Latin name: Rubus subgenus Rubus Watson.
Varietal denomination: ‘APF-238T’.
The new primocane-fruiting cultivar of blackberry called ‘APF-238T’ is described herein. The new cultivar originated from a hand-pollinated cross of ‘APF-27’ (non-patented, unreleased genotype) x ‘APF-77’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,249) made in 2006. The seeds resulting from this controlled hybridization were germinated in a greenhouse in the spring of 2007 and planted in a field near Clarksville, Ark. (West-Central Arkansas). The seedlings fruited in the summer of 2009 and one seedling, designated ‘APF-238T,’ and was selected for its medium-sized berries with sweet flavor, produced on very healthy plants with erect, thornless canes that are primocane-fruiting.
The new and distinct cultivar of blackberry originated from a hand-pollinated cross of ‘APF-27’ (non-patented, unreleased genotype) x ‘APF-77’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,249) made in 2006. The botanical designation of the new cultivar of blackberry is Rubus L. subgenus Rubus Watson. The seeds resulting from this controlled hybridization were germinated in a greenhouse in the winter to early spring of 2007 and planted in a field near Clarksville, Ark. The seedlings fruited in the summer of 2009 on floricanes and one seedling, designated ‘APF-238T,’ and was selected for its medium-sized berries with sweet flavor, produced on very healthy plants with erect, thornless canes that are primocane-fruiting.
During 2009, the original plant selection was propagated asexually from root cuttings at the above-noted location, and a test row of 20 plants was established. Subsequently, larger test plantings have been established with asexually multiplied plants at two locations in Arkansas.
The new cultivar has been asexually multiplied annually since 2009 by the use of root cuttings and by rooting adventitious shoots from root cuttings. It forms new shoots from adventitious buds on root cuttings readily. During all asexual multiplication, the characteristics of the original plant have been maintained and no aberrant phenotypes have appeared.
The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new variety in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this character. The plants from which the images were taken were 3 years old.
Plants and fruit of this new cultivar differ phenotypically from its parents. The new cultivar has thornless canes, is earlier in primocane bloom, and has more intense primocane bloom expression compared to its female parent ‘APF-27.’ The new cultivar has thornless canes, is earlier ripening, has smaller but firmer fruit than its male parent ‘APF-77.’ Although blackberries (Rubus subgenus Rubus Watson) are highly heterogeneous and outcrossing, and most clones contain genes from more than one species, the new cultivar and its progenitor lines phenotypically exhibit characters predominately of the erect eastern United States species, Rubus allegheniensis Porter (highbush blackberry).
Plants of the new cultivar are vigorous and prolific and row establishment following planting is rapid. Both primocanes and floricanes are erect in growth habit. The canes can be trained to a self-supporting hedgerow although it is beneficial to use a trellis with supporting wires to prevent canes from falling over due to wind or heavy fruit loads. The plants are thornless. Plants and fruit are resistant to anthracnose [Elsinoe veneta (Burkh.) Jenkins], and plants have shown no evidence of susceptibility to orange rust [Gymnoconia nitens (Schwein.) F. Kern and H. W. Thurston.]. The plants have low susceptibility to cane and leaf rust (Kuehneola uredines (Link) Arthur). No screening has been done for resistance to double blossom/rosette [Cercosporella rubi (Wint.) Plakidas]
The floricane bloom period of the new cultivar begins on average 14 April for 10% bloom and 21 April for 50% bloom and was very near that of ‘APF-45’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,449). Primocane bloom begins 8 June and is 21 days before ‘APF-45’.
Floricane fruit of the new cultivar has an average first harvest date of 4 June and is near or 2-3 days earlier than that of ‘APF-45’, while primocane fruit average first harvest date was 10 July and was 21 days earlier than ‘APF 45.’ The average floricane fruiting period is 30 days while the primocane harvest date can extend to more than 40 days depending on environmental conditions.
Fruit yields of the new cultivar on floricanes are on average 2.1 kg (4.7 lb/plant), lower than that of ‘APF-45’ in West-Central Arkansas.
The fruit is round and glossy with a uniform black finish. The floricane and primocane fruit is medium (ave. 6.0 g and 6.5 g, respectively) and usually 1.0 g or more smaller than ‘APF-45’. Fruit size can decline near the end of the floricane harvest season, but is usually maintained for the entire primocane season. The new cultivar exhibits excellent floricane fruit fertility with full drupelet set and if bloom and fruit development temperatures remain below 90° F. (32° C.) the primocane fruit set is excellent; higher temperatures can lead to reduced set and reduced berry size. Fruit firmness is not as high as ‘APF-45’. Storage potential of fresh fruit of the new cultivar is not as high as ‘APF-45’ as it has higher leakage as well as softer berries after storage. The dry seed weight for the new cultivar averaged 3.0 mg/seed (floricane fruit), smaller than ‘APF-45’.
The fresh fruit rates very well in flavor and is a noteworthy attribute of the cultivar and is comparable to or exceeding that of ‘APF-45’. Consistent excellent flavor was noted at repeated observations of fruit of this cultivar over the years of evaluation including after rain events that can reduce flavor and overall fruit quality. The flavor is sweet and low acid, with desirable aromatics. The soluble solids concentration averages 13.2% (floricane) and 12.8% (primocanes) on shiny black fruit, comparable to higher than ‘APF 45’. Fruit and flower clusters are medium-large, cymose, and are mostly borne on the periphery of the plant canopy, providing easy access to harvest.
The following is a detailed description of the botanical and pomological characteristics of the subject blackberry. Color data are presented in Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart designations (1986 2nd edition). Where dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations of averages set forth as accurately as practicable.
Plants used for botanical data were two years old, unless otherwise noted, and grown on a fine sandy loam soil with trickle irrigation at or near Clarksville, Ark. The plants were fertilized near budbreak with complete or nitrogen fertilizer and had an additional nitrogen fertilizer application in early July. Primocanes were tipped at approximately 1.14 m (45 inches) and grown in a hedgerow training system. Weeds were controlled with pre- and post-emergent herbicides supplemented with mechanical weed control activities. A single application of liquid lime sulfur was applied to the plants at budbreak, but no other fungicides were used. The descriptions reported herein are from specimens grown near Clarksville, Ark.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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PP6679 | Moore | Mar 1989 | P |
PP8510 | Moore | Dec 1993 | P |
PP11861 | Clark et al. | May 2001 | P2 |
PP11865 | Clark et al. | May 2001 | P2 |
PP14935 | Clark | Jun 2004 | P2 |
PP15788 | Clark | Jun 2005 | P2 |
PP16989 | Clark et al. | Aug 2006 | P3 |
PP17162 | Clark et al. | Oct 2006 | P3 |
PP17983 | Cabrera Avalos | Sep 2007 | P2 |
PP20891 | Clark | Mar 2010 | P3 |
PP22449 | Clark | Jan 2012 | P3 |
PP23497 | Clark et al. | Mar 2013 | P3 |
PP24249 | Clark | Feb 2014 | P3 |
PP25864 | Clark | Sep 2015 | P3 |
PP26120 | Clark | Nov 2015 | P3 |
PP26368 | Banados Ortiz et al. | Feb 2016 | P3 |
PP26405 | Clark et al. | Feb 2016 | P3 |
PP26413 | Ortiz et al. | Feb 2016 | P3 |
PP26990 | Clark | Aug 2016 | P3 |
PP27032 | Clark | Aug 2016 | P2 |
PP27401 | Clark et al. | Nov 2016 | P3 |
PP28598 | Clark | Nov 2017 | P3 |
Entry |
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