Vivaldi

Strawberry

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Sonata'

Summary: The stolons of 'Vivaldi' have a weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration while the stolons of 'Sonata' have a medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The upper side of the leaf of 'Vivaldi' is yellow green with an absent or weak degree of glossiness while the leaf of 'Sonata' is medium green with a medium degree of glossiness. The shape of the base of the terminal leaf for 'Vivaldi' is acute while the shape is obtuse for 'Sonata'. The attitude of the hairs on the pedicel of 'Vivaldi' is upwards whereas the attitude of the hair on the pedicel of 'Sonata' is horizontal. In relation to the corolla, the calyx of 'Vivaldi' is the same size whereas the calyx of 'Sonata' is smaller. The fruit surface of 'Vivaldi' is medium red with a strong degree of glossiness while the fruit surface of 'Sonata' is orange red with a medium degree of glossiness. The fruit of 'Vivaldi' is firm while it is of medium firmness for 'Sonata'. The time of flowering and fruit ripening begins early for 'Vivaldi' while the time of flowering and fruit ripening begins mid-season for 'Sonata'.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit, medium to dense foliage, strong vigour, fruit bearing type is not remontant

STOLONS: many, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, sparse pubescence

PETIOLE: long, attitude of hairs is horizontal
STIPULE: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration
LEAF: medium size, yellow green upper side, absent or weak degree of blistering, absent or weak degree of glossiness on upper side, no variegation
TERMINAL LEAFLET: much longer in relation to width, acute base, serrate margin, concave in cross-section

FLOWERING: begins early
INFLORESCENCE: positioned beneath foliage, medium number of flowers
PEDICEL: attitude of hair is upwards
FLOWER: arrangement of petals is overlapping, calyx equal in size to corolla, stamens present
PETAL: length equal to width, white upper side

CALYX: position of attachment is level with fruit surface, attitude of sepals is outwards, slightly smaller diameter in relation to diameter of fruit, medium strength adherence to fruit
FRUIT: begins ripening early, moderately shorter in relation to width, medium size, conical shape, narrow band without achenes, achenes level with surface, slight difference in shape of terminal fruits compared to other fruit, firm, light red flesh and core, absent or small cavity
FRUIT SURFACE: medium red, even or very slightly uneven colour distribution, even or slightly uneven, strong degree of glossiness

Origin & Breeding History: 'Vivaldi' originated from a controlled cross conducted at Fresh Forward Holding B.V. in Elst, Gelderland, The Netherlands. The cross was made in the spring of 2003 between the selection designated 'E1993-053', as the female parent, and the variety 'Sonata', as the male parent. From the resulting progeny, 'Vivaldi' was selected in the summer of 2005 for its fruit quality, fruit production and ease of harvest in Elst, Gelderland, The Netherlands. After its selection, 'Vivaldi' was propagated by cuttings.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Vivaldi' was conducted as an outdoor trial during the 2016 and 2017 growing seasons at Webster Farms Limited in Cambridge, Nova Scotia. The plots were planted in mid-June 2016 in a RCB Design. There were 20 plants of each variety divided between four replicates. The plants were spaced 0.51 metres apart within rows spaced 1.52 metres apart. The observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants or 10 parts of plants of each variety in 2017.

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Strawberry: 'Vivaldi' (left) with reference variety 'Sonata' (right)