Blackberry and raspberry seedlings growth under the soilless cultivation system

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth of micropropagated blueberry and raspberry seedlings under conventional and soilless cultivation systems. Seedlings of two blackberry cultivars (Xavante and Tupy) and two raspberry cultivars (Heritage and Fall Gold) were submitted to two cultivation systems: the conventional system and the soilless system. Under the conventional system, they were kept in polyethylene bags containing H. Decker® substrate and were irrigated with nutritive solution every 15 days. Under the soilless system, they remained in plastic flowerpots containing sand and were irrigated with nutritive solution daily. In regards to shoot length, the Xavante, Tupy, Heritage and Fall Gold cultivars showed the best results under the soilless cultivation system. As for number of lateral shoots, the Xavante, Heritage and Gold Fall showed significant results under the soilless system, unlike the cultivar Tupy, which showed better results under the conventional system. The soilless cultivation system is suitable for the development of the blackberry 'Xavante' and 'Tupy' and the raspberry 'Heritage' and 'Fall Gold' mini-cuttings