New Strawberry Cultivars for Growing in High Tunnels

Abstract Strawberry growing in high tunnels is widely used in many countries and the area under cover is increasing. Usually, early ripening cultivars are planted in high tunnels to obtain even earlier yield in the season. In this investigation, several new strawberry cultivars and one hybrid (of Dutch breeding) with medium and late ripening time were evaluated for growing in high tunnels in soil. The trial was established in 4 August 2016 in a FVG type tunnel (60 × 4 × 3.35 m). Frigo plants of the following categories of cultivars and hybrids were used in the investigation: ‘Sonata’ (A) and ‘Sonsation’ (A+) of medium ripening time; ‘Faith’ (A+) and hybrid 09-90s-05 (A) of late ripening time; ‘Malwina’ (A+) and ‘Magnus’ (A) of very late ripening time. The plants were grown on raised beds covered with black plastic mulch in double rows with drip irrigation. Soil type was heavy loam. Plant survival after winter, productivity potential, yield, fruit size, the ratio of high quality to damaged fruits in the crop, fruit sensory characteristics, shelf life and biochemical content after freezing were evaluated. According to three-year evaluation results, ‘Sonsation’ had better fruit quality and resistance to crown diseases than ‘Sonata’ and can be considered appropriate for yield forcing in high tunnels. Hybrid 09-90s-05 and ‘Faith’ are not appropriate for growing in high tunnels in heavy soils. Hybrid 09-90s-05 had good yield, but medium fruit quality and low taste score, and it was susceptible to grey mould. ‘Faith’ had low productivity potential and fruits of medium taste. The very late ripening cultivars ‘Malwina’ and ‘Magnus’ had low productivity in all evaluation years, probably because of too heavy soil.