January 12, 2017

Abigail Debner presented her Horticulture M.S. thesis Hardwood Floricane Blackberry Cuttings and Primocane Blackberry Production in North Dakota on Monday, December 19, 2016. Her research utilized dormant hardwood cuttings of floricane-fruiting blackberry to obtain adventitious rooting to produce miniature fruiting blackberry plants for annual blackberry production. Debner evaluated various rooting methods, auxin types and concentrations, and cultivars for best adventitious root production.

Debner also experimented with and evaluated the impact of three cane tipping treatments (no tipping, single-tipping, and double-tipping) on growth and yield of four primocane-fruiting blackberry cultivars (Prime-Jim®, Prime-Jan®, Prime-Ark® 45, and Prime-Ark® Freedom) in three growing conditions: high tunnel, silver plastic reflective mulch, and bare soil.

While at NDSU, Debner earned the Charles and Linda Moses Scholarship, was a member of the Plant Sciences Graduate Student Association, and held an internship with Denver Botanic Gardens in Colorado.

Debner has accepted an Assistant Grower position with Fred Holasek and Son Greenhouse, Inc. in Lester Prairie, Minnesota, near her hometown of Winsted.

Debner’s graduate committee members were Dr. Todd West and Dr. R.J. Goos. She was advised by Dr. Harlene Hatterman-Valenti.

Source: Abigail Debner (contact Dr. Harlene Hatterman-Valentil, h.hatterman.valenti@ndsu.edu, 701-231-8536)
Author: Shannon Ueker (shannon.ueker@ndsu.edu, 701-231-7971)
Editor: Karen Hertsgaard (karen.hertsgaard@ndsu.edu, 701-231-5384)