Bramble Variety Trials in Utah to Reduce Disease, Increase Production and Enhance Profitability

View the project final report

• 2007 annual report

Commodities

• Fruits: berries (brambles)

Practices

• Education and Training: demonstration, extension, farmer to farmer, on-farm/ranch research, participatory research
• Farm Business Management: feasibility study
• Pest Management: economic threshold, integrated pest management, weather monitoring
• Production Systems: general crop production

In Utah, the production of brambles, including raspberries and blackberries, has been limited mainly to small-scale growers in the northern end of the state. These operations have recently suffered from an outbreak of raspberry bushy dwarf, a pollen-borne virus, resulting mainly from dependence on the virus-susceptible variety Canby.

This Professional + Producer grant will gather information on management systems and suitable climates for a number of recently developed varieties, some of which are resistant to raspberry bushy dwarf. Assessments will be made of several varieties, both summer- and fall-bearing, planted on existing farms in five locations representing a wide range of climates and under both organic and conventional regimens.

The goal is to expand locally grown food options for consumers and provide producers with opportunities to diversify. Once the brambles are established, field days will be held to allow other growers to learn about the new varieties.