Holes in pruned blackberry canes?

Hannah Burrack may have figured out what is making the holes in pruned blackberry canes. Check out this post:
http://entomology.ces.ncsu.edu/2013/12/bees-in-pruned-canes/

Managing (?) older plantings of raspberries and blackberries

In our raspberry trials in the NC mountains, where raspberries are adapted and are capable of producing good crops, we have seen productivity decline after the 5th year of fruit production. While in the peidmont areas, we see a dramatic decline in the 2nd year of fruit production of raspberries (they are not adapted to the region). Blackberries on the other hand, tend to be more adapted and will live longer in most regions of the state. However, how long they will last is not known. In North Carolina and other states in the Southern US a recent rise in acreage of blackberries occurred in the past few years and as these plantings age, we need to monitor them to determine how long they will be productive both in terms of fruit and profits.

In the southern US, heat, drought, insects, diseases, if not controlled can take their toll on the productivity of a blackberry and raspberry field. Likewise, plant and soil health needs to be monitored in order to provide a plant with optimal nutrition.  Because this is a fairly new industry, we don't have long term experiences with the crop, however, below are a list of things to think about and address as needed as your plantings age.

Observation of annual growth. Growers should keep good records of individual fields and compare productivity from year-to-year. In addition to yield records, the plants health can be monitored by looking number of canes/plant, cane diameter,  and number of fruiting laterals. You do not need to count each of these, but a picture taken at the same spot in the field each year could help you identify any issues.

Diseases and insects. There is a long list of diseases that can negatively impact  blackberry or raspberry plant health.  In fields that are lightly managed, I most often see cane blight and viruses, and borers negatively impact productivity. 

Weeds. Perennial weeds harder to control over time and annual weeds will compete with crop. Both will impact productivity if left unchecked.

Fertility. There is no known long term research for caneberry fertility in the southern US. However, routine soil and plant tissue samples will help you determine needs and adjustments. Tissue samples should be taken each year and sent for evaluation. In NC, samples should be taken after fruit harvested from the plants. Leaves from the 3-5th node of the primocane plant should be taken and sent to NCDA and they will make recommendations for the following season. Keep your records so you can see if there are trends in your fields. Below are the recommended levels of macro and micronutrients.

Yield and prifitabilty. Good yield records for each field should be taken every year. A simple comparison each year will be your most useful indicator of planting productivity over time. Based on a budget developed at NC State University, when a grower is getting $14/flat, a 10% reduction in yield, their returns fall from $6036 to $4359/acre (see blue font below). You can get a copy of this budget and play with the inputs (any boxes that are blue can be edited).  http://ncsu.edu/enterprises/blackberries-raspberries/management/blackberry-raspberry-budgets-pricing/

Estimated Returns per Acre for Commercial Blackberry Production
for Varying Yields and Wholesale Prices per Flat.  Total yield 19,000lbs/acre, 80% marketable, so net of 15,200 marketable lbs/acre.
	Wholesale Market ($/flat)	Marketable Flats per Acre
		1,621	2,027	2,533	3,040	3,648
	$8.96	($8,173)	($7,533)	($6,732)	($5,932)	($4,971)
	$11.20	($4,542)	($2,993)	($1,058)	$878	$3,200
	$14.00	($2)	$2,682	$6,036	$9,390	$13,415
	$16.80	$4,538	$8,356	$13,129	$17,902	$23,629
	$20.16	$9,986	$15,166	$21,641	$28,116	$35,887

Estimated Returns per Acre for Commercial Blackberry Production
for Varying Yields and Wholesale Prices per Flat. Total yield is 17,100 lbs/acre, 80% marketable yield, so net of $13,600 lbs/acre.
	Wholesale Market ($/flat)	Marketable Flats per Acre¹
		1,459	1,824	2,280	2,736	3,283
	$8.96	($8,429)	($7,853)	($7,133)	($6,412)	($5,548)
	$11.20	($5,161)	($3,767)	($2,025)	($283)	$1,807
	$14.00	($1,075)	$1,340	$4,359	$7,377	$11,000
	$16.80	$3,011	$6,447	$10,743	$15,038	$20,193
	$20.16	$7,914	$12,576	$18,403	$24,231	$31,224

Scientists find aphid resistance in black raspberry

Here is a link to an article about research from the USDA-ARS group in Corvallis. Scientists find aphid resistance in black raspberry

This is the work that inspired our current black raspberry project. http://teamrubus.blogspot.com/2012/08/black-raspberry-project.html

Why is this research important? As they mention at the end of the article, aphids transmit viruses and viruses can be deleterious to plants.

We will be looking at black raspberry populations related to those in the USDA study back here in NC. Part of our task will be to look for additional traits that will be of economic importance. What will those traits be? Well, we are not sure at this time, we have lots of ideas and we will keep you posted!

NC Small Fruit & Specialty Crop IPM: Kudzu bugs on caneberries?

We saw some new bugs on our plots last week. Here is Dr. Hannahs Buracks, NCSU Entomologists response:

NC Small Fruit & Specialty Crop IPM: Kudzu bugs on caneberries?: Kudzu bugs ( Megacoptera criberia ) on raspberry plants at the Piedmont Research Station, Salisbury, NC. Photo: PRS. My Monday morning ...

Fall Caneberry Field Work 2011

Blackberry and Raspberry (Caneberry/Bramble) Field Work for Fall 2011

Gina Fernandez, Small Fruit Specialist, North Carolina State University

Plant growth and development
• Primocanes continue to grow, but slow down
• Flower buds start to form
• Primocane leaves senesce late fall

Harvest
• Primocane fruit harvest continues until frost

Pruning and trellising
• Spent floricanes should be removed asap
• Optimal time to prune is after the coldest part of the season is over. However pruning can start in late fall if plantings are large (late winter for smaller plantings)
• Start trellis repairs after plants have defoliated

Weed management
• Many summer weed problems can be best managed in the fall and winter using preemergent herbicides. Determine what weeds have been or could be a problem in your area. Check with your states agricultural chemical manual and local extension agent for the best-labeled chemicals to control these weeds.

Insect and disease scouting
• Continue scouting for insects and diseases.
• Remove damaged canes as soon as possible to lessen the impact of the pest.
• Check the Southern Regional Bramble integrated Management Guide for recommendations.  http://www.smallfruits.org
• Also check out Hannah Burrack’s blog.  She posts timely information on insects of interest. http://ncsmallfruitsipm.blogspot.com/

Planting
• Growers in warmer areas (e.g. extreme southeastern NC) can plant in December.  Preparations for winter planting should have already been made. If you have questions about winter planting please contact me at the above email address.
• Prepare list of cultivars for next year’s new plantings. Find lists of nurseries at http://ncsu.edu/enterprises/blackberries-raspberries/?page_id=1496

Fertilizer
• Take soil tests to determine fertility needs for spring plantings.
• Non-nitrogenous fertilizers are best applied in the fall to established plantings.
• If soil is bare, plant an overwintering cover crop (e.g. rye) to build organic matter and slow soil erosion.

Marketing and miscellaneous
• Order containers for next season
• Make contacts for selling fruit next season

Make plans to attend Grower meetings! Blackberries and raspberries are part or all of these programs.
The 2012 North American Raspberry & Blackberry Conference will be January 16-18, 2012 in Sandusky, Ohio, in association w/Ohio Produce Growers and Marketers Association. http://www.raspberryblackberry.com/local.cfm?doc=webdocs/ConferencePreview.htm
Caneberry session at the 2012 GA Fruit and Vegetable conference in Savannah GA. Jan 5-7, 2012

Resources:
Southern Region Integrated Bramble Management Guide and the Southeast Regional Bramble Production Guide: http://www.smallfruits.org/SmallFruitsRegGuide/index.htm

Blackberry and Raspberry Grower Information Portal:http://www.ncsu.edu/enterprises/blackberries-raspberries

My Social Media links:
Twitter: @NCTeamRubus
Facebook : Team Rubus
Blogs: http://teamrubus.blogspot.com/

NC Blueberry Blog

Bill Cline, the NCSU Blueberry Specialist has a blog. It has lots of great information on cultivars and diseases. Check it out at http://ncblueberryjournal.blogspot.com/