Directions in raspberry and blackberry breeding program conducted in NIWA Berry Breeding Ltd., Brzezna, Poland

The first Polish private raspberry and blackberry breeding program has been conducted in the NIWA Berry Breeding Ltd. Brzezna, Poland since 2012. There are more than 250 crosses made within Rubus species every year. The raspberry breeding program is devoted to floricane (37% of crosses) and primocane (63% of crosses) fruiting types within R. idaeus L., R. neglectus Peck and R. occidentalis L. The primary objectives are: high quality fruit, good yields, suitability for fresh and processing market, machine harvesting ability, adaptation to Polish environment as well as improved pest and disease resistance. Another breeding goal is to improve the content of “nutraceutical” compounds such as anthocyanins, phenolics, ellagic acid, ascorbic acid, soluble solids (°Brix) and titratable acidity within selected plants. To improve efficiency of the Rubus breeding program, the NIWA's strategy is supported by molecular genetic tools. We are looking for markers linked to the Raspberry bushy dwarf virus (RBDV) resistance locus in order to facilitate selection (MAS) of valuable clones. We also use molecular markers to assess genetic variability and to analyze relationships between cultivars since pedigree information is often missing.