Development of Caneberry Cultivars for Production In Low-Chill Climates

Farmers, breeders, shipper/marketers, and retailers have grown the berry category to the largest category in the produce department, contributing about 7.9% of produce sales.   Advancements in genetics, shipping, growing, and packaging have helped all berry types become available year-round, and production in low-chill environments has been critical to the growth of this category.  The paucity of caneberry varieties available for successful winter season production in these low-chill environments highlights the need for genetic improvement efforts.  With particular emphasis on blackberry, breeding experiences with regard to costs, logistics, and genotype by environment interactions will be discussed relative to low-chill environment production.  How photoperiod, dormancy, low-chill versus no-chill, and stress influence floral bud initiation, productivity, and breeding decisions will be highlighted.