UA Looks to Patent Another Blackberry

The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture has applied for a patent on a fourth thornless blackberry that will be available to licensed nurseries this fall.

The Ouachita berry will be available to the public on a limited basis next summer. The UA’s previous three thornless blackberries on the market include the Navajo, Arapaho and Apache.

“Royalties from plant sales are increasingly important for supporting the breeding program,” said John Clark, fruit breeder for the UA Agricultural Experiment Station. “The [UA] blackberry program is one of the largest and most respected in the world. Arkansas blackberries are grown on every continent except Antarctica.”

The Ouachita offers sweet berries suitable for fresh market or commercial shipping.

Since the UA fruit breeding program began in 1964, it has released 11 improved varieties, including the four thornless blackberries.