‘APF-45’ Primocane-fruiting Blackberry

Additional index words.Rubus, fruit breeding, small fruits, postharvest handling 'APF-45' was introduced to broaden the choices of this innovative, primocane-fruiting blackberry (Rubus L. subgenus Rubus Watson) type.This is the third in the University of Arkansas Prime-ArkÒ Brand Primocane Fruiting Blackberry cultivar line and will be marketed as Prime-ArkÒ 45.It follows the release of 'APF-8' and 'APF-12' (marketed as Prime-JanÒ and Prime-JimÒ, respectively) in 2004 (Clark et al., 2005).This unique type of blackberry fruits on current-season canes (primocanes) and second-season canes (floricanes).Traditional blackberry cultivars fruit on floricanes, requiring canes to be overwintered to produce a crop.This fruiting habit has the potential to expand blackberry production much like that which has occurred for primocane-fruiting red raspberries (Rubus ideaus L.).These first two primocane-fruiting cultivars were intended primarily for home-garden production and for limited commercial trial evaluations.'APF-45' is the first primocanefruiting cultivar with commercial-quality fruit characteristics with postharvest potential for shipping.It may broaden production both seasonally and geographically to strengthen blackberry growing and marketing.Origin 'APF-45' resulted from a cross of APF-1 • 'APF-12' (Fig. 1) made in 2000 at the University of Arkansas Fruit Research Station, Clarksville.The original plant was selected in June 2002 in a seedling field at the same location during evaluation of floricane fruits.It was tested as selection APF-45.At the time of selection, it was noted to have the firmest fruit compared with other primocane-fruiting selections found at that time in the primocanefruiting blackberry breeding program.