Rafzaqu

Raspberry

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Autumn Britten', 'Autumn Bliss' and 'Caroline'

Summary: 'Rafzaqu' differs from the reference varieties mainly in the length of the current season's cane, spine density and length, number of leaflets per leaf, fruit length and fruit colour. 'Rafzaqu' has a much longer current season's cane length than the reference varieties. The spine density for 'Rafzaqu' is sparse to moderate while it is moderate to dense for 'Autumn Britten' and 'Autumn Bliss'. The length of the spines for 'Rafzaqu' is short to medium while it is medium to long for 'Autumn Britten' and 'Autumn Bliss'. 'Rafzaqu' has predominantly equally three and five leaflets per leaf while 'Autumn Britten' and 'Caroline' have usually three and "Autumn Bliss' has usually five. The fruit length is shorter for 'Rafzaqu' than for the reference varieties. 'Rafzaqu' has fruit that is light to medium red while it is medium to dark red for 'Autumn Britten' and 'Caroline' and dark red for 'Autumn Bliss'.

Description:

PLANT: fruit bearing only on current year's cane in autumn
VERY YOUNG SHOOT: no anthocyanin colouration at apex

CANE: medium to strong glaucosity, absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration, medium to long internode, medium length vegetative bud
SPINES: present, sparse to moderate density, small to medium sized base, short to medium length, purple

LEAF: medium to dark green
LEAFLET: equally three and five per leaf, convex profile of cross section, weak rugosity between the veins, touching relative position

FLOWERING: slightly earlier than mid season
PEDICEL: medium number of spines
PEDUNCLE: absent anthocyanin colouration
FLOWER: medium size

FRUIT RIPENING: beginning early season
FRUIT: short to medium length, medium width, length/width ratio is as long as broad, broad conical shape in lateral view, large drupe, light to medium red, weak glossiness, soft firmness, weak to medium adherence to plug
FRUITING PERIOD: moderate duration

Origin & Breeding History: 'Rafzaqu' originated from a cross made by the original breeder in the year 1990 between the fall raspberry variety 'Autumn Bliss' and the summer raspberry variety 'Rafzeter'. The progeny were selected by continued evaluation for strong growth, fruit size, colour, shape, taste and firmness. The crossing and the follow-up selection work was made in the breeder's premises at Fruits and Berries, Rafz, Switzerland.

Tests & Trials: Plants were planted in the spring of 2006 in 21 cm diameter pots filled with a commercial soil-less potting mix and raised in a greenhouse. There were 25 pots spaced 30 cm apart for each variety. Plants were potted up and moved to the greenhouse in the spring of 2006 and examined in the fall of 2007. Plants were maintained at a minimum of twenty degrees Celsius throughout. No chilling periods were given in the winter of 2006-2007.

Comparison tables for 'Rafzaqu' with reference varieties 'Autumn Britten', 'Autumn Bliss' and 'Caroline'

Current season's cane length (cm)

Terminal leaflet length (cm)

Terminal leaflet width (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Raspberry: 'Rafzaqu' (bottom left) with reference varieties 'Autumn Bliss' (top left), 'Carolina' (top right) and 'Autumn Britten' (bottom right)