'Suvetar' and 'Valotar' - new strawberry cultivars (Research Note)

Authors

• T. HIETARANTA
• P. PARIKKA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2137/145960608785328224

Abstract

The strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) cultivars Suvetar and Valotar have been released from the breeding programme of MTT Agrifood Research Finland. Both new cultivars overwintered as well as the control cultivars Jonsok and Polka. Suvetar overwintered even better than Polka. Suvetar was produced from the cross Polka × Emily. It scored better than the control cultivars for sensory assessed skin resistance. Measured fruit firmness of Suvetar was not significantly different from that of Polka, but was better than Jonsok. Valotar originates from a cross between Jewel and Senga Sengana. Its measured fruit firmness was better than that of Jonsok and Polka. Considering sensory assessments, the good firmness seems to be largely due to good skin resistance. The fresh flavour, yield, fruit size and fruit appearance of Suvetar and Valotar, together with improved fruit firmness, make both the new varieties suitable for the fresh fruit market.;