A very early, high-yielding primocane fruiting raspberry that overlaps late-summer fruiting varieties and is released primarily for growing in the Pacific Northwest. Origin: East Malling, England, by V.H. Knight at Horticultural Research International; from a cross made in 1982 by E. Keep between Autumn Bliss and EM 5326/1; selected by V.H. Knight in 1985; tested as EM 5961/24; Autumn Byrd is a 3rd backcross from Rubus spectabilis and has inherited genes for early primocane fruiting from this species. Other sources of primocane fruiting genes in its derivation include Lloyd George (R. idaeus vulgatus), R. i. strigosus, R. arcticus, and R. odoratus. The cultivar also has R. crataegifolius and R. occidentalis in its derivation. Tree: tall, vigorous, fairly erect with short internodes and few spines; higher yield than Autumn Bliss in British Columbia but similar yield in England. Resistant to strains one through four of Amphorophora idaei, the European aphid vector of the raspberry mosaic virus complex; susceptible to the common strain of Amphorophora agathonica, the North American aphid vector of the complex; very slow to become infected with raspberry bushy dwarf virus in the field at East Malling and has not show symptoms of infection; susceptible to Phytophthora fragariae var. rubi in glasshouse tests at East Malling. Fruit: medium to large, medium red with downy appearance; moderately firm; easy to harvest; pleasant flavor; some split receptacles; very early primocane fruiting, a week earlier than Autumn Bliss in British Columbia and similar to it in England.
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