Breeding report of a new strawberry cultivar ‘Jingquanxiang'

Abstract: ‘Jingquanxiang'is an early-mid season variety selected by Beijing Academy of Forestry and Pomology Sciences. More than 400 hybrid seeds were got from the artificial hybridization between‘Gaviota'and‘Benihoppe'in 2006. In the greenhouse, No. 06-56-6 was selected from 16 selections for its bright colors and big size fruit. After regional adaptability testing at Haidian, Tongzhou and Changping districts in Beijing from 2010 to 2012, No. 06-56-6 was finally selected and named‘Jingquanxiang'in 2012. The growth habit of plant was semi-upright and the height was 18.9 cm. The plant had strong vigorous with crown diameter of 32.5 cm and 29.6 cm. Leaves were round and sharply serrated. Petiole length was 12.9 cm. Hermaphrodite flowers were white and inflorescence was above foliage.Fruits were mainly conical or wedged shape with red peel and smooth surface. Its flesh was orange-red with intense aroma. The average fruit weight was 38.4 g and maximum fruit weight was 90 g. Longitudinal and horizontal diameters of the fruits were 5.46 and 4.32 cm. The contents of soluble solid, total sugar and acid, and vitamin C were 9.4%, 5.2%, 0.46% and 0.757 mg · g-1, respectively. The firmness of fruit was 2.12 kg · cm^-2. It was resistant to gray mold and susceptible to powdery mildew in open field experiment.‘Jingquanxiang' was a cultivar suitable for cultivation in Beijing and other areas with the similar climatic conditions. Orchard should choose in sandy soil and had ability of moisture and fertilizer retention. In Beijing, the plantlets usually planted in late August or early September and harvested within the timespan of December through May. For the aim of harvesting big size fruit and commercial fruit, 4 to 6 fruits were acceptable for each plant. Plant management included removing old, disease leaves and runners were necessary. It was appropriate to harvest before 9 am or after 3 pm.