged in breeding a hybrid between the raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) and the nectarberry (Rubus arcticus L.). The aim has been to develop a plant possessing the flavour of the nectarberry, but as easy to cultivate as the raspberry. The F1-generation lacks practical importance, being almost sterile. F2 and F3 generations, obtained by free pollination, provided a number of plants whose yields, fruit size and flavour proved to be very promising. These were selected for further breeding and named nectar raspberries. The nectarberry flavour was strongest in an individual of the F3 generation, which received the name 'Merva'. Unfortunately, its yield was so poor that it could not be commercially introduced for general cultivation. However, a cross between 'Merva' and the raspberry variety 'Malling Promise' provided promising selections, one of which was put on sale in 1975, under the variety name of 'Heija'. Both vegetatively and from the point of view of cultivation, its properties are very similar to those of the raspberry, whereas the qualitative composition of its aroma greatly resemples that of the nectarberry. | |
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