Technical Abstract: Once thought of as a berry consumed only from wild plants, blackberries (Rubus subgenus Rubus Watson) have now become a common fruit choice in marketing outlets, particularly in North America and the European Union. Termed the “fourth” berry by some, after the more common strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch.), blueberry (Vaccinium spp.), and red raspberry (R. idaeus L.), blackberries have enjoyed expansion due to a combination of factors, including improved cultivars, expanded marketing efforts and fruit availability, and an overall increase in berry consumption, especially as fresh fruit, in many areas of the world. It is estimated that cultivated blackberries are grown in excess of 25,000 ha.