Yield and berry quality of red raspberry as affected by cultivar and fertilisation regimes

Abstract The work presents the results obtained by examining the effects of cultivar and fertilisation with organic, mineral and foliar fertilisers and ground limestone on the number of fruiting laterals per floricane, their length, yielding and main berry quality attributes of ‘Willamette’ and ‘Meeker’ red raspberries in western Serbia. Impact of cultivar on the length of the fruiting laterals, yield per hectare, berry width, its shape index, soluble solids content, acidity and ripening index was significant. On the basis these results, ‘Meeker’ generally had better values than ‘Willamette’. The significant impact of fertilisers was manifested in the number and length of fruiting laterals per floricane, yield per floricane and per meter of trellis, berry weight and its dimensions whereas impact on berry shape, soluble solids, acidity and ripening index was not significant. In general, the best values of the tested properties were obtained by the combined application of organic, mineral and foliar fertilisers supported by ground limestone. However, the interaction cultivar × fertiliser has been significant for fruiting laterals properties, yield and physical berry attributes, showing the inconsistent reaction of cultivars to applied fertilisers.