Twelve seedling populations involving large, intermediate, and small-fruited parental clones of tetraploid blackberries were evaluated for fruit size inheritance. The amount and type of variation and the significant deviations from the mid-parent means in seedling distributions indicated that inheritance was quantitative with partial dominance for small fruit size. Maximum heritability, estimated by the genetic variance/phenotypic variance, was 0.76. Narrowsense heritability, estimated by regressing progeny on the mid-parents, was 0.62, indicating that most of the genetic variability (82%) was transmittable through the sexual cycle (gametes). These results suggest that simple breeding procedures based on inter-mating parent clones selected on the basis of their phenotypic performance are likely to produce significant genetic gains in fruit size of blackberries.

Introductory horticulture courses are taught in almost every 4 year and 2 year horticulture program across the country, however, purpose, content and approach can vary widely among schools. Survey results will show how different schools use their introductory course (recruiting, foundation, service), class composition, topics most commonly included, textbooks used, standard teaching techniques and new or innovative techniques that have been especially effective.

No abstract