Breeding of a new strawberry cultivar ‘Rongmei 3’

Abstract: ‘Rongmei 3’is a new early-maturing and anthrax-resistant strawberry cultivar, result from thecrossing of No.3 seedling progeny in‘Amaou’בBenihoppe’. It was initially selected in 2010 for its brightcolors, very early ripening time and high anthrax resisitance. 136 of hybrid seeds were obtained through artificial hybridization pollination. After regional adaptability testing at three sites (including Zhenjiang CityJurong County, Lianyungang City Donghai County, Huaian City Xuyu County) over four years from 2011 to2014, it was finally selected in 2015. Plant structure is up-right and spherical, plant height is 21.7 cm,crown diameter is 34.3 cm×29.5 cm, and dormancy shallow; Leaf colour is pale green and luster. The basicform of mid-leaf is wedge, incision wider; leaf length is 9.5 cm, width is 8.3 cm, petiole length is 13.2 cm,thickness is 0.45 cm; Petiole villi is up-right, stipule anthocyanin colour shallower, stolon sprouting abilityweakness; inflorescence is dichasium, flat on leaf, peduncle length is 12.2 cm, thickness is 0.41 cm, stalklength is 5.5 cm, thickness is 0.24 cm, corolla diameter is 2.8 cm. The fruit is short conical and uniform,with the average first-second grade weight is 25.2 g, the biggest fruit is 67 g. Fruit colour is red, flesh islight orange, pith hollow type and high yield. The soluble solids content is 12.6%, the total sugar content is 6.827%, the titratable acid content is 0.226% and the Vitamin C content is 0.771 mg·g^-1. Habit of growthand fruit of‘Rong Mei 3 hao’is stable, yielding ability very good, and harvest is about 33 246 kg per hm².The fruit firmnes is 0.48 kg·cm^-2, with long shelf life. The anthrax DI is 3.7 and 4.2, with high anthrax resistance, the powdery mildew DI is 5.8 and 6.9, with powdery mildew resistance.