Further evidence that the British raspberry season has changed beyond all recognition was evident this month when Total Berry, research and development division Redeva and its growers joined forces at the second farm walk of the year at Gaskain's Farm at Selling, Kent to review the results of this season's raspberry trials.
Dr Lindrea Latham, research agronomist at Redeva, reported: "We have been really pleased with the rapid development of a range of berries since forming a partnership with Plant Sciences Inc (PSI). Historically Redeva focussed principally on strawberry breeding yet here we are just over two years down the line with some really promising raspberry and blackberry selections to
add to the exciting strawberry programme. It is very much 'watch this space' because our work is moving on leaps and bounds and there is more to come.”
Looking to the future, the raspberry breeding programme, which combines the expertise of the US-based PSI and Redeva, has at least a further 14 new selections in the pipeline, which will continue to provide not just large-sized fruit but also introduce new colours, tastes and flavours.
While Total Berry's growers in the UK have been developing and reaping the benefits of the new raspberry varieties Radiance and Grandeur, other PSI growers in key supply sources (Spain, Morocco and Kenya) have concurrently been developing these varieties to provide continuity of supply throughout the rest of the year for UK consumers.
The key to success with raspberries has been from the results from two varieties, Grandeur and Radiance, where yields last year reached 20 and 15 tonnes per hectare respectively. They are still expecting yields gains to be made as more is learnt about how to best grow these varieties in UK conditions.
British raspberry production now extends from late May until the first frosts in November, increasing home-grown availability for retail customers beyond the historic six-week mid-summer period to seven months.
This has been made possible by primocane varieties cropping heavily during both floricane (late May-July) and primocane (August-November) seasons. Both varieties have already become highly accepted by retailers through producing quality with higher levels of consistency.
The tour was also able to see the promising results from other berries, which includes the latest primocane blackberry, Incentive.
It fruits in July, three weeks earlier than other main season varieties, resulting in yields of 15 tonnes per hectare, and has been so successful that all plant stocks available for planting next year have been sold out.
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