Connecting Breeders to Producers: Regional on-Farm trials of Strawberry Cultivars and Elite Selections
- Research Status: Completed Project 10/01/2017-09/30/2020
Thomas Peerbolt
Julie Pond
There has been an ongoing need to have consistent strawberry variety grower trials to determine the potential these new varieties have in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) climate and markets. This project began to bridge the gap between the introduction of new varieties and growers confidently planting these new varieties. Three seasons of fresh and processed strawberry trials were planted in the Pacific Northwest and evaluated for fall establishment, overwintering potential and preharvest qualities that would meet grower and buyer standards. Considering all evaluations and grower/processor feedback a breakdown of promising selections/varieties was completed.
Day Neutral Florida Beauty in Oregon (OR) and Washington (WA) had grower interest. Additionally, the Lassen Canyon Nursery (LCN) selection 86U60 showed promise in OR with encouragement to plant additional larger evaluation plots in WA. Promising fresh and processed market June Bearing varieties include Puget Crimson (in OR and WA) and Marys Peak (mainly in OR). June Bearers which require more evaluation but are trending good at this point include ORUS 2486-1 for fresh market in WA/OR but not for WA processed market, ORUS 3009-1 for fresh market in WA/OR but not for WA processed market, and Ruby June for OR fresh market mainly but needs more reach into WA for evaluation. Day Neutrals which need more evaluation but are not treading as an Albion replacement at this point include Salma, Valiant, and Royal Royce. Full first harvest information is set for next season and therefore is not ranked as they need further evaluation on the following June Bearing varieties: Florida Brilliance, Keepsake, Warrior, and Victor.
Remaining trial selections/varieties in this project did not perform well in the PNW. A trial structure was created to accelerate the commercialization of available genetic resources which in turn increases the economic viability of the Northwest strawberry industry.
