Interplay of Plant Architecture, Yield-Related and Fruit Quality Traits of Primocane-Fruiting Raspberries in a Biennial Production System
摘要
The study provides a comprehensive evaluation of two primocane-fruiting cultivars, ‘Ovation’ and ‘Nobility’, in both autumn (primocane) and spring (floricane) cropping, offering insights into variations in plant architecture, yield performance, morphometric and textural fruit traits, as well as the content of taste- and health-related compounds. Number of fruits and fruiting laterals per cane were the most important determinants of the yield in both croppings, while node number per cane showed a strong positive correlation with yield on floricanes (r = 0.85). Yield was comparable between cultivars and croppings, averaging 3.2 kg per linear meter of row on primocanes and 3.1 kg per linear meter of row on floricanes. The lowest yield was obtained on primocanes of the cultivar ‘Ovation’ (381.4 g cane−1), which can be associated with its greater vigor. Fruit textural traits remained consistent across croppings, while mean fruit weight decreased (4.34 g), and berries were brighter red on floricanes. ‘Nobility’ exhibited higher total sugar content (84.52 mg g−1 fruit weight), greater sweetness (131.8), with a higher sugar-to-acid ratio (8.18), indicating a more balanced and sweet taste. Fruits from primocane cropping exhibited higher total anthocyanins (10.30 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalents 100 g−1 fruit fresh weight), whereas total phenolics were more accumulated in the floricane crop (3.58 mg gallic acid equivalents g−1 fruit fresh weight). Both cultivars showed high yield potential on floricanes, indicating their suitability for a biennial cultivation system. According to the total quality index, both cultivars scored better in primocane cropping.