A new “rabbiteye” blueberry variety is entering the market with the aim of overcoming the historical limitations of this type and strengthening its role in the fresh segment. A new “rabbiteye” blueberry variety It is called OBG-Raptor (OBG-16252) and was developed by Oregon Blueberry to deliver high productivity, improved fruit quality, and greater agronomic reliability.
For years, rabbiteye blueberries have been affected by several well-known issues: soft fruit, the presence of seeds perceived as “gritty,” and susceptibility to rain-induced splitting. affected by several well-known issues These problems have limited their adoption in fresh markets.
“These criticisms were fair for older varieties,” explained Jon Horton, director of genetics at Oregon Blueberry, “but they also led to an underestimation of what rabbiteyes do exceptionally well.” underestimation of what rabbiteyes do
With OBG-Raptor, the breeding program aims precisely to close this gap while maintaining the vigor and resilience typical of the species. maintaining the vigor and resilience
Field performance: high yields
The new selection has been tested in Oregon through multi-year trials under commercial conditions. tested in Oregon through multi-year trials Results indicate yields of up to 35 pounds (15.88 kg) per plant on seven-year-old plants, equivalent to approximately 64,200 pounds (29,120 kg) per acre (0.40 hectares), assuming a planting density of about 1,820 plants per acre (0.40 hectares).
Another key aspect is its resistance to rain-induced splitting, observed under Oregon’s pedoclimatic conditions. resistance to rain-induced splitting
From an agronomic perspective, the plant structure has been designed to facilitate canopy management: its growth habit allows for faster pruning operations, fewer cuts, and a potential reduction in labor costs. facilitate canopy management its growth habit
Fruit quality: firmer texture
Improving fruit quality is one of the central goals of OBG-Raptor. Improving fruit quality is one The berries have an average diameter of about 0.7 inches (1.78 cm), with uniform size and good firmness.
Particularly noteworthy is the reduced number of seeds, a trait that helps eliminate the gritty sensation often associated with rabbiteye blueberries. reduced number of seeds a trait
Initial commercial evaluations and taste tests conducted by the company have shown positive feedback in terms of texture, appearance, and overall eating quality. positive feedback in terms of texture
Harvest and post-harvest: efficiency
Harvest takes place on average two weeks after the ‘Titan’ variety, with fruit ripening concentrated within one or two picking windows. fruit ripening concentrated within one This allows for more efficient planning of operations and labor.
The variety is also suitable for mechanical harvesting and has shown good post-harvest performance, making it versatile for both fresh and processing markets. suitable for mechanical harvesting and
Traditionally appreciated for their vigor, tolerance to heat and drought, and lower input requirements compared to highbush varieties, rabbiteyes may now benefit from renewed interest thanks to quality improvements. tolerance to heat and drought
A new perspective for rabbiteye
According to Oregon Blueberry, several growers have already started trial plantings with OBG-Raptor to evaluate its potential across different production areas. started trial plantings with OBG-Raptor
The goal of the breeding program remains to find a balance between perceived consumer quality and agronomic performance: yield, plant efficiency, and economic sustainability. balance between perceived consumer quality
If its promises are confirmed at commercial scale, OBG-Raptor could help redefine the role of rabbiteye blueberries in the global market, offering a solution capable of combining quality with production competitiveness. help redefine the role of rabbiteye
Text and image source: fruitgrowersnews.com
