EDUCATING PRODUCERS ON THE BENEFITS OF GROWING PRIMOCANE FRUITING BLACKBERRIES

EDUCATING PRODUCERS ON THE BENEFITS OF GROWING PRIMOCANE FRUITING BLACKBERRIES Brown*, M.V. 1 , Wright, S.R. 2 and Prochaska, S.C. 3 1 Assistant Professor/Small Fruit Crop Specialist, Ohio State University South Centers, 1864 Shyville Rd., Piketon, Ohio 45661 2 Horticulture Specialist, Ohio State University South Centers, 1864 Shyville Rd., Piketon, Ohio 45661 3 Associate Professor/Extension Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Crawford County, 117 E. Mansfield, Bucyrus, Ohio 44820 Abstract An educational program has been developed through Ohio State University South Centers and Ohio State University Extension to promote awareness among fruit growers in Ohio about the benefits of growing primocane fruiting blackberries. Blackberry growers have experienced several years of poor fruit production due to late spring frosts that have either severely reduced or eliminated fruit production. The University of Arkansas has over the last 13 years developed new erect blackberries that produce fruit on the first year growth (primocanes). Field trials of primocane fruiting blackberries have been established at the OSU South Centers in south central Ohio and at the OSU Unger Farm in north central Ohio. These trials serve as key educational demonstration plots to train fruit growers about primocane bearing blackberry vegetative and fruiting habits. More than 400 growers have received hands-on educational programs on primocane fruiting blackberry production by attending six (6) field nights at OSU South Centers and OSU Unger Farm, two (2) update presentations at the Ohio Produce Growers and Marketers Association annual meetings, and ten (10) individual tours at OSU South Centers. Field demonstration trials can serve as valuable tools for instructing growers on primocane fruiting blackberry production practices. Additional information on production inputs and potential profit will be provided to growers as new data is gathered from the research plots. Extension personnel can use demonstration fruit trials, grower talks and power point handouts to instruct their local fruit growers on the benefits of growing primocane fruiting blackberries in areas that are prone to mild to severe spring frosts. Program Background Ohio blackberry growers have experienced several years of poor fruit production due to winter injury or spring frost damage on floricanes. Blackberries are biennial cane producing plants, where primocanes grow in the first season and become fruit producing floricanes in the second year. However, primocane fruiting blackberries are genetically able to produce fruit, eliminating the need for floricanes (Fig. 1).

Objectives

Promote awareness of primocane fruiting blackberries

Teach benefits of primocane fruiting production system

Compare primocane and floricane fruit production

Primocane Fruiting Plant Material The University of Arkansas has over the last 13 years developed a breeding program (Prime-Ark™) for primocane fruiting erect blackberries. Prime-Jim® and Prime-Jan® were the first varieties released, and additional selections under evaluation include APF-27, APF-40, APF-41, APF-45, APF-46, APF-52, APF-77, APF-116, and APF-2241. Extension Outreach Growers received hands-on educational training through demonstration field trials, grower talks and power point presentations (Fig. 2). Small fruit producers were taught about the production aspects of the primocane fruiting system being developed for erect blackberries. Field trials have been successfully used at the OSU South Centers, Piketon and the OSU Unger Farm, Bucyrus to train small fruit growers about primocane bearing blackberries. Future Programs Educational programs will focus on the economic impact of primocane blackberry fruit production in Ohio. Economic budgets will be developed for growers to compare floricane and primocane fruiting systems.