Global Prod. & History
Which four countries account for over 70% of global raspberry output?
Russia, Serbia, Poland, and the United States.
Define a “primocane.”
A first-year cane that can flower and fruit in the same growing season.
What makes raspberry breeding genetically complex?
High heterozygosity, polyploidy, and limited cross-compatibility between species.
Name one major soilborne pathogen of raspberries.
Phytophthora rubi (root rot).
Why is raspberry shelf life short?
High respiration rate and soft texture accelerate decay.
When and where were raspberries first domesticated?
In Eurasia about 2,000 years ago, cultivated during the Roman era
Contrast primocane and floricane fruiting habits.
Primocanes fruit in year one; floricanes fruit in year two after overwintering.
What are key goals of modern raspberry breeding programs?
Fruit firmness, shelf life, pest/disease resistance, and climate resilience.
And yield of course.
What insect pest is known for ovipositing in ripening fruit?
Drosophila suzukii (Spotted Wing Drosophila).
Describe the role of cold chain logistics.
Maintains 0–2°C and 90–95% RH to slow respiration and spoilage.
What two subspecies form the basis of cultivated raspberries?
Rubus idaeus subsp. idaeus (Europe/Asia) and subsp. strigosus (North America).
What is the optimal temperature range for raspberry growth?
Between 18–25°C for ideal vegetative and fruit growth.
How do marker-assisted and genomic selection accelerate improvement?
identify genetic markers linked to traits, reducing multi-year trial needs.
Describe the lifecycle of Byturus tomentosus- Raspberry Beetle- and its symptoms.
Adults feed on flowers; larvae bore into fruit causing deformation and frass.
What processing method dominates the Eastern European market?
Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) berries.
Describe how medieval Europe contributed to raspberry domestication.
Monastic gardens conserved and bred raspberries for larger fruit and improved flavor.
How does photoperiod influence primocane productivity?
Long-day conditions promote flowering; shorter days delay or suppress fruiting.
Describe how European vs. North American raspberry breeding programs differ in their selection goals and cultivar outcomes.
European programs focus on firmness, shelf life, and machine harvest for export; North American programs emphasize primocane fruiting, cold hardiness, and adaptability to variable climates. These regional focuses shape cultivar performance and market fit.
How can canopy management reduce fungal disease pressure?
Improves airflow and reduces humidity favorable to pathogens.
What packaging innovation extends raspberry shelf life?
Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and clamshells.
Explain how global trade patterns influence raspberry cultivar preferences.
Fresh markets prioritize firmness and size; processing markets value yield and anthocyanin content.
Discuss adaptation strategies for heat stress and frost under climate change.
Use low-chill cultivars, high tunnels, irrigation scheduling, and shading systems.
Discuss limitations of interspecific hybridization in Rubus idaeus.
Poor cross-compatibility and fertility issues restrict useful hybridization.
Explain integrated approaches for managing both aphids and mites.
Combine biological controls (predators), selective insecticides, and monitoring.
Explain the physiological basis of raspberry softening and how postharvest treatments can slow it.
Softening results from enzymatic breakdown of pectin and cell-wall polysaccharides. Rapid cooling, humidity control, calcium dips, and controlled atmospheres inhibit these enzymes, preserving firmness and extending marketability.