Traveler™
(APF 190T cv.)
Registered in the United States as Prime-Ark® Traveler.
Attributes
- Primocane and floricane fruit
- Very good flavor and aromatics
- Consistent black, glossy color
- Low rate of color reversion in harvested berries
- Firm, medium size berry
- Uniformly well-shaped fruit
- Excellent transportability & shelf-life
- Thornless and erect plant
Fruit Characteristics
The University of Arkansas plant breeder, Dr. John Clark, selected the primocane variety APF-190T for its early fruit production, consistent shape, size and the quality of the fruit. Berries of the APF 190T are sweet with a low acid content. Brix ranges from 10 to 12 depending on the temperature during the period of fruit maturation. The variety has distinctive “blackberry” aromatics. The berries are semi-elongated with a bright, glossy black color. Fruit firmness exceeds that of the Osage or Prime-Ark® 45 cultivars. Fruit size averages 6 to 8 g per berry.
The APF 190T variety produces fruit on both primocane and floricane plants. Depending on ambient temperatures, the floricanes initiate flower set in early May with harvest of the first fruit four to six weeks later. Primocane flower set begins in late June with harvest of the first fruit the second week of August. Temperatures above 32°C during flower set may cause pollination problems. Primocanes will maintain successive flowering cycles until the temperatures fall below 5°C.
Floricane plants of the APF 190T yield 11,000 to 25,000 kg per ha. Floricane production reflects the amount of primocane fruit removed from the plants the preceding year. Primocane plantings produce about 45 % of the floricane crop.
Plant Characteristics
The APF 190T variety produces a vigorous, erect and thornless cane that suckers primarily from the crown. Cane production is prolific. Primocanes that emerge the first week of April reach a tipping height of 135 cm in six weeks.
Double tipping of primocanes will likely improve yields. Supporting the canes with wires reduces damage to the canes and fruit loss due to wind or heavy fruit load.
Primocane Management
The APF 190T variety provides a late season alternative to contemporary floricane production in cold, continental climates. Growers adjust the harvest window through timely pruning over the course of the season. Mowing the canes to the ground at the end of the season effectively eliminates winter cold damage common with floricane type varieties under severe winter conditions.
Research suggests that the APF 190T may benefit from horizontal positioning of primocanes. This cultural practice forces the development of inflorescences from otherwise latent flower buds in leaf axils. Preliminary data suggest that this manipulation of the plants increases the yields by 50% compared to standard pruning techniques.
In low chill, subtropical and tropical high elevation environments, the APF 190T offers growers a broad season of highly productive, commercial grade blackberry fruit. The genetics of the APF 190T extend the potential range for commercial production of high quality blackberry fruit.
Disease Resistance
The APF 190T variety shows tolerance to orange rust. It is resistant to anthracnose infection of the fruit or cane.
*Characteristics may vary depending on weather conditions, day length, soil type and location.