Raspberry variety performance in southern Michigan

Seven primocane-fruiting and 15 floricane-fruiting raspberry varieties (Rubus idaeus) were compared for three fruiting seasons on a loamy sand soil in southwest Michigan. The earliest primocane-fruiting varieties ('Autumn Bliss', 'Autumn Britten', 'Polana') began ripening 3 weeks before the standard variety, 'Heritage'. 'Autumn Bliss' was the most productive early primocane-fruiting variety. 'Caroline' and 'Dinkum' ripened about 1 week earlier than 'Heritage', and 'Ruby' was 2 days later. 'Caroline' was the most productive of this group and also had large fruit that were somewhat resistant to rot caused by Botrytis cinerea. 'Caroline' also received the greatest leaf feeding from rosechafer beetles (Macrodactylus subspinosus). Most primocane-fruiting varieties were fairly resistant to leaf spot (Sphaerulina rubi), while 'Dinkum' was highly susceptible to spur blight (Didymella applanata). Floricane-fruiting varieties were evaluated based on fruit production and quality as well as winter injury to canes, disease resistance, and feeding injury from two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticue). The floricane-fruiting varieties showing minimal winter injury were 'Boyne', 'Killarney', 'Latham', 'Nova', and 'Prelude'. 'Canby', 'Encore', 'Glen Ample,', 'Qualicum', 'Reveille', 'Titan', and 'K 81-6' were moderately hardy; while 'Tulameen', 'Malahat', and 'Lauren' were not hardy enough for this location. 'Reveille', 'Killarney', 'Boyne', and 'Prelude' were the most productive floricane-fruiting varieties. 'Nova' and 'Qualicum' had low levels of botrytis rot. 'Nova' was most resistant to leaf spot and also had resistance to spur blight. Injury from mites was greatest on 'Glen Ample' and lowest on 'Malahat', 'Prelude', 'Qualicum', and 'Tulameen'. 'Caroline' (primocane-fruiting), 'Prelude', and 'Nova' (floricane-fruiting) were promising newer varieties.