Establishment of wild roses for commercial rose hip production in Atlantic Canada

Rose species of the genus Rosa are found growing wild throughout the Atlantic Provinces of Canada in a multitude of different habitats. Rose hips, the marketable product from these rose species, are a rich natural source of bioactive compounds useful in the pharmaceutical industry. In 2004, a wild rose field experiment was established using planting stock propagated from numerous wild rose (Rosa virginiana carolina) isolate accessions collected from populations throughout Prince Edward Island. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of several field management practices on the establishment of a commercial rose hip plantation in Atlantic Canada. Treatments were applied at planting and included three in-row mulch (none, bark, and straw) treatments, three in-row fertility (none, compost, and fertilizer) treatments, and two interrow management (tilled and sod) treatments. Mulching increased nutrient uptake of N and P and increased plant growth. Fertilizer increased plant growth and yield of rose hips compared to no fertilizer or compost treatments. Tilled interrow treatment increased in shoot lengths, diameters, and plant spreads compared to interrow sod. This study indicates that during the early establishment years of a rose hip plantation, wild roses grow best with the use of mulch, fertilizer, and tillage between the rows. © 2008 by The Haworth Press.