Breeding of a new strawberry cultivar Hongyu (Fragaria × ananassa Duch. )

Abstract: Hongyu is a new early-ripening and disease-resistant cultivar (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.). The seedling was derived from a cross between Benihoppe (female parent) and a strain coded as 2008-2- 20 (Sweet Charlie × Benihoppe, male parent) at the experimental field. Through artificial pollination, 503 hybrid seeds were obtained in April 2010 and 225 seedlings growing from these seeds were planted in September. In 2012, the strain 2010-2-17, one of the hybrid seedlings, was initially selected for its early-ripening, disease-resistance, larger fruit size, good taste and so on. It was then propagated largely for cultivating test. After regional adaptability testing at 5 sites (including Xiayang, Jiande and Fuyang in Hangzhou, Changping in Beijing, and Shuangliu in Sichuan province) over four years from 2013 to 2016, it was finally selected and applied for the protection right of new plant varieties named as Hon-gyu in 2017. The growth vigor of this cultivar is moderate and the growth habit of the plant is spread-ing. In January under forcing culture conditions, the plant height is 26.3 cm and the crown diameter is 28.6 cm. The leaves are long with medium green color. The leaf length is 8.8 cm and the leaf width is 6.2 cm. The petiole length is 16.5 cm. Hermaphrodite flowers are white and the corolla diameter is 3.3 cm. The inflorescence is higher than the leaf surface and the number of flowers per inflorescence is 12-20. The fruit is mainly long conical with evenly colored orange-red peel and shine surface. The flesh is also orange-red with no or small pith cavities and pleasant aroma. Seeds recess into the fruit surface. The ca-lyx of the fruit is protruding and the sepals are flat. The average fruit weight is 22.4 g. The fruit tastes crisp and sweet with some sour. The average soluble solids content is 11.3% and the soluble sugar con-tent is 7.8%. The fruit firmness is moderate with an average of 1.96 kg· cm^-2. Around Hangzhou area of hejiang province, seedlings are usually planted in early September. The fruits start to ripen in mid-November and the plant enters full fruit period in mid-December. The harvesting period can last until May of the following year, and fruit yield can reach up to 3.5 t· hm^-2. The cultivar is moderately resistant to anthracnose and Botrytis cinereal, and has similar resistance to powdery mildew as Benihoppe. The fruit is suitable for long time storage and transportation. The cultivar is tolerant to low temperature and week light, capable of continuous fruiting, and suitable for forcing culture in most areas of China. It is needed to apply enough base- fertilizer for higher yield. The height of planting ridges should be more than 35 cm. According to the growth of the plant, old and diseased leaves should be removed in time, and fertilizer supplement should be timely and appropriate.