BERRY TRIALS IN THE AZORES

Abstract

The Direccao de Servicos de Agricultura e Pecuaria, Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel, Acores, Portugal, began a collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, National Clonal Germplasm Repository at Corvallis, Oregon, and The Ohio State University, Department of Entomology in 2004. While previous horticultural production in the Azores included bananas, pineapples, apples, pears, and grapes, the cultivated temperate zone berry crops have not been grown extensively. Our objective was to compare berry cultivars in the Azores. Between 2006 and 2009, plantings of southern highbush blueberries, Vaccinium corymbosum, 'Emerald', 'Jewel,' 'Misty' and 'O'Neal'; of northern highbush blueberries, V. corymbosum, 'Brigitta', 'Duke' and 'Elliott'; and a rabbiteye cultivar, V. virgatum, 'Spring High', were established in Furnas and in Ponta Delgada. In 2007 and 2009, plantings of thornless blackberry Rubus hybrid 'Triple Crown', and two cultivars of red raspberries, Rubus idaeus 'Heritage' and 'Taylor', were established. In Furnas, only the 'Emerald' blueberry produced fruit in 2008 and 2009. The average yield in the first year was 0.4 kg/plant; in 2009 it was 2.6 kg/plant. The average fruit diameter was 13.95 mm, and weight was 2.44 g. The other cultivars did not produce fruit and the 'Jewel' plants were susceptible to leaf rust disease caused by Naohidemyces vaccinii (Wint.) Sato, Katsuya et Hiratsuka (=Pucciniastrum vaccinii). The blackberry plants produced fruit in 2009. Bud break occurred very late in the season (beginning of June) and the crop season extended from 26 August to 17 December although during the last month only a few fruit were produced. The production peak occurred on the first week of October. The 'Heritage' red raspberry fruit first ripened on 7 August and finished 14 September. The maximum production occurred on 17 August. The average fruit diameter was 15.93 mm, length was 17.50 mm, and weight was 2.60 g/berry. The raspberries became infested with the insect Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval). 'Taylor' was more susceptible than 'Heritage' to this lepidopterous pest. Trials are continuing.