primocane

John R. Clark, University Professor of horticulture, said the contract with Hargreaves Plants arranged the transfer of hybrid seeds developed from U of A primocane-fruiting blackberry breeding lines.

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Clark said yields are very good, especially for the June crop, exceeding those of the previous primocane-fruiting variety Prime-Jim.

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In a related development, Hargreaves Plants, a wholesale nursery in England was licensed as exclusive distributor in Europe for a different primocane-fruiting blackberry developed from the Division of Agriculture fruit breeding program.

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The primocane berries are smaller in Arkansas, though they are substantially larger in more moderate summer climates such as Oregon and California.

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Using unique genetics developed through conventional crossbreeding at the U of A, primocane-fruiting blackberries produce two crops each year for an extended picking season.

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Overall, Prime-Ark® 45 is better adapted to Arkansas than its primocane-fruiting predecessors, Clark said.

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Prime-Ark® 45 is the third primocane-fruiting blackberry from the Division of Agriculture's trademarked Prime-Ark® product line, said John R. Clark, University Professor of horticulture.

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He continues to work on improving adaptation, especially for the primocane berries, including improved summer heat tolerance and thornlessness in newer selections in the program.

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"One of our goals with primocane-fruiting blackberries is to have a nicer berry from Arkansas that can be grown throughout the country, and that can be harvested from late August into mid fall," Clark said.

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