Charlotte

Strawberry

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Mara des Bois' and 'Seascape'

Summary: 'Charlotte' differs from 'Mara des Bois' and 'Seascape' mainly in plant vigour, anthocyanin colouration of the stolon, leaf size, petiole length, fruit size, shape, colour, and position of achenes and size of calyx in relation to corolla. 'Charlotte' has weaker plant vigour than 'Mara des bois' but stronger than 'Seascape'. 'Charlotte' has a medium anthocyanin colouration of the stolon whereas it is weak compared to both reference varieties. The leaves of 'Charlotte' are large whereas they are small for 'Mara des bois' and medium for 'Seascape'. The petiole length in 'Charlotte' is longer than 'Mara des bois' but shorter than 'Seascape'. 'Charlotte' has medium sized, conical, medium red skinned fruits with achenes level with the surface whereas they are small, ovoid, orange red fruits with achenes below the surface for 'Mara des bois' and large conical dark red fruits with achenes below surface for 'Seascape'. For 'Charlotte' the size of the calyx in relation to corolla is larger than for both reference varieties.

Description:

PLANT: semi-upright growth habit, medium to dense density, medium vigour, fully remontant

STOLON: few, medium anthocyanin colouration, sparse pubescence

LEAF: dark green on upper side, large, absent or weak interveinal blistering, medium glossiness, no variegation
TERMINAL LEAFLET: longer than broad length/width ratio, obtuse base, dentate to crenate margin, concave shape in cross section
PETIOLE: medium length, hairs horizontal, weak anthocyanin colouration of stipules

FLOWERING: early
INFLORESCENCE: medium number of flowers, hairs on pedicel pointing slightly outwards
FLOWER: calyx larger than corolla, stamens present
PETALS: overlapping, as long as broad, white

FRUIT: as long as broad, medium sized, conical, slight difference in shape between primary and secondary fruit, absent or very narrow band without achenes, absent or very small cavity
FRUIT SURFACE: weak uneveness of surface, medium red, even or slightly uneven colour, strong glossiness
ACHENES: insertion level with surface of fruit
CALYX: insertion level with surface of fruit, sepal attitude downward, same as fruit diameter, strong adherence to fruit
FRUIT FLESH: medium to firm, light red with light red core
FRUIT HARVEST: early

Origin & Breeding History: 'Charlotte' was created in a breeding program by crossing ' Mara des Bois' by 'CAL 19' in 1995 at the CIREF station, Nébouts at Lanxade, France. The selection of the variety 'Charlotte' was based on the following criteria: everbearing, which allows a consistent production during the year; fruits of good quality for the consumer; vigour and hardiness; disease tolerance to reduce the inputs and a consistent and distinctive tastefulness that distinguishes itself on the market.

Tests & Trials: The trials were performed during the summer of 2008 in Lavaltrie, Québec. There were 100 plants of each variety, each spaced 30 cm apart within the row and with rows that were spaced 130 cm apart.

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Strawberry: Candidate variety, 'Charlotte'

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Strawberry: Reference variety, 'Mara des Bois'

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Strawberry: Reference variety, 'Seascape'