Two new berries for BC

BC’s grower-owned berry breeding program is bearing fruit, with two new berries coming to market.

AbbyRaz Celebration, a firm, locally adapted raspberry, was officially introduced to growers last week at the Raspberry Industry Development Council (RIDC)’s golf tournament and banquet in Chilliwack on May 21.

Growers had eagerly watched progress of the selection, officially known as BCR002, since it was fast-tracked by berry breeder Michael Dossett of BC Berry Cultivar Development Inc. in 2020.

“It’s large and it’s attractive. I reached out to it and it fell into my hand,” he recalls of the moment it caught his eye in trial plots. “Then I squeezed it. I thought, ‘Wow, I’ve never felt a raspberry like that.’ It’s a beautiful, beautiful berry.”

AbbyRaz Celebration typically ripens early to mid-July through early August, helping to extend the season for growers.

Summerland Varieties Corp. is managing the variety, which is licensed to Northwest Plant Co. of Ferndale, Washington, for propagation. Work is underway to secure additional nurseries, with commercial trials underway in Ontario.

BC Berry Cultivar Development is owned by RIDC, the BC Strawberry Growers Association and BC Blueberry Council, meaning royalties from AbbyRaz Celebration will benefit all three berry groups.

In addition to AbbyRaz Celebration, the federally owned blueberry variety BCB001AAC is set for release next year.

Dossett describes the new blueberry as a consistent and reliable bearer in trial plots, yielding 20.8 tons an acre last year.

“It averaged about 50% higher in yields than Duke and about 25% higher than Calypso,” he says.

Berry size and firmness are an improvement over Duke and it has a pleasant flavour. Preliminary evidence suggests a measure of resistance to scorch.

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