DrisBlackSeven

Blackberry

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Carmel' and 'Tupi'

Summary: The plants of 'DrisBlackSeven' are non-suckering whereas both reference varieties sucker from the roots. The dormant canes of 'DrisBlackSeven' have many large to very large spines whereas those of 'Carmel' have a medium number of medium sized spines. The attitude of the apex of the spine of 'DrisBlackSeven' is upwards whereas it is outwards for 'Carmel' and downwards for 'Tupi'. During rapid growth, the young shoot of 'DrisBlackSeven' has absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration with many glandular hairs whereas that of 'Carmel' has weak anthocyanin colouration and absent or few glandular hairs and that of 'Tupi' has medium to strong anthocyanin colouration and a medium number of glandular hairs. In cross section, the terminal leaflet of 'DrisBlackSeven' is v-shaped whereas it is u-shaped for 'Tupi'. The density of glandular hairs on the flower pedicel of 'DrisBlackSeven' is medium whereas it is absent or very sparse on 'Carmel'. The number of prickles on the fruiting laterals of 'DrisBlackSeven' is medium to many whereas it is very few for 'Carmel' and many to very many for 'Tupi'. The length to width ratio of 'DrisBlackSeven' is large whereas it is small for 'Tupi'. In longitudinal section, the fruit shape of 'DrisBlackSeven' is elliptic whereas it is oblong for 'Carmel' and medium ovate to circular for 'Tupi'.

Description:

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

DORMANT CANE: very weak anthocyanin colouration, medium to many branches, branches distributed over whole length of cane, rounded to angular in cross section
SPINES: many, large to very large, upwards attitude of apex in relation to cane

YOUNG SHOOT (during rapid growth): absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration, medium intensity of green colour, many glandular hairs

LEAF: predominantly seven leaflets per leaf, palmate type, light to medium intensity of green colour of upper side, medium glossiness of upper side, small to medium size stipules
TERMINAL LEAFLET: lobing absent, v-shaped in cross section, weak undulation of margin, very weak to weak blistering between veins, shallow bi-serrate incisions of margin

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

BEGINNING OF FRUIT RIPENING ON PREVIOUS YEAR'S CANE: early
FRUITING LATERAL: medium to many prickles
FRUIT: bears on previous year's cane, large length to width ratio, medium to many small to medium sized drupelets, elliptic shape in longitudinal section, black

Origin & Breeding History: 'DrisBlackSeven' is the result of the cross between 'BJ111-2' (female parent) and 'BH917-6' (male parent) conducted in April 2005 in Ventura County, California, USA. Fruit and seed were collected to produce seedlings for field planting in Santa Cruz County, California. In 2006, 'DrisBlackSeven' was selected for its high yield, flavour and season of ripening. 'DrisBlackSeven' was further propagated and underwent additional testing in La Isla Grande, Mexico from 2010 to 2012.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'DrisBlackSeven' was conducted at Expert Agriculture Team, Chilliwack, British Columbia during the 2016 growing season. The plots were planted in the spring of 2014 in a randomized complete block design. Each variety consisted of 3 replicates per 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 the rows were spaced approximately 2.5 metres apart.

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Blackberry: 'DrisBlackSeven' (top) with reference varieties 'Carmel' (centre) and 'Tupi' (bottom)

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Blackberry: 'DrisBlackSeven' (bottom) with reference varieties 'Carmel' (centre) and 'Tupi' (top)