Performance of primocane fruiting red raspberries

Nine relatively new primocane fruiting raspberry genotypes were evaluated a long with 4 standard cultivars in a randomized complete block experiment in central Pennsylvania from 1994-1997. 'Autumn Bliss' and 'Redwing' were the heaviest producers, followed by 'Polana' and 'Caroline'. Heavy yields were primarily a function of earliness, rather than cane density, though cane d ensity varied considerably among cultivars. 'Polana' was a particularly att ractive fruit, with a bright red color, even small drupelets, and an ovoid shape. 'Dinkum' also had exceptionally high quality fruit, with good flavor and firmness, however the season was later, resulting in lower yields. The flavor of 'Anne: 'Caroline' and 'Rossana' were ranked highest Berry size w as largest on 'Ruby' and 'Anne' (two of the tower yielding cultivars), 'Aut umn Bliss' and 'Autumn Britten' (two of the highest yielding cultivars). Si ze and flavor of 'Golden Harvest' was unacceptable for commercial productio n in this experiment.