DrisBlackTwo

Blackberry

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Cowles' and 'Triple Crown'

Summary: The number of branches on the dormant canes of 'DrisBlackTwo' are few to medium whereas they are many on 'Cowles'. The branches on the dormant canes of 'DrisBlackTwo' are predominantly only on the upper half whereas they are over the whole length of the dormant canes on the reference varieties. In cross section, the dormant canes of 'DrisBlackTwo' are angular whereas both reference varieties are rounded to angular. The intensity of green colour of the upper side of the leaves of 'DrisBlackTwo' is dark whereas it is medium on 'Cowles'. The leaves of 'DrisBlackTwo' have medium glossiness of the upper side whereas both reference varieties have weak. The leaf stipules of 'DrisBlackTwo' are medium sized whereas they are large on both reference varieties. 'DrisBlackTwo' has a larger flower diameter than 'Triple Crown'. The flower petals of 'DrisBlackTwo' are white with violet tinge whereas those of 'Cowles' are white and those of 'Triple Crown' are pinkish. The glandular hairs of 'DrisBlackTwo' are dense to very dense whereas they are of medium density on 'Triple Crown'. The fruit of 'DrisBlackTwo' is shorter than that of 'Cowles' and narrower than that of 'Triple Crown'. 'DrisBlackTwo' begins flowering and fruiting very late on previous season's canes in the season whereas 'Cowles' begins late.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit, medium number of new canes, non-suckering

DORMANT CANE: medium to strong anthocyanin colouration, few to medium number of branches, distribution of branches predominantly on upper half of cane, angular in cross section
SPINES: absent

LEAF: predominantly five leaflets per leaf, palmate type, dark green colour of upper side, medium glossiness of upper side, medium size stipules
TERMINAL LEAFLET: lobing absent, v-shaped in cross section, absent or very weak undulation of margin, medium blistering between veins, medium depth bi-serrate incisions of margin

BEGINNING OF FLOWERING ON PREVIOUS YEAR'S CANE: very late
FLOWER: white with violet tinge, dense to very dense glandular hairs on pedicel

BEGINNING OF FRUIT RIPENING: very late
FRUITING LATERAL: few prickles
FRUIT: bears on previous year's cane, small to medium length/width ratio, medium ovate shape in longitudinal section, black
DRUPELETS: medium to many, small to medium-sized

Origin & Breeding History: 'DrisBlackTwo' arose from the cross 'BH936-6' (female parent) by 'Cowles' (male parent) conducted in 2002 at Cassin Ranch, Santa Cruz County, California, USA. In July 2004, 'DrisBlackTwo' was initially selected from the seedling population based on spineless canes, long production season, high yield, good flavour and shipping quality. It was asexually propagated at Driscoll Nursery in Santa Cruz County, California and underwent further propagation and testing from 2005 to 2009.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'DrisBlackTwo' was conducted in Chilliwack, British Columbia during the 2014 growing season. The plots were planted in the spring of 2013 in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Each variety consisted of 3 replicates/variety with 3 plants per replicate for a total of 9 plants of each variety. Plants were spaced approximately 1.2 metres between plants in the row and spaced approximately 2.5 metres apart between rows. Measured characteristics were based on 10 measurements.

Comparison tables for 'DrisBlackTwo' with reference varieties 'Cowles' and 'Triple Crown'

Flower diameter (cm)

Fruit length (cm)

Fruit width (cm)

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Blackberry: 'DrisBlackTwo' (top left) with reference varieties 'Triple Crown' (top right) and 'Cowles' (bottom)

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Blackberry: 'DrisBlackTwo' (left) with reference varieties 'Triple Crown' (centre) and 'Cowles' (right)