Caneberry Breeders in North America Chad E. Finn U.S. Department ofAgriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 3420 N. W OrchardAvenue, Corvallis, OR 97330
The breeding of caneberries (also referred fruiting raspberries. Meader and the scientists One of the reasons he seemed to have success is to as brambles) has taken several directions in at the New York Agricultural Experiment Sta- that in the high ploidy level Rubus germplasm the last century. Red raspberries were of great tion were responsible for bringing primocane he "knew no boundaries as what could be put interest throughout this time. Black raspberries fruiting from anoveltyto commercial cultivars. together" (F.J. Lawrence). According to Law- received much more attention 50 to 75 years ago Craig helped this process and pushed it further rence, while Royce Bringhurst told him that than they do today. Blackberries have gone from with the development of improved cultivars for "it s not possible to make such crosses," he a crop that was largely in the realm of amateur eastern North America. didn t follow the rules on blackberry. Waldo breeders to a crop with several intensive breed- This reminiscence will highlight seven was passionate about flavor and didn t think ing programs. Primocane raspberries, and now breeders who have made outstanding contribu- highly of Darrow s love of very acidic flavors. primocane blackberries, have revolutionized or tion in the last half of the 20th century. Apparently Darrow s love of acidic fruit was will revolutionize their production and market- somewhat extreme, as his brother said to J. ing. Breeders have played a critical role in these GEORGE F. WALDO Moore "George was shortchanged at birth for changes and in developing the caneberries as stomach acid and he s been making up for it major commercial fruit crops. Many caneberry George Waldo (1898-1985) (Fig. 1), while ever since." Waldo also had a great impact in breeders have been instrumental, each in their born in 1898 in Drayton, N.Dak., spent most the raspberries with the release of Willamette , own way, in moving the science and art of of his early years in Dayton, Ore. He earned which may be the most widely grown raspberry caneberry breeding forward. his BS from Oregon State College in 1922 in the world. Willamette s adaptability and Several breeders that have played small but and his MS from Michigan State College in immunity to raspberry bushy dwarf virus have critical roles in caneberry breeding and are more 1924. He went immediately to work for the kept it popular despite having been released 60 commonly remembered for their contribution U.S. Department of Agriculture—Agricultural years ago. Mr. Waldo, as he is still referred to in other fields will be mentioned first. George Research Service (USDA—ARS) in Glenn Dale, by his former technician John Martsching, was M. Darrow (1899-1983), while only dabbling Md., where he was in charge of berry breed- the consummate gentleman and gentle man. He in caneberries, provided the leadership at the ing from 1926-1932. In 1932, he and George was quiet and introverted and yet freely sent national level for others who focused heav- Darrow, who was working as the berry breeder material everywhere. Waldo had a wry sense ily on these fruit. He also is largely credited for the USDA—ARS in Oregon, swapped posi- of humor. His bearded picture in Darrow s The with getting the Merton Thornless source of tions. This seemed to suit them both very well Strawberry (1966) is how many people picture thornlessness into useful blackberry germplasm. as Waldo was a reserved person who really him. However, throughout his life he was only James H. Logan (1841-1928), a California didn t seem to have the personality to lead a far bearded for one year when, in celebration of judge and hobbyist breeder, recognized the flung group of scientists in a national breeding Oregon s centennial, all men over the age of value of Logan and made it available to the effort. While Waldo developed a very success- 25 were ordered to grow a beard or be fined. public at no cost, which was unusual for the ful strawberry program, he made his greatest While Darrow s book came out about 10 years time, thereby helping establish the northwestern mark in caneberries. When he returned to the after the centennial, it is still the picture Waldo U.S. processing industry. Byrnes M. Young Northwest from Maryland, the industry was chose to submit. Apparently, several people (1858-1964), of Morgan City, La., originated primarily reliant on eastern raspberries, Logan , reviewing the book thought that someone had the Young dewberry (Youngberry), through and hermaphroditic selections ofthewildRubus mixed up the names and photos because those which many red raspberry genes were brought ursinus. By and large he is responsible for the who knew Waldo did not recognize him with a into the blackberry germplasm pool. H. Ness, development of the trailing blackberry germ- beard. He was devoutly religious, even refusing Sidney H. Yarnell (1898-1981), and H.F. Mor- plasm that the industry worldwide is dependent to eat at restaurants that served beer, much to ris, from Texas, developed cultivars such as on and his Marion blackberry (marionberry) the chagrin of the then-starving Lawrence as Nessberry (a parent of the still popular Bra- is the most widely grown cultivar in the world. they drove past restaurant after restaurant in this zos ), which combined the trailing blackberry prefast food era. He spent much ofhis retirement R. trivialis with red raspberry, that are adapted serving the Gideon s ministry. to warm climates with low chilling. Earl V. Goldsmith( 1892-1954) and Stephen Whilhelm (1919-2002), with Sweetbriar Co. and Driscoll GEORGE L. SLATE Strawberry Associates in Watsonville, Calif., George Slate (1899-1976) (Fig. 2) was born are largely responsible for originally assem- in 1899 in Barnardston, Massachusetts and grew bling the germplasm that has led to the most up on a dairy farm. He earned his BS from successful private raspberry breeding program the University of Massachusetts in 1921 and in the world. Their vision for the type of plant an MA from Harvard University in 1926. He needed for commercial production in California began his long career with the New York State and for the type of fruit quality that was neces- Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva in sary for long distance shipping combined with 1922 where he was responsible for small fruit their ability to incorporate germplasm from the breeding. He assisted in the preparation of The U.K., Canada, and Sweden into the material Small Fruits of New York, which is still an they had available has led to the success of this incredibly valuable (and beautiful) resource. program. Elwyn M. Meader (1910-1996) from Slate typified the classic curious horticulturist the University of New Hampshire and Donald who reveled in diversity. While I am sure he L. Craig (born in 1923) with Agriculture and was born with an interest in diversity, it is also Agri-Foods Canada, Nova Scotia, played crucial notable that he married the daughter of Ernest roles in the development ofimproved primocane Wilson (from Harvard University s Arnold Arboretum), who is one of the greats of the Research geneticist; e-mail [email protected] golden age of British and American plant col- state.edu. Fig. I George Vvaldo lecting. So, while he released red, black, and
22 HORTSCIENCE VOL. 41 (1) FEBRUARY 2006 breeding emphasized developing raspberries an incredibly cooperative group of breeding that were suitable for processing and that were programs in the Pacific Northwest. Lawrence is resistant to aphids and therefore the viruses 5 ft tall, which only deserves mention because II they vectored. While his commercial straw- he had fun with his height. First, he claimed his berry cultivars were important for their time, height saved him from being killed by shrapnel especially Northwest , which accounted for in a bombing attack in World War II and later 75% of Pacific Northwest production in the late his good friendship with P. Breen at Oregon 1960s (P. Moore, personal communication), and State University, who is very tall, created a while Rainier is still widely grown today, it lifetime of banter. While never called Whitey was his release of Meeker red raspberry that at home, he picked up this nickname while at had profound impact on raspberry growing as the University of Maryland, apparently because it is one of the most widely grown cultivars in he had a thick head of blonde hair. Lawrence is Fig. 2. George Darrov (left) and George Slate the world. Schwartze really liked raspberries an athlete and has kept active jogging, golfing, (right). and despite excellent work on strawberries and biking, and playing squash and badminton well blueberries, raspberries were his passion. While into his retirement. purple raspberry, blackberry, and strawberry he was known as being somewhat reserved and cultivars, he also has a daylily and yew (Taxus conservative, he was also considered outgoing JOHN (JACK) W. HULL sp.) named after him, was involved with nuts, and funny. He and Waldo with the USDA—ARS and can be found repeatedly as a contributor in Corvallis while cordial and generally coop- Jack Hull (1927-1976) (Fig. 5) was born to our knowledge of the minor fruit, such as erative had a lifelong competitiveness that led in 1927 in Oklahoma City, Okla. He earned pawpaw (Asi,nina sp.). His caneberry releases each to claim that the other "never sent their his BS from Oklahoma A & M (1950) and his have had a dramatic commercial impact. His best plant material to me." MS (1955) and PhD (1958) at the University foresight in taking the character of primocane of Maryland. His PhD thesis on blackberry fruiting in raspberry and along with F.M. Meader FRANCIS J. (WHITEY) LAWRENCE chromosomes was considered by many to be (New Hampshire) developing elite germplasm a classic piece of work for the time. While his that led to the release of Heritage was novel. Whitey Lawrence (Fig. 4) was born in 1925 first professional position was as an Assistant His Darrow blackberry is still the cold hardy in Towson Md. After serving in the U.S. Navy Professor at the University of Arkansas, it standard. However, he sold blackberries short from 1942-1945, he earned his BS (1951), was the position he began in 1963 with the when he told an audience that "there is no MS (1958), and PhD (1965) at the University USDA—ARS in Carbondale, Ill., where he had future in blackberry breeding because there is of Maryland while working as an instructor the greatest impact. In the 10 years, from the not enough variability." Several scientists feel and with I.C. Haut and F. Stark on everything time he went to Carbondale until the station was that he was operating in a very narrow gene from camellias to sweet potatoes along with closed in 1973 he developed some of the most pool and therefore did not see the variability berry crops. In 1965, he accepted the caneberry important semi-erect blackberry germplasm that others like those in Arkansas, Illinois, and and strawberry breeding position with the and cultivars. Dirksen Thornless and Black Oregon were able to exploit. Personally, Slate USDA—ARS in Corvallis, Ore. Several of his Satin were his first releases. Hull Thornless was highly respected, modest, and very nice. He strawberry, raspberry and blackberry cultivars and Chester Thomless , while released by and Darrow were competitive with each other had tremendous commercial impact. He had a USDA—ARS Beltsville, were his selections that but still friends. When Darrow was announcing particular interest in germplasm enhancement had been tested at Beltsville after the Carbondale the release of Smoothstem blackberry, Slate particularly disease resistance in all crops. Law- stations closed. Between his PhD and 4 years in asked "George, don t you think they have aw- rence also placed a high value on flavor and this Arkansas, he must have developed a great feel for fully big seeds?" Darrow s responded without is evidenced by the success of Amity raspberry the germplasm that should be gathered and put missing a beat "That s the way I like them. That which is neither large fruited nor extremely to use as those who succeeded him at Arkansas way they don t get under my plate." high yielding, but is widely grown because it and who knew the Carbondale station said that is the best tasting primocane fruiting raspberry. he did not take much plant material with him CHESTER D. (CHET) SCHWARTZE While in his career he only released one thorn- from Arkansas nor did he have much in place less blackberry ( Waldo ), the extremely high in Carbondale. Hull was described as being a Chester Schwartze (1902-1988) (Fig. 3) quality thornless germplasm he created out ofthe gentle person whose life s ambition was to work was born in 1902 in Yakima, Wash., to parents Austin Thorniess background is in the process with people and plants as individuals and not as who ran a fruit orchard. He earned his BS in of returning dividends as several high quality, crowds. Hull threw himself with intensity and horticulture in 1924 and his PhD in 1935 from thornless cultivars for processing are now being enthusiasm into his work with great success. In Washington State University. He took on the released. Lawrence is a kind, soft spoken, but not reading and listening to descriptions about Jack responsibilities for the strawberry and rasp- shy, man who has willingly shared germplasm or Wint as he was known by his family, he was berry breeding program in 1932. His canebeny with many cooperators and helped create, with AgCanada and Washington State University,
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Lawrence. Fig. 5. Jack Hull. 1g. 3. C hester Schwartze. Fig. 4. Francis Ai 23 HORTSCIENCE VOL. 41(l) FEBRUARY 2006 variously described as eccentric, troubled, and Horticultural Science (ISHS) International program has become one of the most highly unusual. No one could come up with the perfect Rubus and Ribes Symposia. Similarly, he and regarded programs in the world and really did descriptor but it boiled down to him being driven, Lawrence in Oregon and Schwartze and B. not exist when he arrived in 1964. By the 1970s, a bit eccentric, and prone to do things that were Barritt in Washington developed a true, fully reliable commercial cultivars were released, a bit unusual. His brother recalls phone conver- cooperative effort that continues today with by the late 1980s he had developed thornless sations in the middle of the night where Jack their successors. Daubeny is in many ways the cultivars, and, with John Clark, he laid the could not contain his excitement at witnessing classic, stereotypic professor. He is not only groundwork for the development ofprimocane crossing-over in Rubus chromosomes. Others extremely interested in what everyone is doing fruiting cultivars that are in the release process. spoke of this same penchant for calling in the and very inquisitive but also has a good dose of He was an innovator when it came to patent- middle of the night to discuss achievements or the absent-minded-professor syndrome which ing. In the 1970s, his program was financially challenges. Several colleagues throughout his has charmed his colleagues for years. Some of hurting so he sent donation solicitations out career spoke of his willingness to throw himself his younger, less respectful colleagues, have to everyone who might be impacted by the into his work at the expense of his health and, retold the story many times of the wonderful program. After receiving one donation of $25 unfortunately, he died young from cancer at ASHS presentation he gave while talking into from a grower and later a note from Stark s only 49 years old. the pointer and pointing with the microphone. Nursery thanking him for Cardinal strawberry, His biggest problem early in his career atAgassiz which "made us $250,000", he decided to begin HUGH A. DAUBENY were the "damn bears" in his plots. Daubeny patenting. Despite his commanding presence, has always been a champion of germplasm his graciousness, enthusiasm, genuine interest Hugh Duabeny (Fig. 6) was born in 1931 exchange, whether that meant obtaining wild in what someone was doing, and positive nature in Nanaimo, British Columbia. He earned his material or exchanging with colleagues and he have always drawn people to him whether for BSA in 1953 from the University of British has decried the decrease in exchange that has advice or a cold beer after a long day. Away Columbia and his PhD from Cornell in 1958. come with the widespread patenting ofcultivars. from his work he was passionate about soft- While offered breeding positions in the eastern He is still actively championing gerrnplasm and ball, pitching for and running the intramural U.S., he returned to his beloved BritishColumbia growing plants as he volunteers with the Uni- team for years. While he no longer is playing fora strawberry and raspberry breeding position versity of British Columbia Botanical Garden softball, he continues his longstanding passion with Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada in in Vancouver. for gardening where he is particularly serious Agassiz, British Columbia. He was successful in about his tomatoes. developing commercially successful strawberry JAMES N. MOORE Each of these scientists made major con- and red raspberry cultivars and had longstanding tributions in caneberry breeding. While they interest and success in gerniplasm acquisition Jim (Fig. 7)wasbornin 1931 inVilonia,Ark. each had very distinct personalities they had and incorporation. On the international scene, He earned his BSA in 1956 and MS in 1957 at a few things in common. They were generally his fresh-market raspberries, particularly Tula- the University of Arkansas and his PhD with considered to be kind and friendly men, which meen , are very widely grown and the standards Fred Hough at Rutgers University in 1961. His no doubt facilitatedgermplasm exchange. They by which others are measured for fruit quality, graduate program gave him two unexpected were passionate about the crops they worked particularly flavor. Daubeny is an extremely rewards. First, after loading up his belongings with; they were not the types to be interested in outgoing and gregarious person who used his and wife to head to Rutgers, Hough told him model crops that you could not eat. They loved friendships and interest in germplasm to bring to- to stop by Purdue University to visit a "fine fruit and the variability that they could observe gether the best germplasm from many breeding young professor," Jules Janick, who had recently in their fields. While breeding small fruit crops programs. His well documented use of the East received a PhD from Purdue, thus beginning a is a historically recent event, it is truly amazing Mailing and Scottish Crop Research Institutes lifelong friendship and successful collaboration. what these scientists did with the development germplasm as parents with his own material led Second, when he arrived at Rutgers, Hough im- of blackberry and primocane fruiting raspberry to the development of a group of cultivars that mediately left on a year-long sabbatical, leaving cultivars that have been the cornerstones for are commercially important, widely adapted, Moore and a non-English speaking, visiting the development of commercially successful and that have large, high quality fruit. His ability scientist in charge of the strawberry breeding industries. to bring people together has been instrumental program. With hand signals and good eyes these in the success of the International Society for two selected Raritan . This experience trained him well to get his later program at Arkansas up and going quickly and gave him more confidence. His first position after graduation was Darrow s position with the USDA—ARS in Beltsville from 1961-1964. He was sent by Darrow or went with Darrow to visit far-flung test sites. He once had to sweet-talk the wife of a shotgun-toting New England farmer who really did not want to let them on his farm; she convinced her husband that he should let $ Moore get the USDA s plants. He jumped at I the opportunity to return to Arkansas in 1964 where he remained for his career. Moore had a 21 breadth ofinterest with active breeding programs in grapes, peach, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries. Moore was a passionate breeder who had the ability to envision where a program needed to be in the future and then put together the people, funding, and ability to achieve his I goals. This was not only to accomplish his goals but to also make sure a strong program was in place for his successors. He had the ability to invigorate the staff and the bosses and, as such, 6q AL was one of the most respected faculty members Fig. 6. Hugh Dauheny. at the University of Arkansas. The blackberry J un \lr.
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