Diversity in Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne ex Rosier: Phenotypic characterization of a strawberry diversity collection

Authors: Hummer, Kim; Bassil, Nahla; ZURN, JASON - Kansas State University; AMYOTTE, BEATRICE - Agriculture And Agri-Food Canada

Submitted to: Northwest Center for Small Fruit Research Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/13/2021
Publication Date: 12/13/2021
Citation: Hummer, K.E., Bassil, N.V., Zurn, J., Amyotte, B. 2021. Diversity in Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne ex Rosier: Phenotypic characterization of a strawberry diversity collection. Northwest Center for Small Fruit Research Proceedings.

Interpretive Summary: During 2019-2020, NCGR staff members measured numerical traits describing 284 strawberry cultivars from the Corvallis genebank that were planted in a field in Corvallis, Oregon. The broader goals of this study were to obtain phenotypic data on these accessions that were being analyzed in ongoing molecular studies. The objectives were to obtain descriptors for the accessions; obtain images of plants, flowers, and fruit of each accession; and load the phenotypic descriptors and image data to GRIN-Global. In addition, open pollinated seed was extracted from extra fruit of each accession and sent to the USDA ARS National Laboratory for Genetic Resource Preservation (NLGRP) in Fort Collins, Colorado, as a security germplasm backup. Some of the traits measured were bloom dates, harvest dates, fruit quality traits, fruit size, fruit shape, fruit chemistry (including total anthocyanins, soluble solids, titratable acidity, and pH), amount of runners, and the length of runners produced by one crown. Runners were measured during the first week in July for each year. Runner production ranged from none to 150 m per plant. Among the fastest ripening accessions, the ones with good fruit quality and yield (Oso Grande, Pinnacle, Cuesta) had very low number of runner daughter plants. Correlations among phenology traits were strongest in 2020. Positive correlations were observed between bloom date and harvest date, as well as between harvest date and days to ripen. In contrast, days to ripen was found to be negatively correlated with bloom date. There were no significant correlations for bloom date between years, between bloom and harvest date in 2019, or for days to ripening between years. A subset of 22 accessions were identified which had consistently above-average fruit quality characteristics. More specific data will be reported during the presentation.

Technical Abstract: During 2019-2020, NCGR staff members measured numerical traits describing 284 strawberry cultivars from the Corvallis genebank that were planted in a field in Corvallis, Oregon. The broader goals of this study were to obtain phenotypic data on these accessions that were being analyzed in ongoing molecular studies. The objectives were to obtain phenotypic descriptors for the accessions; obtain images of plants, flowers, and fruit of each accession; and load the phenotypic descriptors and image data to GRIN-Global. In addition, open pollinated seed was extracted from extra fruit of each accession and sent to the USDA ARS National Laboratory for Genetic Resource Preservation (NLGRP) in Fort Collins, Colorado, as a security germplasm backup. Some of the traits measured were bloom dates, harvest dates, fruit quality traits, fruit size, fruit shape, fruit chemistry (including total anthocyanins, soluble solids, titratable acidity, and pH), amount of runners, and the length of runners produced by one crown. Runners were measured during the first week in July for each year. Runner production ranged from none to 150 m per plant. Among the fastest ripening accessions, the ones with good fruit quality and yield (Oso Grande, Pinnacle, Cuesta) had very low number of runner daughter plants. Correlations among phenology traits were strongest in 2020. Positive correlations were observed between bloom date and harvest date, as well as between harvest date and days to ripen. In contrast, days to ripen was found to be negatively correlated with bloom date. There were no significant correlations for bloom date between years, between bloom and harvest date in 2019, or for days to ripening between years. A subset of 22 accessions were identified which had consistently above-average fruit quality characteristics. More specific data will be reported during the presentation.