APF-236T

Blackberry

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Chester' and 'Black Satin'

Summary: The plants of 'APF-236T' have an upright growth habit while the plants of 'Chester' and 'Black Satin' have a semi-upright to spreading growth habit. The dormant canes of 'APF-236T' are shorter and have a smaller diameter than those of the reference varieties. The terminal leaf of 'APF-236T' has a medium degree of blistering between veins, while the terminal leaf of the reference varieties have a very weak degree of blistering. The upper side of the leaf of 'APF-236T' has a strong degree of glossiness while 'Chester' has a weak to medium degree of glossiness and 'Black Satin' has a very weak to weak degree of glossiness. The fruit of 'APF-236T' is shorter than that of 'Black Satin' and narrower than that of 'Chester'. 'APF-236T' bears fruit on the current years cane while the reference varieties do not bear fruit on the current years cane. 'APF-236T' begins flowering and fruit ripening on the previous years cane early to mid-season whereas 'Chester' begins flowering and fruit ripening late in the season.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit, medium to many new canes, bears fruit on current and previous year`s cane, produces suckers from roots
DORMANT CANE: medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, few branches, distribution of branches predominantly on upper third, rounded to angular in cross-section
SPINES: absent

YOUNG SHOOT: very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration during rapid growth, medium green, medium number of glandular hairs

LEAF: predominantly three leaflets per leaf, palmate type, medium to dark green on upper side, strong glossiness on upper side
PETIOLE: medium sized stipules
TERMINAL LEAFLET: lobing absent, v-shaped in cross-section, absent or very weak undulation of margin, medium degree of blistering between veins, shallow to medium depth serrated incisions of margin

FLOWERING ON PREVIOUS YEAR'S CANE: begins early to mid-season
FLOWERING ON CURRENT YEAR'S CANE: begins mid-season
PEDICEL: sparse glandular hairs
FLOWER: white

FRUIT RIPENING ON PREVIOUS YEAR'S CANE: begins early to mid-season
FRUIT RIPENING ON CURRENT YEAR'S CANE: begins mid-season
FRUIT: small to medium length to width ratio, medium ovate to elliptic shape in longitudinal section, black
DRUPLET: few per fruit, small

Origin & Breeding History: 'APF-236T' arose from the hand-pollinated cross between 'APF-120T' and 'APF-132T', conducted in 2007, near Clarksville, Arkansas, USA. From the resulting progeny, 'APF-236T' was selected in 2009 based on thornless canes, dwarf growth habit, fruit size, fruit quality and primocane flower bud formation. It was asexually propagated from root cuttings in 2009. 'APF-236T' was further evaluated in 2009 near Clarksville, Arkansas and in 2010 in Lowell, Oregon, USA.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'APF-236T' was conducted in Chilliwack, British Columbia during the 2016-2017 growing season. The plots were planted in May of 2015, in a randomized complete block design. Each variety consisted of 3 replicates per variety with 4 plants per replicate, for a total of 12 plants of each variety. Spacing was approximately 1.2 metres between plants in the row and approximately 3 metres between rows. Measured characteristics were based on a minimum of 10 measurements. The mean differences are significant at the 5% probability level based on a paired student's T-test.

Comparison tables for 'APF-236T' with reference varieties 'Chester' and 'Black Satin'

Dormant cane length (cm)

Dormant cane diameter (cm)

Fruit length (cm)

Fruit width (cm)

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Blackberry: 'APF-236T' (centre) with reference varieties 'Black Satin' (left) and 'Chester' (right)

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Blackberry: 'APF-236T' (right) with reference varieties 'Black Satin' (left) and 'Chester' (centre)

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Blackberry: 'APF-236T' (left) with reference varieties 'Black Satin' (centre) and 'Chester' (right)