Aromas

Strawberry

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Selva', 'Diamante' and 'Pacific'

Summary: The leaves of 'Aromas' have medium to strong interveinal blistering compared to 'Selva' which have very weak interveinal blistering. The fruit of 'Aromas' have a very narrow band without achenes compared to 'Diamante' and 'Pacific' which have narrow bands without achenes. The colour of the fruit flesh of 'Aromas' is light red compared to 'Selva' and 'Pacific' which are medium red and 'Diamante' which is orange-red. The calyx of 'Aromas' is larger than the size of the fruit diameter while for 'Diamante' the calyx is the same size and 'Pacific' the calyx is smaller than the fruit diameter.

Description:

'Aromas' is an everbearing strawberry variety with early flowering and maturity. Plants are globose in habit, medium to dense and have medium to strong vigour and medium to high tolerance to low temperatures. The leaves are medium green in colour with a slightly convex profile and medium to strong blistering. There are three leaflets present. The terminal leaflet has a flat profile and is as long as broad. The terminal leaflet has a moderately oblique shaped base and the margin teeth are obtuse in shape. The petiole has medium pubescence with the hairs positioned outwards. The stipules have very weak anthocyanin colouration. 'Aromas' produces few stolons which have strong anthocyanin colouration. The stolons are medium in thickness and have sparse pubescence.

The flowers are positioned beneath to level with the foliage and are medium in size. The calyx is smaller in diameter relative to the corolla and the inner calyx is larger than the outer calyx. The flower petals are overlapping. The petal length/width ratio is broader than long.

The fruiting truss is erect and short in length. The fruit is longer than broad and large to very large in size. The fruit is conical in shape and there are marked differences between the shape of the primary and secondary fruits. The achene band is absent to very narrow and the unevenness of the fruit surface is strong. 'Aromas' has dark red skin that is even to slightly uneven in colour and has strong glossiness. The achenes are insertedl level the fruit surface. The calyx is set level with the fruit surface and the calyx segments are reflexed. The calyx is larger than the fruit in diameter and adheres strongly to the fruit. The fruit flesh is extremely firm and is light red and uneven in colour. The fruit has weak sweetness, weak acidity and a coarse texture.

Origin & Breeding History: 'Aromas' 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 91.248-3 was propagated asexually by runners. The variety was selected based on everbearing fruit production, fruit yield, fruit size, fruit colour and flavour, post-harvest fruit characteristics, and disease resistance.

Tests & Trials: Trials were planted in 1999 at Krause Bros. Farms in Langley, British, Columbian. 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 under the plastic mulch. Evaluations were made on plants during 1999 and 2000.