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Parentage
Black Diamond originates from the US Department
of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) breeding
programme in Corvallis, Oregon, and has been released in cooperation
with the Oregon State University Agricultural Experiment Station and
the Washington State University. Black Diamond was selected by Dr
Chad Finn from a cross between Kotata x NZ8610L-163 made in 1991 by
H. Hall of HortResearch in New Zealand, and was tested as NZ9128R-1.
Fruit Quality
The fruit of Black Diamond are attractive,
uniform conical shaped and similar in colour to Marion, being more
black than Silvan. Fruit are firmer than Marion or Silvan, being
comparable to Chester Thornless or Kotata. The flavour is good,
though not as intense or aromatic compared to Marion. Good processed
fruit quality.
Yield and Fruit Size
Black Diamond is high-yielding, producing
similar or higher yields compared to Marion, Silvan and Waldo. The
fruit are medium sized, being consistently larger than Marion, but
smaller than Siskiyou and averaged 5.8g in trials in the USA.
Season
The harvest season of Black Diamond begins 4-5
days before and peaks about 2 days before Marion.
Plant Characteristics
Plants of Black Diamond have a trailing habit,
with canes of moderate vigour, being less vigorous than Marion or
Silvan. The canes are spine-free, except for the basal 30-40 cm
portion of the primocanes. The fruiting laterals are of moderate
length and tend to be stiffer than Kotata and Marion. Fruit are well
displayed and easy to pick.
Disease Resistance
Black Diamond has been free of serious cane,
leaf of fruit diseases in the USA. The variety has not shown to be
particularly susceptible to Septoria leaf spot, purple blotch, cane
and leaf rust.
Use of the Variety
Black Diamond produces fruit which have good
processed fruit quality and is excellently adapted to machine
harvesting, and will be a popular variety for the commercial
processed blackberry industry. The variety will also be suitable for
local fresh market sales and the amateur market. Black Diamond is
expected to perform well in countries where trailing blackberries
grow successfully, including Chile, New Zealand, UK, and the
Mediterranean region.
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