Cane Stabilization Improves Yield of Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.)

Treatments of either staked (stabilized) or not staked (control, freestanding) canes were applied to Rubus idaeus L. `Boyne' and `Regency' during the 1997 and 1998 seasons to determine the effect of stabilizing fruiting canes in a windy environment. Treatments were applied in late April of each year, and canes were removed following harvest for growth analysis. Stabilizing (staking) floricanes increased yield per cane in `Boyne' by 68% and in `Regency' by 189%, primarily through increases in fruit number per cane. Leaf area of the staked canes was 41% larger for `Boyne' and 159% for `Regency' than that of the control canes, suggesting that more leaf area was retained for photosynthesis, resulting in greater yield. Primocane diameter in `Boyne' and primocane height in `Regency' were also increased by staking, but floricane structure was unaffected.