The profitability of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) production systems is intimately linked to fruit size and picking speed. Although breeding programs have increased the genetic potential of modern raspberry cultivars, fruit size and yield are still highly influenced by environmental conditions and cultural practices. Here, we present preliminary data generated in 2016 to study how the number of fruiting laterals affects yield, fruit size and picking speed in floricane-type raspberry production. Long canes of the raspberry cultivar ‘Tulameen’ were grown in 10-L containers on substrate (2 plants per container) under plastic greenhouse. In spring, 50% of fruiting laterals were removed when their length reached ~15 cm to be able to discriminate between vegetative and fruiting laterals. This preliminary study indicates that reducing the number of fruiting laterals increases fruit size. Therefore, fruiting lateral thinning has the potential to positively impact picking speed, which increases proportionally with fruit size. Because it appears that yields were not significantly different between the treatments, the control of fruiting lateral number might positively affect the profitability of floricane-type raspberry production systems. This study is the first step to define precise guidelines to maximize profitability of long-cane raspberry production systems by the control of fruiting lateral number.
