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Parentage
Nightfall 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. Nightfall was selected by Dr Chad
Finn from a cross between Marion x Waldo, and was tested as ORUS
1486-2.
Fruit Quality
The fruit of Nightfall are usually conical shaped, more uniform than
Marion. Fruit firmness is superior compared to Marion and Silvan.
Nightfall fruit have an excellent flavour, but are very acidic and
probably too tart for the fresh market. Good processed fruit
quality.
Yield and Fruit Size
Nightfall produces comparable or higher yields compared to Marion,
Silvan and Waldo. The fruit are large, being larger than Marion or
Waldo, but not as large as Siskiyou, and averaged 6.2g in trials in
the USA.
Season
The cropping season of Nightfall is almost identical compared to
Marion.
Plant Characteristics
Plants of Nightfall have a trailing habit and cane growth is similar
in vigour to Marion and Silvan. Fruiting laterals are fairly long,
similar to those of Marion and longer than Waldo. The canes are
spine-free, except for the basal 30-40 cm portion of the primocanes.
Disease Resistance
Nightfall 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
Nightfall should be a useful variety for the processed blackberry
industry. The variety is not suited for fresh market due to the
fruit being too tart and of insufficient firmness. Nightfall 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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