Identifying alternative management practices to promote blackberry lateral branch development

Inadequate lateral branch development can reduce blackberry productivity and profitability. In the southeastern United States, summer tipping and/or cane bending is conducted to promote lateral branching. These practices are labor intensive and can increase risk of cane blight infection (Leptosphaeria coniothyrium). We conducted a series of experiments to identify alternative management practices to stimulate lateral branching of blackberry. Multiple plant growth regulators (6-benzyladenine, GA₃, GA₄₊₇, and prohexadione calcium) and cultural practices (cane bending, cane number, and tipping) were evaluated; however, reliable induction of lateral branches was not observed. Use of reflective groundcovers increased lateral branching and total linear bearing surface by ~40%. The effect of canopy light environment on lateral branching merits further investigation.