Evaluation of cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus L.) clones for selection of high-quality varieties

Two female and two male cultivars of cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus L.) have previously been released as a result of clone evaluation at the Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research. Selection criteria have been number of pistils or stamens per flower, number of flowers and number of shoots per m ². Recently two groups of clones have been evaluated with the aim of finding new cultivars for release. The clones were collected at different locations in Norway, as well as in England and at Svalbard. Results from harvesting in 2005 to 2008 show large genetic variation in all evaluated traits and indicate good production potential for some of the tested clones. Previously released 'Fjellgull' and 'Fjordgull' are confirmed as stable and high producing. Of the clones evaluated for the first time, especially clone 102 and clone 306 are possible contenders for release. In addition to prior selection criteria based on berry yield, berry contents also have been analysed. The results indicate that clones with a northern origin have higher levels of total phenols, total anthocyanins and carotenoids than clones of a southern origin.