La Cle des Champs

Strawberry

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Jewel'

Summary: The low temperature tolerance of 'La Cle des Champs' is high whereas in 'Jewel' it is medium. The terminal leaflets of 'La Cle des Champs' are longer than they are broad whereas they are as long as they are broad in 'Jewel'. The leaves of 'La Cle des Champs' have weak interveinal blistering whereas it is very weak in 'Jewel'. 'La Cle des Champs' is resistant to powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis Wallr. Ex fr.) and leaf scorch (Diplocarpon earlina Ell. & Ev.) whereas 'Jewel' is moderately resistant. 'La Cle des Champs' is moderately susceptible to susceptible to Verticillium wilt whereas 'Jewel' is moderately susceptible. La Cle des Champs is moderately susceptible to susceptible to leaf spot (Mycosphaerella fragariae (Tul.) Lindau) whereas 'Jewel' is moderately resistant to moderately susceptible.

Description:

'La Cle des Champs' is a June-bearing strawberry variety with mid-season flowering and maturity. Plants are globose in habit, with strong medium vigour and high tolerance to low temperatures. The leaves are medium green with a slightly convex profile and weak blistering. There are three leaflets present. The terminal leaflet has a cupped profile and is slightly longer than broad. The terminal leaflet has an obtuse shaped base and the margin teeth are acute to obtuse in shape. The petiole has medium to dense pubescence with the hairs positioned outwards. 'La Cle des Champs' produces many stolons which are medium to thick.

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

The fruiting truss is semi-erect to prostrate and long. The fruit is longer than broad and ranges in size from medium to very large. The fruit is conical in shape with slight to moderate differences between the shape of the primary and secondary fruits. The achene band is medium to broad and the unevenness of the fruit surface is weak. 'La Cle des Champs' has slightly uneven orange-red to red skin colour with strong glossiness. The achenes are inserted level with to above the fruit surface. The calyx is set above the fruit and the calyx segments are reflexed. The calyx is the same size as to larger than the fruit in diameter and adheres strongly to the fruit. The fruit flesh is firm to extremely firm with an uneven, orange red colour. The fruit has medium sweetness, acidity and texture. 'La Cle des Champs' is resistant to powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis Wallr. Ex fr.) and leaf scorch (Diplocarpon earlina Ell. & Ev.). It is moderately resistant to moderately susceptible to Verticillium wilt and leaf spot (Mycosphaerella fragariae (Tul.) Lindau) and moderately susceptible to all races of Red stele.

Origin & Breeding History: 'La Cle des Champs' originated from the controlled cross of 'SJ89244-6E' and 'SJ8518-11' made in 1993. Evaluations have been ongoing since 1994. Selection criteria include winter hardiness, fruit quality, shelf life and disease resistance.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials for 'La Cle des Champs' were planted in 2002 at l'Acadie, Québec. The plots were grown in matted rows approximately 2.5 metres in length, and consisted of four replicates per variety. Evaluations were made on plants during 2002-2003 growing seasons.