Articles
Evaluation of winter hardiness of raspberry cultivars (Rubus idaeus L.) in Estonia
Article number
1444_20
Pages
143 – 148
Language
English
Abstract
Winter hardiness is one of the primary characteristics of fruit and berry crop cultivars grown in Northern Europe.
This biological property is of important economic significance, as it dictates the feasibility and potential for cultivars in alignment with the specific agroclimatic conditions of the region.
This study describes the evaluation of winter damage to raspberry cultivars conducted at the Polli Horticultural Research Centre in Estonia from 2019 to 2022, as well as the analysis of winter hardness based on this evaluation.
Raspberry plants, particularly their above-ground parts, are highly sensitive to low winter temperatures.
The many cultivars are also significantly damaged by cycles of cold winter periods alternating with thawing periods.
The increase in winter temperature fluctuations over the last decade, the lengthening of thawing periods, and the impact of unstable snow cover on the reduction of winter hardiness in raspberry cultivars in Estonia make it crucial to breed resistant cultivars to mitigate the effects of climate change.
This research examines the winter hardiness of raspberry cultivars from diverse geographical backgrounds, aiming to identify those that are more resistant to winter temperature stress factors in Estonia.
The K-Means Clustering Method was used to identify three clusters of cultivars based on their levels of winter hardiness: high, medium, and low.
Our research, based on winter damage data collected during four years of field trials with raspberry cultivars, shows a possible division of the studied raspberry cultivars into clear winter hardiness clusters.
The findings highlight cultivars with maximum winter resistance, which are a valuable resource in breeding activities.
The assessment of winter hardiness in raspberry cultivars and screening using the K-Means Clustering Method paves the way for future research focused on enhancing the resistance of horticultural crops to environmental influences.
This biological property is of important economic significance, as it dictates the feasibility and potential for cultivars in alignment with the specific agroclimatic conditions of the region.
This study describes the evaluation of winter damage to raspberry cultivars conducted at the Polli Horticultural Research Centre in Estonia from 2019 to 2022, as well as the analysis of winter hardness based on this evaluation.
Raspberry plants, particularly their above-ground parts, are highly sensitive to low winter temperatures.
The many cultivars are also significantly damaged by cycles of cold winter periods alternating with thawing periods.
The increase in winter temperature fluctuations over the last decade, the lengthening of thawing periods, and the impact of unstable snow cover on the reduction of winter hardiness in raspberry cultivars in Estonia make it crucial to breed resistant cultivars to mitigate the effects of climate change.
This research examines the winter hardiness of raspberry cultivars from diverse geographical backgrounds, aiming to identify those that are more resistant to winter temperature stress factors in Estonia.
The K-Means Clustering Method was used to identify three clusters of cultivars based on their levels of winter hardiness: high, medium, and low.
Our research, based on winter damage data collected during four years of field trials with raspberry cultivars, shows a possible division of the studied raspberry cultivars into clear winter hardiness clusters.
The findings highlight cultivars with maximum winter resistance, which are a valuable resource in breeding activities.
The assessment of winter hardiness in raspberry cultivars and screening using the K-Means Clustering Method paves the way for future research focused on enhancing the resistance of horticultural crops to environmental influences.
Authors
N. Klakotskaya, P. Laurson, A.-V. Libek, A. Kikas
Keywords
climate change, K-Means clustering method, cultivars, biodiversity
Groups involved
- Division Vine and Berry Fruits
- Division Plant-Environment Interactions in Field Systems
- Division Horticulture for Human Health
- Working Group Vaccinium Species and Management
- Working Group Rubus and Ribes Species and Management
- Working Group Kiwifruit Culture and Management
- Working Group Strawberry Culture and Management
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