2018 ASHS Annual Conference

Increased strawberry cultivation in southern Florida could be achieved through the adoption of modern and niche strawberry varieties. Current strawberry cultivation in southern Florida is challenged by environmental factors including calcareous soils, growing a temperate crop in a subtropical climate, and high labor and land costs. Additionally, the major market opportunities to date include mixed business models incorporating agro-tourism and value-added product offerings. Data from systematic trailing of modern, commercial strawberry cultivars with improved yield potential and disease resistance is lacking for southern Florida, and field trials of niche alpine strawberries has not been conducted previously. This two-year study demonstrates the superior yield of University of Florida cultivars ‘Strawberry Festival’ and ‘Sweet Sensation’. Year 2 marketable yield for ‘Sweet Sensation’ was up to 60% higher than ‘Strawberry Festival’ with a notable contribution from increased Anthracnose fruit spot resistance. Alpine strawberry yield data over a single season showed that accessions ‘Reine des Vallees’, ‘Baron Solemacher’, ‘Fragolina di Bosco’, ‘Reugen’, and the white fruited ‘White Delight’ had the highest yields of sixteen cultivars tested. Overall, fruit quality data showed few differences for sugars, Brix, or acidity among cultivars. Aroma profiles showed significant differences among cultivars (eg methyl anthranilate), but the impact on sensory quality is yet to be determined. These results demonstrate the rapid yield gains that can be made through the adoption of superior cultivars, and provides foundational information for the establishment of niche alpine strawberry cultivation as a new crop for southern Florida.