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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » National Clonal Germplasm Repository » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #314615
Title: Toward understanding genotype x environment interactions on flowering and fruiting in black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis L.)

Author
item Bushakra, Jill
item BRADISH, CHRISTINE - North Carolina State University
item WEBER, COURTNEY - Cornell University
item SCHEERENS, JOSEPH - Ohio University
item ROBBINS, LISA - Ohio University
item DOSSETT, MICHAEL - Agriculture And Agri-Food Canada
item Peterson, Mary
item FERNANDEZ, GINA - North Carolina State University
item Bassil, Nahla
item Finn, Chad

Submitted to: Acta Horticulturae
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/12/2017
Publication Date: 4/12/2017
Citation: Bushakra, J., Bradish, C., Weber, C., Scheerens, J.C., Robbins, L., Dossett, M., Peterson, M.E., Fernandez, G., Bassil, N.V., Finn, C.E. 2017. Toward understanding genotype x environment interactions on flowering and fruiting in black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis L.). Acta Horticulturae. 1117:25-30.

Interpretive Summary: Since the early 1900s, the black raspberry industry in the United States has steadily declined due to lack of cultivars that are adapted to a range of environments and that have disease resistance. Interest in developing new cultivars has been fueled by research that supports the health benefits of consuming dark-pigmented fruit in general and black raspberries in particular. We are developing methods to study the genetics of black raspberry that will benefit both black and red raspberry U.S. breeding programs. We are measuring traits of economic interest in multiple sites across the North American production region. This data will be used to identify and implement molecular tools that will assist plant breeders in selecting parents to develop new cultivars that will satisfy the demands of growers and consumers regionally and nationally.

Technical Abstract: The black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis)industry in the United States has declined over the past 75 years due to a lack of new cultivars to meet the needs of the growers and consumers. The health benefits of dark fruits, especially black raspberry, are well documented and this has led to renewed interest in breeding for this minor crop. We are seeking to expand our knowledge and understanding of a variety of traits that will lead to the more rapid development and release of improved cultivars to meet industry needs. Two related full-sib populations, designated ORUS 4304 (192 progeny) and ORUS 4305 (115 progeny), were planted across the U.S. production regions. Dates of first flowering and date of first ripe fruit, among other traits, were taken at each location. Preliminary analysis suggests that environment has a large role in the timing and length of flowering with colder environments having longer and later flowering times.