Diamante

Strawberry

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Selva' and 'Aromas'

Summary: Plants of 'Diamante' have weak to medium vigour compared to 'Selva' which have strong to very strong vigour. The leaves of 'Diamante' have medium interveinal blistering compared to 'Selva' which have very weak blistering. The leaves of 'Diamante' are cupped in profile whereas they are flat in both reference varieties. The inflorescence of 'Diamante' is level with to above the foliage whereas they are beneath to level with the foliage in both reference varieties. The fruit of 'Diamante' have a narrow band without achenes whereas 'Aromas' has a very narrow band. The calyx of 'Diamante' is the same size as the fruit diameter whereas the calyx is larger than the fruit diameter in 'Selva' and 'Aromas'.

Description:

'Diamante' is a day-neutral strawberry variety with early flowering and maturity. Plants are globose in habit, medium in density and have weak to medium vigour and medium tolerance to low temperatures. The leaves are medium to dark green with a slightly convex profile and medium blistering. There are three leaflets present. The terminal leaflet has a cupped profile and is slightly longer than broad. The terminal leaflet has a slightly oblique shaped base and the margin teeth are obtuse to rounded in shape. The petiole has medium to dense pubescence with the hairs positioned outwards. The stipules have very weak anthocyanin colouration. 'Diamante' produces a medium number of stolons which have strong anthocyanin colouration. The stolons are medium in thickness with medium pubescence.

The medium-sized flowers are positioned level to above the foliage. The calyx is the same size in diameter relative to the corolla and the inner calyx is the same size to larger than the outer calyx. The flower petals are freely spaced to touching. The petal length/width ratio is broader than long.

The fruiting truss is semi-erect and short in length. The fruit is longer than broad and large in size. The fruit is conical in shape and there are slight differences between the shape of the primary and secondary fruits. The achene band is narrow and the unevenness of the fruit surface is weak. 'Diamante' has slightly uneven red skin colour with strong glossiness. The achenes are inserted below the fruit surface. The calyx is set above the fruit and the calyx segments are reflexed. The calyx is the same size as the fruit in diameter and adheres strongly to the fruit. The fruit flesh is firm and a uniform, light orange red colour. The fruit has medium sweetness, medium acidity and a coarse texture.

Origin & Breeding History: 'Diamante' originated from the controlled cross between California selections Cal 87.112-6 and CAL 88.270-1 in 1991. The first fruit were produced at the University of California Wolfskill Experimental Orchard in 1992 and the selection designated as Cal 91.248-6 was propagated asexually by runners. The variety was selected based on day-neutral fruit production, fruit yield, fruit size, fruit colour and flavour, post-harvest fruit characteristics and disease resistance.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials were planted in 1999 at Krause Bros. Farms, Langley, British Columbia. Plots were replicated twice, with 20 plants per plot. Plants were set out in a hill system on raised beds and black plastic mulch with trickle irrigation. Evaluations were made on plants during 1999-2001 growing seasons.