Biscayne

Strawberry

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Key Largo'

Summary: 'Biscayne' has more pubescence on the petioles and stolons than 'Key Largo'. The length/width ratio of the terminal leaflet for 'Biscayne' is as long as broad while for 'Key Largo' it is longer than broad. The size of the calyx in relation to the fruit diameter for 'Biscayne' is the same size compared to 'Key Largo' which has a larger calyx in relation to the fruit diameter. 'Biscayne' has uneven fruit flesh colour while for 'Key largo' it is even. The fruit produced by 'Biscayne' has weak sweetness while that produced by 'Key Largo' has medium sweetness.

Description:

'Biscayne' is a non-everbearing strawberry variety with mid-season flowering and harvest maturity. Plants are flat globose in habit, medium in density and have moderate vigour. The leaves are medium green on the upper side with a slightly concave to flat profile and moderate blistering. There are three leaflets present. The terminal leaflet has a cupped profile and is as long as it is broad. The terminal leaflet has an acute shaped base and the margin teeth are obtuse in shape. The petiole has moderate pubescence with the hairs positioned outwards. 'Biscayne' produces a medium number of stolons which have moderate intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The stolons are thick and have dense pubescence.

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

The fruiting truss is erect and long. The fruit length/width ratio is almost as long as it is broad and medium 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 absent to very narrow and the unevenness of the fruit surface is absent to very weak. The fruit of 'Biscayne' has red skin that is even in colour with strong glossiness. The achenes are level with the fruit surface. The calyx is set almost level with the fruit surface and the calyx segments are clasping. The calyx is the same size as the fruit in diameter and adheres moderately to the fruit. The fruit flesh is soft and an uneven, medium red colour. The fruit has weak sweetness, moderate acidity and a medium texture.

Origin & Breeding History: 'Biscayne' originated from the controlled cross between varieties 'Key Largo' and 'L3' in Pajaro, Monterey County, California in December 1993. It was selected from a controlled breeding plot located at Garrison Farm in Valrico, Hillsborough County, Florida, in December 1994. Selection was based on its combination of particular traits which included plant vigour, width and length of the terminal leaflet, number of teeth per terminal leaflet, leaf profile, terminal leaflet shape, petiole pubescence, diameter of inner to outer calyx, length of fruiting truss, insertion of the calyx in the fruit and large hollow center of the fruit.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials for 'Marathon' were conducted in matted rows at the Atlantic Food and Horticulture Research Centre, Kentville, Nova Scotia in 2000 and 2001. The trials consisted of two replicates per variety. The plants were planted in rows approximately 5 metres long and 0.5 metres wide. Evaluations were made on plants during the 2000 and 2001 growing seasons.