Matted-Row Strawberry Cultivar Productivity in Missouri, 2005-2006

Abstract

Fifteen June bearing strawberry ( Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cultivars were evaluated for productivity in south central Missouri. The production system was matted rows on raised beds at 46 cm in-row plant spacing with rows 1.8 m apart. The planting was established in 2004, cropped in 2005 and renovated, and then cropped again in 2006. The highest yielding cultivars in 2005 were ‘Brunswick’, ‘Mesabi’, ‘Annapolis’, and ‘Mira’, all above 5 kg per linear m of row. In 2006 ‘Annapolis’, ‘Mesabi’, ‘Sable’, ‘Eros’, ‘L’Amour’, and ‘Darselect’ were highest yielding, all above 2.5 kg per m. Mean marketable yield for all cultivars was 96% and 91% respectively in 2005 and 2006. Mean weighted average berry size for all cultivars was 12.5 g and 11.7 g respectively in 2005 and 2006. Peak harvest date appeared to be more closely associated with published harvest season than first or last harvest dates. Production season length was 22 to 30 days in 2005 and 15 to 27 days in 2006, depending on cultivar.