Multiple flowering of blackberry and its role in the formation of this crop harvest in the conditions of Central Russia

Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding (VNIISPK), 302530, Orel, Russian Federation

^* Corresponding author: gruner@vniispk.ru

Abstract

The materials of the article present data on the various manifestations of ability of repeated flowering and fruiting during one growing season by representatives of the subgenus Eubatus Focke (blackberry). The research was carried out in experimental plantings of the Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding (city of Orel). Classical methods of cultivar study were used. Experimental blackberry cultivars have different maturation periods, so the delayed formation of peduncles is of unequal importance when growing them. In this regard, the purpose of the work was to study the phenomenon of multiple flowering and fruiting of blackberry in the conditions of the Orel region of Russia, to identify cultivars and breeding forms with the greatest severity of this trait, to show its positive and negative sides. As a result, it has been found that the ability of blackberries to flower repeatedly is a characteristic feature of this crop, and for a number of cultivars it is a valuable economic feature in the conditions of Central Russia. Three main types of this phenomenon are shown, which manifest themselves differently in the studied cultivars and forms. Based on the data obtained, we believe that early ripening blackberry cultivars are preferred for the middle part of Russia.