Quality of blackberry produced at different times in humid temperate climate

Abstract

The research was conducted in order to evaluate the quality of blackberries produced at different times in humid temperate conditions. The evaluation was carried out in orchard of blackberry (Rubus sp.) cv. Brazos. The determination of the quality of the fruit was performed at different times due to the fact the harvest has begun in June, outside the normal harvest time. In order to compare the quality of harvested fruits, the scheme in split plot was adopted, with the evaluation period from June to December. In June and July the fruits were larger sizes. In the months with the highest incidence of sunlight and lower rainfall contributed to the production of better quality fruit. The levels of anthocyanins were higher in September, time that sunlight in place of cultivation began to increase. Blackberries harvested outside the normal harvest season had better quality. The quality of blackberries was best when harvested in the dry season, with low rainfall and high solar radiation.