Evaluation of new strawberry cultivars for their potential use in organic farming and in Verticillium -infested soils
Year: 2009
Type: article
Abstract: Summary As part of a research project 13 cultivars were planted in 2005 at 11 sites in 5 different Austrian regions. The aim was to find new cultivars tolerant to the soil-borne pathogen Verticillium dahliae and to leaf/fruit diseases, with high yield and good fruit quality, to serve as alternative to 'Elsanta', a highly susceptible cultivar regarding soil-borne diseases. Infestation with V. dahliae was evaluated in 2005 and 2006 at 7 sites and in 2007 at 3 sites. Moreover marketable yield, percentage of different categories of unmarketable fruits, plant vigour, and incidence of the blossom weevil Anthonomus rubi , of chlorosis and of leaf spot diseases were assessed on 2 of the sites in 2006 and 2007. 'Elsanta' showed the highest infestation with V. dahliae whereas 'Salsa' and 'Daroyal' were most tolerant. 'Daroyal', 'Queen Elisa', 'Eva' and 'Dora' showed very high plant vigour. 'Dora', 'Eva', 'Queen Elisa' and 'Daroyal' recorded significantly higher losses by the blossom weevil than 'Alice'. Highest marketable yield per plant had the late ripening cultivars, particularly 'Salsa' and 'Sonata'. Of all early ripening cultivars tested, 'Darselect' showed the highest yield, followed by 'Elsanta', 'Daroyal' and 'Alba'. Summing up all the results, 'Alba', 'Alice', 'Daroyal', 'Darselect' and 'Salsa' can be recommended for organic production. 'Elsanta' and 'Sonata' had high yield under organic farming conditions, but are highly susceptible to V. dahliae . 'Salsa', 'Daroyal', 'Alice', 'Record' and 'Queen Elisa' are suitable for growing in Verticillium -infested soils. As new alternatives to 'Elsanta', the early ripening cultivars 'Alba', 'Clery', 'Daroyal' and 'Queen Elisa' can be used, though 'Clery' and 'Queen Elisa' had rather low yield under organic farming conditions and 'Alba' and 'Clery' are only partially tolerant to V. dahliae . 'Divine' and 'Dora' had low yield and are susceptible to Verticillium -wilt and 'Record' is prone to grey mould. These cultivars cannot be recommended for organic production.
Institutions: BOKU University, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W64897828