WSU2166

Raspberry

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Meeker' and 'Tulameen'

Summary: The plants of 'WSU2166' have many to very many current season canes whereas the plants of 'Meeker' have a medium number of current season canes. The current season cane of 'WSU2166' has medium density of short to medium length spines whereas both reference varieties have dense medium to long spines. The terminal leaflet of 'WSU2166' is longer than that of both reference varieties. On the previous season's cane, the fruiting lateral of 'WSU2166' is longer than that of both reference varieties.

Description:

PLANT: semi upright growth habit, many to very many number of current season's canes, bears fruit on previous season's cane in summer, early vegetative bud burst

VERY YOUNG SHOOT: weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration of apex during rapid growth
CURRENT SEASON`S CANE: absent or very weak to weak bloom, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium to long internode, medium length vegetative bud, spines present
DORMANT CANE: brown
SPINES ON CURRENT SEASON'S CANE: medium density, small to medium sized base, short to medium length, purplish brown
FRUITING LATERAL ON PREVIOUS SEASON'S CANE: semi erect attitude

PEDICEL: absent or very few spines
LEAF: light to medium green colour on upper side, equally three and five leaflets, weak to medium degree of rugosity, relative position of lateral leaflets is free
LEAFLET: convex in cross-section
FLOWERING: begins early to mid-season on previous year's cane
PEDUNCLE: weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration
FLOWER: medium to large

FRUIT RIPENING: begins mid-season on previous year's cane
FRUIT: long, medium width, medium to large length to width ratio, medium conical shape in lateral view, medium red, medium glossiness, medium to firm, weak to medium adherence to plug
DRUPE: medium to large
FRUITING PERIOD: medium long on previous season's can

Origin & Breeding History: 'WSU2166' originated from a controlled cross between the parents, Washington State University selections '1447' and '0697', conducted in Washington State University Puyallup Research and Extension Centre in May, 2007. The new variety 'WSU2166' was selected in July 2010 based on adaptability of machine harvest, fruit size, and root rot resistance. Asexual reproduction by root cuttings was initiated in July 2012.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'WSU2166' was conducted in Chilliwack, British Columbia during the 2023 growing season. Plants were transplanted in April 2021 into raised beds, covered with plastic mulch and irrigated with drip lines. The plots were arranged in a RCB design with four replicates. Each replicate consisted of 3 plants for a total of 12 plants of each variety. Plants were spaced approximately 90 centimetres apart within rows and 3 metres between rows. A total of 10 measurements were taken from each variety. Mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on a Student`s t-test.

Comparison tables for 'WSU2166' with reference varieties 'Meeker' and 'Tulameen'

Terminal leaflet length (cm)

Previous season's can fruiting lateral length (cm)

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Raspberry: 'WSU2166' (centre) with reference varieties 'Tulameen' (left) and 'Meeker' (right)

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Raspberry: 'WSU2166' (left) with reference varieties 'Meeker' (centre) and 'Tulameen' (right)