THREE NEW ITALIAN STRAWBERRY CULTIVARS FOR SOUTHERN AREAS

Italy’s public-sector strawberry breeding program for the southern regions started 20 years ago and, since 1993, has been part of the National “Frutticoltura Project” financed largely by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MiPAAF), along with funding support from the Basilicata regional authority and the Palermo and Basilicata universities. Three new short-day (SD) cultivars suited to southern areas and winter planting systems will be released on the occasion of this Strawberry Symposium: ‘PALATINA’, the 1997 Metaponto selection ‘MT 95.159.2’ bred from a cross of ‘Tudla® Milsei’ and ‘Camarosa’, ‘NORA’, the 2001 Metaponto selection ‘MT 99.20.01’ bred from a cross of ‘Chandler’ and Italian selection ‘91.143.5’, and ‘KILO’, the 2001 Metaponto selection ‘MT 99.163.22’ bred from a cross of ‘Rosalinda’ and ‘Demetra’.