Albion

Strawberry

Variety Description

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

Summary: 'Albion' differs from the reference varieties, 'Selva', 'Diamante' and 'Aromas' mainly in anthocyanin colouration of the stolons, density of pubescence of the stolons, position of the inflorescence relative to the foliage, petal length/width ratio and fruit shape and sweetness. The stolons of 'Albion' have weak anthocyanin colouration whereas it is medium in 'Selva' and 'Aromas' and strong in 'Diamante'. The pubescence on the stolons of 'Albion' is dense whereas it is sparse on 'Selva' and 'Aromas' and medium in density on 'Diamante'. The inflorescence of 'Albion' is positioned above the foliage whereas it is beneath to level with the foliage in 'Selva' and 'Aromas'. The petals of 'Albion' are as long as they are broad whereas they are broader than they are long in the reference varieties. The fruit of 'Albion' is predominantly conical whereas it is almost cylindrical in 'Selva' and ' Aromas' and cordate in 'Diamante'. The fruit of 'Albion' has strong sweetness whereas it is weak in 'Selva' and 'Aromas' and medium in 'Diamante'.

Description:

PLANT: fully ever-bearing, globose growth habit, medium density, strong vigour, high tolerance of low temperatures

LEAF: medium to dark green, slightly convex profile, medium inter-veinal blistering, three leaflets per leaf
TERMINAL LEAFLET: cupped in profile, as long as broad to longer than broad length/width ratio, slightly oblique base, obtuse marginal teeth
PETIOLE: dense to very dense pubescence, hairs pointing outwards
STIPULE: weak to medium anthocyanin colouration

STOLON: medium in number, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium to thick, dense pubescence

TIME OF FLOWERING: early
INFLORESCENCE: positioned above foliage
FLOWER: medium to large, calyx diameter larger than corolla, inner calyx diameter larger than diameter of outer calyx
PETALS: free to touching, as long as broad

TIME OF HARVEST MATURITY: early
FRUITING TRUSS: erect attitude at first picking, short to medium in length
FRUIT: longer than they are broad, very large, predominant shape is conical, moderate to marked difference in shape between primary and secondary fruit, medium width band without achenes
FRUIT SKIN: weak to medium unevennes of surface, red, slightly uneven colour, strong glossiness
ACHENES: below surface of fruit
CALYX: set above the fruit, reflexed segments, larger than fruit diameter, strong adherence
FRUIT FLESH: firm, medium red, slightly uneven to even colour, strong sweetness, coarse texture when tasted, weak acidity

Origin & Breeding History: 'Albion' originated from the cross between 'Diamante' and the advanced selection Cal94.16-1 performed in 1997 at the University of California, Davis, USA. It was first fruited in 1998 at the University of California, Wolfskill Experimental Orchard near Winters, California where it was selected as Cal97.117-3 and propagated asexually by runners. Asexual propagules were tested at the Watsonville Strawberry Research Facility, the South Coast Research and Extension Center and in growers fields, to a limited extent, starting in 1999. Selection criteria included maturity date, fruit quality and outstanding flavour.

Tests & Trials: The tests and trials for 'Albion' were conducted in raised beds in plastic mulch at Krause Bros. Farms, Aldergrove, British Columbia during the summers of 2005 and 2006. The trials consisted of 4 replications per variety with 20 plants per replication.

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Strawberry: 'Albion' (top centre) with reference varieties 'Selva' (top), 'Diamante' (centre) and 'Aromas' (bottom)