New cultivars for quality production of primocane fruiting raspberries enriched in healthy compounds

Raspberry production is in evolution due to increasing consumer interest in the health benefits of antioxidant molecules (AOM) in the fruits. The objective was to define primocane fruiting raspberry cultivars with higher quality in terms of bioactive compounds and to conceive innovative cultural practices such as substrate production systems adapted to specific cultivars. The comparison of agronomic parameters and the fruit quality of 11 cultivars ('Amira', 'Autumn Bliss', 'Brillance', 'Joan J', 'Erika', 'Heritage', 'HimboTop', 'Imara', 'Kweli', 'Polka', 'Sugana') in 2012 and 7 cultivars ('Brillance', 'Chambord', 'Deauville', 'Imara', 'Kwanza', 'Kweli', 'Paris', 'Versaille') in 2013 and 2014 showed a very high variation in bioactive compounds (vitamin C, total phenolics, anthocyanins, ellagitannins) and antioxidant capacities (FRAP, ORAC). Overall, the variation in antioxidant capacities of the fruits among cultivars was related to their bioactive compound content. Cultivars rich in the major phytochemicals showed higher antioxidant activities. Interesting cultivars concerning AOM in fruits were defined and discussed to be used in breeding programs. Furthermore, the results of the cultivar trials in 2013/14 were used to optimise substrate production of primocane fruiting cultivars in the climates of central Europe. For early fruiting cultivars such as 'Kweli', 'Paris' and 'Rubifall' the production system on substrate with plantations in May 2013 followed by 3 consecutive harvests (autumn 2013, summer 2014, autumn 2014) was well adapted and gave high yields with up to 6.9 kg fruits m-2 over two years. However, for late fruiting cultivars such as 'Chambord' and 'Deauville', the production system with plantations in May 2013 followed by only 2 consecutive harvests (a small one in autumn 2013 and a large one in early summer 2014) can be recommended for high profitability.