ISHS Acta Horticulturae 585: VIII International Rubus and Ribes Symposium
THORNLESS BLACKBERRY PERFORMANCE ON THE GULF COAST OF ALABAMA |
| Authors: | D.G. Himelrick, M. Nesbitt |
| Keywords: | Rubus, heat tolerance, yield, berry size, taste |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2002.585.102 |
| Abstract:
A blackberry cultivar trial was planted in 1999 at the Gulf Coast Regional Research and Extension Center in Fairhope, Alabama, USA to study yield and quality traits. The location receives on average only 640 chilling hours and has high rainfall and high humidity. The six cultivars planted were ‘Navaho’, ‘Arapaho’, ‘Apache’, ‘Loch Ness’, ‘Triple Crown’, and ‘Chester’. Plants were set out in March 1999, except for ‘Apache’, which was planted in September. Primocane growth was greatest in 1999 on ‘Triple Crown’ and ‘Chester’, both of which had a trailing growth habit. These two cultivars also leafed out and bloomed sporadically in 2000, as if suffering from lack of chilling. ‘Loch Ness’, a semi-erect cultivar, was the least vigorous cultivar, and had slightly insufficient chilling. ‘Arapaho’ and ‘Navaho’ made vigorous growth and appeared to have sufficient chilling. The cultivar with the best tasting fruit was ‘Triple Crown’, whose crop peaked in mid July. Yield of ‘Triple Crown’ however was extremely low, due to insufficient chilling. Berries on ‘Triple Crown’ were difficult to locate, due to excessive primocane growth, and berries became overripe very quickly. ‘Arapaho’ was the earliest maturing cultivar, and had good flavor and good yields. The other three cultivars produced berries that were very acidic (tart) and not very appealing. The yield of ‘Arapaho’ and ‘Navaho’ were encouraging in 2000 and 2001, but further study is needed to fully determine which, if any are suited to the Gulf Coast. A few plants with rust were removed to prevent further spread of the disease. | |
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