The needs of raspberry producers and consumers are changing, and Sant'Orsola is responding: after a selection process lasting more than 10 years, three new varieties have been presented, the result of the internal research of the Trentino-based cooperative.
The "Sant'Orsola Raspberry Open Day" was held on July 10, 2025—a full day dedicated to raspberries, attracting participants from around the world. Italian Berry followed the event exclusively for its readers.
At the heart of the Open Day program was the intense work carried out at the breeding station and by the cooperative’s producers: the field visits allowed a detailed look at the three new selections, identified as SU607, SO.LU35.21, and SO.LU38.01.
The tour was conducted by Gianluca Savini, Production Director, and Paolo Zucchi, Sant'Orsola's breeder, who described the key features of the new raspberries.
"The testing and selection process has been completed, and we have ensured the varieties are stable. We are now at the beginning of the commercial phase and expect to have enough plants within 2–3 years to meet a good number of requests," stated Gianluca Savini.
The day concluded with a detailed panel test, during which participants evaluated four samples, rating their external and taste characteristics.
During the event, detailed results and characteristics of the three new varieties were presented based on trials conducted in Northern Italy, Sicily, and Switzerland.
Raspberry SO.LU.12.38.01
The selection SO.LU. 12.38.01 is a floricane genotype. It is slightly earlier than Lagorai Plus (-7 days). Its strong points are good rusticity and very high yield.
The structure of the plant is characterized by short laterals, that grow regularly along the cane, these qualities among small leaves creates a visible an accessible fruit display. These features and very easy fruit detach allow a quick and effortless harvest.
SO.LU. 12.38.01 fruits are medium size and uniform in shape with excellent fruity flavor. The berries are light red in colour that remains stable throughout the shelf-life.
In Northern Italy fruits characteristics allow harvest every second day.
Trials in Northern Italy in 2024 showed a yield of 1448g per plant (compared to 1014g for Lagorai Plus) with transplanting on April 8 and harvesting over about six weeks from June 27 to August 5.
In Sicily, with transplanting on December 9 and harvesting from March 15 to May 12, the yield was 1522g per plant compared to 920g for Lagorai Plus.
In Switzerland, the yield was 1566g per plant with transplanting on April 24 and harvesting from July 8 to August 26.
Raspberry SO.LU.13.35.21
The SO.LU.13.35.21 is a rustic and very productive floricane selection. It is slightly earlier than Lagorai Plus (-7 days) with a high productive potential under mild weather conditions.
The structure of the plant is characterized by short laterals, that grow quite regularly along the cane.
SO.LU. 13.35.21 produce medium red, uniform in shape fruits. The fruit seasonal average weight is 6.2g, although the first fruits can weight up to 11g, improving the fruit picking rate.
Trials in Northern Italy, with transplanting on April 19 and harvesting from July 15 to August 13, showed a yield of 1418g per plant, compared to 1202g for Lagorai Plus.
In Calabria, with transplanting on December 13 and harvesting from April 4 to May 29, the plants produced 1295g compared to 1069g for Lagorai Plus.
In Switzerland (transplanted April 24, harvested July 8 to August 26), the yield was 1675g per plant.
Raspberry SOU607
The selection SOU607 is a very late primocane but is used as a floricane. The cropping season is similar to Lagorai Plus but produces higher yields.
The structure of the plant is characterized by short laterals, that grow regularly along the cane making SOU607 easy and fast to pick.
SOU607 produces medium size fruits with a very uniform shape, that remains throughout the whole season. The berries are very attractive, bright orange-red in colour with excellent shelf life.
Regarding productivity, in Northern Italy the yield was 1240g per plant (Lagorai Plus 870g) with transplanting on March 13, 2024 and harvesting over approximately one month, from June 10 to July 6.
