Adaptability of raspberry primocane genotypes in a tropical environment and its implication in the raspberry production in Mexico

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The worldwide tendency for growing raspberries in different climatic environments demands the need of development new cultivars with good adaptability. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to study the adaptability of red raspberry selections for tropical conditions. RESULTS: Days to flowering, days from flowering to first pick, days to first pick, and days from transplanting to last pick were from 135 to 183 days, 22 to 49 days, 163 to 222.3 days, 250.0 to 299.5 days, respectively. Harvest period varied among genotypes, and the genotypes S.39 and S.27 had the longest harvest period and the highest marketable yields, evidencing their good adaptability to tropical conditions. Berry weight varied from 2.74 to 5.37 g, suggesting that the studied selections produced fruits with small and intermedium size. In addition, these results indicated that such genotypes might be suitable for fruit exportation to different international markets. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated the adaptability of certain genotypes such as S.39 and S.27 at a tropical environment, which might be a good option for raspberry growers producing for fresh consumption.