Articles
‘ELEGANCE’ AND ‘VIBRANT’, TWO NEW STRAWBERRY CULTIVARS FOR PROGRAMMED CROPPING IN NORTHERN EUROPE
Article number
1049_32
Pages
259 – 261
Language
English
Abstract
Programmed cropping with short-day cultivars, also known as the 60-day system, is common in the United Kingdom and other countries in northern Europe.
Three types of plants are used: graded cold-stored runners (Frigo plants), waiting bed plants or tray plants.
The crop is produced approximately 60 days after planting and the system can be used in either soil or substrate.
The cultivars most widely used in this system are Elsanta and Sonata, which both perform well, but most other European short day cultivars are poorly adapted.
At East Malling Research (EMR) we have studied the inheritance of traits associated with good performance in the 60-day system and focussed on developing cultivars that are well adapted.
Two recent releases, Elegance and Vibrant have been specifically bred for the 60-day system and perform well from all three plant types. Elegance is adapted for open field or tunnel production and the 60-day yield potential is higher than Elsanta from plants of the equivalent size and type. Elegance is also very productive as a mature plant (maincrop), and at EMR has produced higher yields and larger berries than Elsanta in five trials in different years.
The fruit of Elegance is very attractive, with large, firm, berries of uniform conical shape, glossy skin and a bright, orange/red colour.
Brix levels and sensory flavour scores have been similar to Elsanta. Vibrant has an earlier season than Elegance and is approximately seven days before Elsanta in the maincrop season.
It is suitable for tunnel production in soil or substrate and in trials at EMR the average 60-day yield has exceeded Elsanta. If Vibrant plants are forced into production early, they will flower again and produce a second crop later in the summer.
The yield of this second crop varies between years, depending on the weather conditions.
The berries of Vibrant are firm with a very uniform conical shape and strong red colour.
Sensory flavour scores and Brix levels have been similar to Elsanta.
Three types of plants are used: graded cold-stored runners (Frigo plants), waiting bed plants or tray plants.
The crop is produced approximately 60 days after planting and the system can be used in either soil or substrate.
The cultivars most widely used in this system are Elsanta and Sonata, which both perform well, but most other European short day cultivars are poorly adapted.
At East Malling Research (EMR) we have studied the inheritance of traits associated with good performance in the 60-day system and focussed on developing cultivars that are well adapted.
Two recent releases, Elegance and Vibrant have been specifically bred for the 60-day system and perform well from all three plant types. Elegance is adapted for open field or tunnel production and the 60-day yield potential is higher than Elsanta from plants of the equivalent size and type. Elegance is also very productive as a mature plant (maincrop), and at EMR has produced higher yields and larger berries than Elsanta in five trials in different years.
The fruit of Elegance is very attractive, with large, firm, berries of uniform conical shape, glossy skin and a bright, orange/red colour.
Brix levels and sensory flavour scores have been similar to Elsanta. Vibrant has an earlier season than Elegance and is approximately seven days before Elsanta in the maincrop season.
It is suitable for tunnel production in soil or substrate and in trials at EMR the average 60-day yield has exceeded Elsanta. If Vibrant plants are forced into production early, they will flower again and produce a second crop later in the summer.
The yield of this second crop varies between years, depending on the weather conditions.
The berries of Vibrant are firm with a very uniform conical shape and strong red colour.
Sensory flavour scores and Brix levels have been similar to Elsanta.
Publication
Authors
D.W. Simpson, A.B. Whitehouse, A.W. Johnson, K.J. McLeary , A.J. Passey
Keywords
Fragaria × ananassa, breeding, 60-day system, Frigo plants
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