Narrative
CHINOOK ripens its primocane crop 7-12 days before 'Heritage' the most widely grown primocane-fruiting cultivar in the world. CHINOOK has had very high yields (20356 kg/ha); similar to 'Heritage' (20352 kg/ha). The fruit are more round than conic, extremely firm, and dry, with an attractive red color similar to 'Heritage'; The fruit are much larger than 'Heritage' (3.1-3.7 g vs 2.3-2.5 g). The fruit pick easily from the plant when ripe, however, commercial growers must train pickers carefully on the appropriate stage for picking as red, but underripe, fruit can be difficult to pick. Fruit flavor has been rated as similar to or slightly better than 'Heritage' and is similar to 'Summit'. CHINOOK can be shipped long distances, much better than 'Autumn Bliss', in part because of its fruit firmness and skin toughness. CHINOOK has been successfully air-freighted from the Pacific Northwest to the East Coast of the U.S. by commercial producers. While CHINOOK will mostly be grown for its fresh crop, it processes well as an individually quick frozen (IQF) product. CHINOOK plants are vigorous but shorter (1.55 m, ~38 nodes) than Heritage (1.64 m, ~43 nodes). The canes are slightly smaller in diameter than 'Heritage' and they are not as sturdy. The combination of heavy fruit load and less sturdy canes produces a plant that must be supported. CHINOOK produces more canes than does 'Heritage'. While CHINOOK has on average 5 node shorter canes than 'Heritage', the average number of fruiting nodes is only 1.4 less than 'Heritage' (16.4 vs 17.8). The spines on CHINOOK canes are infrequent with 2-3 purple spines per internode compared to 8-10 for 'Heritage'. CHINOOK is expected to be susceptible to the common strain of raspberry bushy dwarf virus (RBDV), however, CHINOOK has shown no particular susceptibility to fungal diseases. Very little botrytis fruit rot (Botrytis cinerea) has been seen on CHINOOK, although it ripens in the Pacific Northwest at a time when there is very little rain suggesting avoidance rather than resistance. When it has been planted in commercial fields infected with root rot, presumably Phytophthora fragariae var. rubi, it has not shown symptoms of the disease. CHINOOK is introduced as an early-ripening, primocane-fruiting berry for the fresh market where its production of early season, high quality, very firm fruit and high yields will make it a preferred berry for fresh market sales. CHINOOK nuclear stock has tested negative for tomato ringspot, raspberry bushy dwarf, and tobacco streak viruses by ELISA and has indexed negative on grafting to R. occidentalis. CHINOOK is not patented. However, when this germplasm contributes to the development of a new cultivar, hybrid, or germplasm, it is requested that appropriate recognition be given to the source. Further information or a list of nurseries propagating CHINOOK is available on written request to Chad Finn; USDA-ARS, Northwest Center for Small Fruit Research; Horticultural Crops Research Laboratory; 3420 NW Orchard Ave.; Corvallis, Oregon 97330. The USDA-ARS does not sell plants. In addition, genetic material of this release has been deposited in the National Plant Germplasm System, where it will be available for research purposes, including development and commercialization of new cultivars.