VARIATION AMONG BRITISH COLUMBIA AND NORTHERN ALBERTA POPULATIONS OF RASPBERRIES, RUBUS IDAEUS SUBSPP. STRIGOSUS MICHX.
Several population samples of Rubus idaeus subspp. strigosus Michx. (raspberries) were collected in British Columbia and northern Alberta and a number of characters were studied and compared with the cultivar Trent. Significant differences between populations were found for cane length, number of buds per cane, percentage of buds growing, number of inflorescences and flowers per bud, fruit and seed weight. There was a positive correlation between the total seed weight and the number of seeds, and between the total seed and fruit weight. No distinct types could be established based on location or elevation. None of the populations showed significantly better winter hardiness than the cultivar Trent, and although some had a specific character that was superior, none was found to have overall superiority.