"The raspberry of the future is here. It is bright red when ripe and the result of new varieties that can withstand parasite attacks and climate change. These varieties can also tolerate high temperatures in polytunnels and produce high yields." According to a company note from Sant'Orsola, this variety was developed after 12 years of research and experimentation.
© Cristiano Riciputi | HortiDaily.com
On 10 July, nurserymen and growers from around the world gathered at Sant'Orsola's Pergine Cirè site for an Open Day dedicated to showcasing new varieties. Participants had the opportunity to explore and sample plants and fruits. The participants came from various regions, including Trentino and South Tyrol in Italy, as well as the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, New Zealand, Chile, Mexico, and Morocco. This diverse group had the unique opportunity to witness the distinctive features of the new plants firsthand. The vivid hue of their raspberries attests to their pristine quality, aligning with the market's high standards.
During the morning, participants visited the fields of cooperative members where the new plants were cultivated. The fields were located in Fierozzo San Felice in the Mocheni Valley (at an altitude of 1,200 meters), Campiello di Levico, and Scurelle in Valsugana (at an altitude of around 400 meters). Lastly, they visited the cooperative's experimental field in Vigolo Vattaro, where they compared the new varieties with those typically cultivated by Sant'Orsola. This is where the genotypes, or promising varieties, are located. These varieties will be used to cultivate the hundreds of thousands of plants needed to produce raspberries on a large scale. This timeframe is also crucial for the certification protocols.
© Sant'Orsola Soc. Coop. Agr.
Gianluca Savini, head of technical consultancy and research and development, and Paolo Zucchi, the grower in charge of the experimental field, explained the strategies of the genetic improvement programme and the characteristics of the advanced selections obtained among the rows of raspberries. They also discussed the features that differentiate these selections from others.
"These new plants are derived from traditional breeding crosses using the guided pollination method, which was carried out about twelve years ago. Over time, the plants have undergone continuous checks to verify their genetic stability and improvement effectiveness. The new plants have several advantages over the current ones. They are highly productive and resistant to pests and diseases. They adapt well to the environment and the damaging effects of climate change and can withstand high temperatures in polytunnels. Lastly, they allow for harvesting with unprecedented ease, reducing the necessary time by 30 percent compared to conventional methods."
The company note continues: "The new raspberries are high-quality fruit with excellent taste, texture, and consistent size. They also have a long shelf life, which helps reduce food waste. In the afternoon, a panel test took place at the Sant'Orsola premises in Pergine Ciré, where participants tasted samples of the new raspberries and evaluated them. This will help us understand how future customers will respond."
© Sant'Orsola Soc. Coop. Agr.
The Vigolo Vattaro experimental field
The Sant'Orsola cooperative in Vigolo Vattaro boasts an experimental field that has gained international recognition in the fruit and vegetable industry for its exceptional value. Since 2002, the cooperative's research and development work has resulted in the patenting of 14 varieties of raspberry plants. These plants are protected by the UPOV control body in Europe and are sold in some of the world's largest raspberry-growing countries. Sant'Orsola's research has also produced Residuo Zero blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry varieties, as well as methods that reduce water use by 30 percent for each type of cultivation. Innovation and knowledge drive the Sant'Orsola cooperative, which shares innovations discovered in the experimental field with its members.
For more information:
Sant'Orsola Soc. Coop. Agricola
Via dell'Aeroporto, 14
38057 Pergine Valsugana (TN) - Italy
+39 0461 518111
www.santorsola.com