Fruit quality attributes of ten Colombian blackberry (Rubus glaucus Benth.) genotypes

Abstract

Colombia requires blackberry genotypes with remarkable traitsthat improve the competitiveness of this product in the country.The objective of this work was to evaluate the characteristicsof the quality attributes in fruits of ten Colombian blackberrygenotypes in order to assess their potential in the berry markets but also as a genetic source to be included in breeding programs. The weight of fruits, the equatorial and longitudinal diameters, volume, firmness, color, juice content, flesh content, seed/fruit weight percentage, soluble solids content, acidity, pH and maturity index were evaluated in fruits collected during three different harvest periods in the province of Cundinamarca. Thirty fruits for every genotype and period were harvested and analyzed. These 10 evaluated genotypes showed important differences that allowed separating them into five different groups; however, genotypes 8, 4 and 6 showed the best results regarding size, color, juice content, total soluble solids content, maturity index, firmness and low acidity. These features make them good candidates for incorporating them into breeding programs. Nonetheless, their soluble solids content was considerably lower than values reported for genotypes Prime Ark, Natchez, Ouachita, and Osage that are recognized for theseremarkable traits.