Adaptive Zones and Ancestry of the Most Important North American Strawberry Cultivars

Abstract

The most popular strawberry cultivars grown in North America are contained in 7 cluster groups based on coefficients of relationship. They can be assorted into six major climatic/geographical regions: 1) California, 2) Florida, 3) Pacific Northwest, 4) Southern U.S., 5) Lower Mid-western and Eastern U.S. and 6) Eastern Canada and Upper Mid-western U.S. There are key horticultural traits associated with the founding clones of each cluster group, but in many instances cultivars are grown in areas quite distant from the origin of their ancestors. This suggests that germplasm from very broad geographical/climatic zones can be successfully incorporated in regional breeding programs.