RECENT PROGRESS IN BREEDING STRAWBERRIES FOR ATLANTIC CANADA

The strawberry breeding program at the Kentville Research Station began in 1949 and has produced several cultivars of commercial importance in central and eastern Canada and northeastern U.S.A. Of the recent introductions, 'Kent' (1981) has set a new standard for high yield and 'Glooscap' (1983) has performed especially well in areas with very cold winter minimum temperatures (Canadian plant hardiness zones 3a to 5a).

Breeding objectives reflect current and projected industry trends in Atlantic Canada. The reduction in pick-your-own demand since 1980 has increased breeding emphasis on fruit firmness, appearance, shipping qualities, and resistance to Botrytis fruit rot.

Recent developments in mechanical harvesting technology and increased interest in processing have encouraged supportive strawberry breeding at Kentville. Marketing strawberries outside of the normal four week season will be necessary for industry expansion. We are developing late fruiting short-day cultivars and improved day-neutral cultivars to support this expansion. Additional effort is directed toward improving yield stability by incorporating resistance to root pathogens and tolerance to herbicides.