The James Hutton Institute will introduce a new blackberry cultivar, Loch Katrine, at Fruit Focus 2025. Developed through the institute's soft fruit breeding programme, Loch Katrine is reported to have favourable traits, including uniform shape and size, good flavour, ease of picking, and thorn-free canes. It is also noted to maintain quality after cold storage.
According to breeder Nikki Jennings, the variety combines multiple commercial characteristics valued by growers and the supply chain.
The James Hutton Institute supports Scotland's fruit industry by applying marker-assisted breeding to accelerate the development of cultivars with desirable traits, including improved pest and disease resistance and suitability for changing environmental conditions. The programme works in collaboration with growers and industry stakeholders to address specific sector needs.
Soft fruit production remains a relatively small but expanding part of Scottish agriculture, with output geared toward high-quality fresh and processing markets in the UK. The sector is seen as having potential for growth and employment.
The new variety will be showcased at Fruit Focus 2025 on 9 July at the National Institute of Agricultural Biology (NIAB) in Kent, an event that brings together growers, researchers, and suppliers to highlight new technologies and developments in the fruit and viticulture industries.
For more information:
Joyce Reid
James Hutton Institute
Tel: +44 07931 551 988
Email: [email protected]
www.hutton.ac.uk