STRAWBERRY CULTIVAR USAGE IN NORTH AMERICA

Authors: Hokanson, Stan; Finn, Chad

Submitted to: HortTechnology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/6/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Changes in strawberry cultural systems, loss of chemicals for disease controls and need for disease resistant cultivars have created demands by North American commercial strawberry growers for new cultivars. In particular, within the past decade, the annual plastic-mulched production system has quickly expanded into eastern North America prompting the need for cold-hardy cultivars adapted to that system. The continual loss of traditional chemical controls for strawberry insects and diseases, including the impending loss of methyl bromide, has prompted the need for insect and disease resistant cultivars. In addition, consumer demands for a healthier food product with lower chemical residues has heightened this need. Because strawberry is a relatively minor crop, current information regarding cultivar usage patterns is not readily available. Small fruit experts from eight regions provided information on the primary strawberry cultivars used in the recent past, the present, and potential cultivars for the future, as well as current strawberry acreage in their respective states and provinces. Strawberry breeders, extension personnel, growers, and the strawberry nursery industry will utilize information contained within this report.

Technical Abstract: Strawberry cultivars utilized by commercial producers in North America change quite quickly due to several factors including, changing cultural practices, changing processing and marketing practices, the desire for new cultivars with larger and higher quality berries, the continual evolution of resistant insect and disease pests, loss of traditional chemical control methods for such pests, and the increasing influence of private sector breeding operations. In particular, within the past decade, the annual plastic-mulched production system has quickly expanded into eastern North America prompting the need for cold-hardy cultivars adapted to that system. The continual loss of traditional chemical controls for strawberry insects and diseases, including the impending loss of methyl bromide, has prompted the need for insect and disease resistant cultivars. In addition, consumer demands for a healthier food product with dynamic nature of the commercial strawberry industry necessitates a periodic review of the cultivar picture. Small fruit experts from eight regions provided information on the primary strawberry cultivars used in the recent past, the present, and potential cultivars for the future, as well as current strawberry acreage in their respective states and provinces.