Evaluation of Strawberry Cultivars with Different Degrees of Resistance to Red Stele

Abstract

Sixteen commercially grown strawberry cultivars with different degrees of resistance to red stele were evaluated for yield, plant characteristics and fruit quality. 'Bounty, 'Midway,' and 'Sparkle' had sufficient interior and exterior fruit color, good to satisfactory flavor and are suitable for freezing. However, these cultivars as well as 'Redcoat' lacked sufficient fruit firmness. 'Bounty,' 'Redcoat,' 'Redchief' and 'Sparkle' had the highest yield in the three-year test. 'Annapolis,' 'Earliglow' and 'Scott' had reflexed calyx whereas 'Allstar,' 'Annapolis,' 'Cornwallis,' 'Earliglow,' 'Guardian' and 'Sunrise' were characterized by a raised neck suitable for mechanical dehulling. 'Sunrise' appeared to be the only cultivar free of leaf scorch and leaf spot. 'Tristar,' 'Redchief,' 'Lester,' 'Darrow' and 'Arking' roots had the lowest incidence of red stele when planted in a naturally-infested field. No relationship between fruit characteristics was observed (except for calyx and neck) which suggests the necessity to examine each individual trait.