ISHS Acta Horticulturae 777: IX International Rubus and Ribes Symposium
LONG CANE PRODUCTION OF RED RASPBERRY PLANTS AND EFFECT OF COLD STORAGE |
| Authors: | N. Heiberg, R. Lunde, A. Nes, B. Hageberg |
| Keywords: | out-of-season production, Rubus idaeus, polyethylene tunnel, rain cover |
| Abstract:
The aim of this work was to find methods of producing red raspberry long canes of good quality in a Northern climate with a short growing season. Plants of two red raspberry cultivars (‘Glen Ample’ and ‘Glen Moy’) were produced from roots in February and March. The plants were left in a greenhouse during spring. During summer, the plants were placed in three different environments: outdoors, under rain cover and in polyethylene tunnel; and in December, the plants were moved into cold store (-1ºC). The plants had one cane each. They were taken out of cold store at two times: 15th of May and 15th of June, and placed into a plastic tunnel for berry production. The experiment was carried out at two different places and replicated twice. The best development of long canes was obtained by growing them in polyethylene tunnels during summer and autumn the first year. These plants also developed more laterals and flowers per laterals, and gave the highest yield. The plants grown under rain cover gave higher yield than plants grown outdoors. Prolonging the cold storage of the plants from 15th of May to 15th of June reduced the yield by 22%. The reduction in yield was first of all a result of a reduction in the number of berries. The cultivar Glen Ample gave higher yield than cv. Glen Moy in all treatments. Based on the results of these experiments, use of polyethylene tunnels or rain cover for long cane production of red raspberry in Northern climate with short growing season is recommended. Delaying the harvest season by prolonging the cold storage period in spring reduced the yield, but higher prices in autumn may make it profitable. | |
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