Raspberries

Science programme: Berryfruit & hops breeding

Our raspberry breeding programme, started in 1986, aims to develop pest-and disease-resistant low chill types with high quality fruit for the fresh market or for processing. From small beginnings in Canterbury the HortResearch raspberry breeding programme was expanded with considerable grower assistance through the 1990s and is now operating in New Zealand and in Washington State, USA.

Considerable advances have been made with the development of machine-harvested types and with selections suitable for transport and fresh marketing. New cultivars released include 'Motueka', 'Moutere', 'Tadmor' and 'Waimea'. In recent years genetic experiments have been completed investigating the inheritance of environmental adaptation, fruit quality, components of yield and fruit colour. Information obtained will be very useful for future breeding of new cultivars.

Our programme is supported by SouthHort Ltd and NW Plants in Washington State, USA.