Cane Characteristics Associated with Berry Number of Red Raspberry1

Abstract

Abstract In a 3-year study of ‘Willamette’ red raspberry canes the number of berries per lateral and the number of berries per cane were positively correlated with cane diameter. The number of fruitful nodes per cane was negatively correlated with cane diameter. Increased cane height caused more berries per lateral but the effect on number of berries per cane was minimal because of fewer fruiting laterals. The yield of ‘Puyallup’ was more adversely affected by reduced numbers of fruiting laterals than that of ‘Willamette’. Higher topping increased the number of berries per cane by leaving more fruiting laterals. Berries per lateral was affected more by the amount removed in topping than by height of topping. Cane diameter and height accounted for less than 25% of the variation in total berry production. Cane quality and other factors must also be considered in developing production practices for maximum yield.