World-renowned raspberry breeder Vicky Knight retired from at East Malling Research (EMR) this week, after a career spanning 35 years.
Knight has released 11 raspberry varieties and seven Ribes varieties (currants and gooseberries) to the UK horticultural industry, as well as three raspberry varieties for the amateur market and three for overseas markets.
The highest royalties have been returned on Octavia, Redpoll and Pax, over the last five years.
Malling Autumn Bliss, which was bred by Elizabeth Keep (who retired in 1983) and developed by Knight, won an Outstanding Cultivar award from the American Society for Horticultural Science in 2005. It was the first time it had given the award outside North America. The primocane fruiting raspberry became a commercially available in the UK and it has been grown all over the world.
Knight hopes that one of the last varieties to be released from her breeding programme, Autumn Treasure, will prove a real winner for both the soft-fruit industry and amateurs.
Knight has trained raspberry breeders from around the world who have come to EMR over the years, specifically to learn from its experts. She has trained dozens of undergraduate students from the UK and overseas over the years, several of whom have gone on to do PhDs and have become plant breeders. “It has been a joy to work with so many delightful young people,” said Knight.
Dr Mike Solomon, former science director for EMR, said: “Vicky Knight has had a highly successful career as a plant breeder, having produced a series of outstanding raspberry varieties. In addition, she leaves a legacy of raspberry germplasm from a wide range of genetic sources, which will greatly benefit future breeding programmes. East Malling and the raspberry industry will miss her!”
Knight hopes her retirement will allow her to do more of the activities she enjoys, including gardening, walking, Scottish dancing and travelling.
No comments yet