Project Number: 1931-21000-012-02
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jun 01, 2003
End Date: May 31, 2008

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research project is to determine whether survival of blackberries in colder regions can be improved by micro-environment modifications through lowering the canopy with the rotatable cross-arm trellis and cane training techniques and the use of insulating cover material.

Approach:
Rotatable cross trellis components developed by USDA in Kearneysville, WV will be shipped by truck freight to the cooperator at the University of New Hampshire. These components will be assembled and installed in established blackberry plantings and trellis wires will be installed so that emerging canes can be trained onto the trellis. In late fall, the cross-arms will be rotated to re-position all canes close to the ground and covered with insulating fabric. Temperature probes and data loggers will be installed under the cover to measure air and internal bud temperatures hourly for one week per month from November to March. Bud and cane survival will be assessed visually and with viability staining techniques. Yield, % fruit set, fruit number and weight of individual fruit will be measured each year of the study. Analysis will be performed to evaluate economic sustainability of the new production system.