Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: A replicated trial of nine black raspberry cultivars was established in 2005 to demonstrate black raspberry production to growers in N.Y. and the surrounding region. The berries were harvested in 2006-07 and total yield per plant and average fruit size was recorded. Fresh market suitability and fruit characteristics were evaluated. The cultivars tested were Mac Black, Huron, Allen, New Logan, Black Hawk, Munger, Haut, Bristol and Jewel. Black raspberry germplasm was screened for resistance to wilt caused by Verticillium albo-atrum to identify germplasm for breeding resistant cultivars. In 2005, populations were screened for resistance by dipping the seedlings into a slurry of fungal mycelium prior to transplanting into pots in the greenhouse. Moderate levels of resistance were identified especially in populations with purple parents (black raspberry x red raspberry). Resistant genotypes were identified for further evaluation of horticultural traits such as fruit quality and
yield and for use in breeding. In 2006, seedlings were planted from crosses planned using the data from populations screened in 2005 for resistance to wilt. Field plots of 12 cultivars were examined in 2006 and 2007 for aphid infestation (the insect vector for the mosaic virus) to identify genotypes that can be used in the breeding program to produce populations segregating for aphid preference. Aphid immunity is a common approach to avoiding virus diseases. Additionally, 47 black and purple raspberry selections and 13 cultivars currently growing in test blocks in the Cornell program were evaluated for horticultural traits and pest resistance for cultivar development. In 2005 and 2006, seedlings were established in the field for evaluation of horticultural traits. Additionally, selections were made from previous plantings in 2005 and 2006 for use as parents in the black raspberry breeding program. In 2007 selections were made for the first time from the 2005 seedlings. Additional
populations were produced through hybridization using selections and other germplasm based on information from disease and insect trials and field performance. These seeds will be planted in 2008 to continue the breeding program. Information from the project was disseminated at grower meetings, field days, federal committee meetings and in extension publications. A field day for growers was hosted on July 19, 2007 to showcase the cultivar trial. Direct comparisons among the nine cultivars were made. In each of the project years, updates on the project were presented at the annual meeting of the North Central Coordinating Committee-22 (NCCC-22) on Small Fruits and Viticulture and to the New York State Berry Growers Association board of directors. Information was presented in 2006 at the North American Bramble Growers Association conference, at the Hudson Valley Commercial Fruit Grower's School, at the Illinois Small Fruit and Strawberry Schools, and at the Empire State Fruit and
Vegetable Expo and Produce Marketing Conference. Multiple newsletter articles were published presenting the information to a larger audience. In 2007, information was presented at the Ohio Fruit and Vegetable Conference.
PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Courtney Weber, Associate Professor, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Cornell University directed the program including making the crosses, evaluating the fruit quality, data analysis and all other aspects. Dr. Greg Loeb, Associate Professor, Department of Entomology, performed aphid counts to assess relative preference among different genotypes. William Boone, Research Support Specialist, Cornell University, Mathew Welser, Cornell University Student and Mathew Higgins, McGill University student, provided assistance in management of field plots, harvest and data collection. The project provided the opportunity for professional development in field crop management including irrigation technology, trellis design and installation, and post harvest handling. It also provided instruction in field plot design, data collection and data entry. Mary Catherine Heidenreich, Extension Support Specialist, Cornell University aided in Verticillium screening. Provided an
opportunity to work with a different pathogen and learn inoculation techniques.
TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences included researchers, extension educators, students and growers. Specific organization memberships targeted include the North Central Coordinating Committe-22 (NCCC-22) for Small Fruits and Viticulture Research, the New York State Berry Growers Association, the North American Bramble Growers Association and non-associated growers in NY, mid-western states, northeastern states and mid-Atlantic states. NCCC-22 is a federal coordinating committee comprised 40 researchers from 26 universities, 5 USDA locations, and 2 industry groups. The NYSBGA comprises approximately 130 growers and extension personnel in NY. NABGA has membership nationwide and co-sponsors grower conferences in a different region each year. Non-affiliated growers were addressed at fruit schools and grower conferences as well as field days at Cornell University. Presentations were given at the 2004, 05, 06 NCCC-22 committee meetings in West Lafayette, IN, Geneva, NY and Bellingham,
WA with 120 participants, the NYSBGA board of directors meetings in Geneva, NY in 2005, 06 and 07 with 30 participants, the 2006 Empire State Fruit and Vegetable Expo and Produce Marketing Conference in Syracuse, NY with 177 attending, the 2006 and 07 Hudson Valley Commercial Fruit Grower's School, Kingston, NY with 77 attending, the 2006 Illinois Small Fruit and Strawberry Schools, Mt. Vernon, IL, with 72 attending, and the 2007 North American Bramble Growers Association Conference, Columbus, OH with 65 attending. A field day was held in Geneva, NY in 2007 with 25 attending.
Impacts
Yield in 2006 averaged 296 g per harvested plant (potential 1416 lbs./acre) with Haut the highest at 2875 lbs./acre. Yield in the second harvest season increased 2.75 fold to an average of 814 g per plant (3899 lbs./acre), topped by Bristol at 5876 lbs./acre. This equates to approximately $13,000 gross receipts per acre wholesale. Fruit size in 2006 averaged 1.9g and in 2007 1.4 g. Jewel had the largest fruit averaging over 2 g in both seasons. Black Hawk had the smallest fruit averaging 1.3 and 0.7 g in the first two seasons. Other cultivars with good size potential were Huron and Mac Black. The harvest season ran from July 3-28, 2006 and from July 2-30, 2007. Black Hawk, New Logan and Allen had the highest early yield closely followed by Bristol. Mac Black was the latest cultivar, up to 14 days after Black Hawk, Allen and other early cultivars and continuing 10 days after Jewel and Haut. Fresh, green tissue culture plugs showed the best establishment averaging 84%
survival. Bare root plants were the most variable ranging from only 35% survival to 88% survival. Dormant, over-wintered tissue culture plugs did not establish well, with only about 50% survival after two seasons. Jewel, Mac Black and Haut had the highest vigor and low incidence of Verticillium wilt after two seasons. Black Hawk initially had good establishment but declined rapidly due to Verticillium infection. Allen did not established well as a result of relatively poor planting stock, but plants that did survive were vigorous. Munger had very good establishment and survival but exhibited extensive winter damage. Aphid counts were relatively low with the maximum of about 5 aphids per shoot in the most infested plots. Huron, Allen and Munger had the lowest aphid counts at about 1.5 aphids per shoot. Fruit size can be especially small in dry years like 2007, even with supplemental irrigation. However, the eating quality still remains high in most cultivars. Additionally, proper pest
management is critical to ensuring a high percentage of fresh market fruit. Without fungicides, losses of 30% or more can be expected from fruit rots. Sunscald can also present a problem especially in hot years such as 2007. Planting a series of varieties such as New Logan, Bristol, Jewel and Mac Black will provide the longest possible season with high fruit quality. In 2005, 632 genotypes from 19 populations were screened for Verticillium resistance. 50 resistant genotypes were identified for use in breeding. Resistance was identified especially in populations with purple parents (black raspberry x red raspberry) including Brandywine, Royalty and Lowden. The best black raspberry parent for resistance was Hanover. In 2006, 1332 seedlings were planted from crosses planned using the data from 19 populations screened in 2005 for resistance to wilt caused by V. albo-atrum. In 2007, 1539 seedlings were planted. In 2007, 13 new populations were produced with approximately 3500 seeds for
planting in 2008. In 2005, 30 selections were made for further evaluation and breeding. In 2006 16 selections were made and in 2007 13 additional selections were made.
Publications
- Weber, C. and C. Heidenreich. 2005. Developing black raspberry for diversified and sustainable agriculture systems in the Northeast. New York Berry News. 4(7):6-8.
- Weber, Courtney. 2006. Raspberry variety review: Old reliable and new potential. Proceedings of the 2006 Illinois Small Fruit and Strawberry Schools. 18-24.
- Weber, Courtney. 2006. Raspberry plant types and recommended varieties. North American Bramble Growers Association 2006 Conference Proceedings. 27-29.
- Weber, Courtney. 2007. Black raspberries offer premium opportunity. Kevin Iungerman (ed.). Northeast Fruitlet 11(7):3-4.
- Weber, Courtney. 2007. Raspberry Variety Review: Old Reliable and New Potential. Mass. Berry Notes. 19(12):4-7.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Interest in black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) in the market place has been growing due to its extremely high levels of phytochemicals and antioxidants and its potential to benefit human health on top of excellent flavor and eating quality. Commercially available black raspberry cultivars that were established in a replicated trial in 2005 were harvested for the first time in 2006 using commercially accepted practices. Four replicates of nine cultivars and 1 selection from the Cornell University breeding program were harvested and evaluated for fresh market suitablility and fruit characteristics. They include Mac Black, Huron, Allen, New Logan, Black Hawk, Munger, Haut, Bristol, Jewel, and NY03-11b. Yield ranged from 56 g per plant in Munger to 483 g per plant in Jewel. The average fruit weight during mid harvest varied from 2.7 g for Jewel to 1.2 g for Black Hawk. Jewel, Huron and Mac Black were the only cultivars with average fruit size over 2 g per berry. Plant
survival in the plots varied greatly as well with 97 percent survival for NY03-11b being the best and 31 percent for Allen being the worst survival percentage. Tissue culture derived plants (Huron, Munger, Bristol, Jewel, NY03-01p) had a better survival rate (71 percent) than the bare root plants used (Allen, New Logan, Haut, Mac Black, Black Hawk) (61 percent). In 2006, 1332 seedlings were planted from crosses planned using the data from 19 populations screened in 2005 for resistance to wilt caused by Verticillium albo-atrum. These will be evaluated in the coming seasons for disease and insect resistance and production characteristics. Field plots of 12 cultivars were examined in 2006 for aphid infestation (the insect vector for the mosaic virus) to identify genotypes that can be used in the breeding program to produce populations likely to segregate for aphid preference. (In red raspberry, aphid immunity is a common approach to avoiding virus diseases.) Additionally, 47 black and
purple raspberry selections and 13 cultivars currently growing in test blocks in the Cornell program were evaluated for horticultural traits and pest resistance for cultivar development.
Impacts
Interest in black raspberry production is increasing as research shows the potential health benefits from consuming them on a regular basis. This project has elicited numerous extension inquiries, which provides the opportunity to educate producers on a wide range of berry production problems and opportunities. This project will reintroduce eastern growers to this crop and provide practical knowledge about cultivar use based on side by side evaluations in real world conditions. The development of new cultivars is needed to increase the yield to provide growers with viable option in their diversified production systems.
Publications
- Weber, C. 2006. Black raspberry potential, pitfalls and progress. North American Bramble Growers Association 2006 Conference Proceedings. 39-41.
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