Abstract:
A cultivar comparison study was conducted to identify similarities
and differences in cane characteristics between 2 primocane fruiting
red raspberry cultivars and to determine if the differences and
similarities can help determine cultural practices that may improve
productivity. The comparison of the cultivars 'Amity1 and 'August
Red' showed a difference in vegetative and fruiting characteristics.
'Amity' is much more vigorous having a greater cane length and
diameter, greater leaf area and longer distance to the first fruiting
node. 'August Red' had a greater number of fruiting sites, more
fruits set per cane and a higher percentage fruit set. Both cultivars
increased in vigor and productivity over the 2 year period. Cane
length, cane diameter and leaf area were positively correlated with
fruit numbers for both varieties.
A crop response study was conducted to determine the effect of 2
nitrogen and 3 pruning methods on earliness of flowering and the
subsequent effect on yield and cane characteristics. The treatment
effect on the canes self supportiveness was also observed. Time of
flowering and the time required for fruit ripening to occur were
unaffected by any treatment. The distribution of fruit on the cane
was greatest at the basal end fewest at the apical end. The largest
fruits were found at the apical end and the smallest at the basal end.
High N, 135 kg/ha vs. 67 kg/ha, increased yield late in the harvest
season resulting in 14% higher total yield (8.1 vs. 7.0 MT/ha).
Pruning back the current season primocane growth to 40 cm above the
ground had a detrimental effect on yield per cane but due to an
increase in the number of branched canes total yield was greater (not
significantly however); 8.0 MT/ha vs. 7.5 or 7.0 MT/ha for dormant
cane pruning at 20 cm and 0 cm respectively. None of the pruning
treatment improved the self supporting cane characteristic.
