RASPBERRY BREEDING IN MONTENEGRO

Abstract

In order to improve the characteristics of fruit and increase resistance to various biotic and abiotic factors, Ekoplant Company (Podgorica, Montenegro) started a raspberry breeding project in 2008. Cross-breeding was performed with planned hybridizations between the most economically important primocane and summer fruiting cultivars and wild raspberries from the northern area of Montenegro. Eleven cultivars ('Tulameen', 'Glen Ample', 'Autumn Bliss', 'Glen Moy', 'Glen Prosen', 'Himbo Top', '‘Polana', ‘Rossana’, 'Porana Rosa', 'Polka', 'Malahat' ) and three genotypes of wild raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) from 1200 m elevation, which were selected based on taste and quality of fruit from their natural habitats were used as parents in the project. The seed was extracted from the fruit, dried, scarified with sulfuric acid, and then stratified for 30 d to increase germination. Sowing was carried out in March into small trays. After germination, young plants were transplanted into larger containers for the purpose of growing and preparing them for field planting. Planting was performed in the field in Podgorica in spring of 2008 with plants spaced at 5×0.5 m in 20 cm diameter holes in Ekoplant nursery in Podgorica. After the first year, selections were transplanted into two climate zones - Podgorica and Bijelo Polje - Village Potrk. Standard cultivars for comparison were: ‘Tulameen;, 'Malahat', 'Willamette', 'Autumn Bliss' and 'Himbo Top'. Twenty-nine selections were made that had some superior properties compared to the parents or the standard cultivars.