Establishment of hybrid arctic bramble under field conditions

The effect of different factors on plant diameter and yield in hybrid arcti c bramble (Rubus arcticus nothosubsp. stellarcticus) was examined in two fi eld experiments with a factorial design. The studied factors included plant ing time (August, September, May or June), plant type (bare-rooted or potte d plants) and ground cover (no ground cover or mulching with a dark plastic film). Development of bare-rooted and potted plants did not differ when tr ansplanted in the autumn and in May. Potted plants developed better than ba re-rooted plants when transplanted in June. In one year, plants transplante d in May developed best, while in another, plants transplanted in the autum n developed best. Mulching with a dark plastic film improved plant developm ent. The rate of vegetative development during the first growth season was reflected in the yields in both the first and the second harvest year; the greater the plant diameter after the first growth season, the higher the yi eld.