DrisBlackFour

Blackberry

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Carmel'

Summary: The intensity of anthocyanin colouration of the dormant canes of 'DrisBlackFour' is medium to strong whereas it is very weak on 'Carmel'. There are a medium number of branches predominantly distributed over the whole length of the dormant cane of 'DrisBlackFour' whereas there are few branches positioned predominantly only on the upper third of the dormant cane of 'Carmel'. 'DrisBlackFour' has a medium number of spines on the dormant cane whereas 'Carmel' has few. The terminal leaflet of 'DrisBlackFour' is u-shaped in cross section whereas it is v-shaped on 'Carmel'. The stipules of 'DrisBlackFour' are large whereas they are medium sized on 'Carmel'. 'DrisBlackFour' has a smaller flower diameter than 'Carmel'. 'DrisBlackFour' has medium to many prickles on the fruiting lateral whereas 'Carmel' has few.

Description:

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

DORMANT CANE: medium to strong anthocyanin colouration, medium number of branches, distribution of branches predominantly over the whole length of cane, rounded to rounded to angular in cross section
SPINES: present, medium number, medium to large size. outwards pose of apex in relation to cane

LEAF: predominantly three to five leaflets per leaf, palmate type, medium intensity of green colour on upper side, medium glossiness of upper side, large stipules
TERMINAL LEAFLET: lobing absent, u-shaped in cross section, absent or very weak undulation of margin, weak blistering between veins, shallow to medium depth bi-serrate incisions of margin

BEGINNING OF FLOWERING ON PREVIOUS YEAR'S CANE: mid to late season
FLOWER: white, medium density of glandular hairs on pedicel

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

Origin & Breeding History: 'DrisBlackFour' arose from the cross 'Sleeping Beauty' (female parent) by 'BH917-6' (male parent) conducted in April 2003 at Cassin Ranch, Santa Cruz County, California, USA. In April 2005, 'DrisBlackFour' was initially selected from the seedling population based on excellent flavour, vigorous growth and winter fruit production. It was asexually propagated at Driscoll Nursery in Santa Cruz County, California in 2005 and underwent further propagation and testing from 2007 to 2010.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'DrisBlackFour' 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 table for 'DrisBlackFour' with reference variety 'Carmel'

Flower diameter (cm)

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Blackberry: 'DrisBlackFour' (left) with reference variety 'Carmel' (right)