Alicia

Strawberry

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Albion'

Summary: The plants of 'Alicia' have a medium number of stolons whereas the plants of 'Albion' have few stolons. The stolons of 'Alicia' have a weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration and sparse pubescence whereas the stolons of 'Albion' have a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration and dense pubescence. The calyx of 'Alicia' is slightly larger than the diameter of the fruit whereas the calyx of 'Albion' is slightly smaller than the diameter of the fruit. The plants of 'Alicia' begin flowering mid-season whereas the plants of 'Albion' begin flowering late in the season. The fruit of 'Alicia' begin ripening mid-season whereas the fruit of 'Albion' begin ripening late in the season.

Description:

PLANT: spreading growth habit, sparse foliage, weak vigour, fully everbearing

STOLONS: medium number, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, sparse pubescence

LEAF: medium size, medium green on upper side, absent or weak blistering, strong glossiness, no variegation
TERMINAL LEAFLET: length equal to width, acute base, crenate margin, concave shape in cross-section
PETIOLE: short, hairs pointing upwards
STIPULE: weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration

TIME OF BEGINNING OF FLOWERING: mid-season
INFLORESCENCE: positioned at same level as foliage, medium number of flowers, horizontal attitude of hairs on pedicel
FLOWER: calyx diameter larger than corolla, stamens present
PETALS: free arrangement, moderately longer than wide, greenish white on upper side

TIME OF BEGINNING OF FRUIT RIPENING: mid-season
FRUIT: moderately longer than wide, large, cordate, no or very slight difference in shape between terminal and other fruits, absent or very narrow band without achenes
FRUIT SKIN: orange red, weak glossiness, even or very slightly uneven colour, even or very slightly uneven surface
ACHENES: positioned level with fruit surface
CALYX: insertion set below surface of fruit, downwards attitude of sepals, diameter slightly larger than fruit, strong adherence to fruit
FRUIT FLESH: medium firmness, light red, light red core, absent or small cavity

Origin & Breeding History: 'Alicia' (experimental designation '109180') originated from a cross made in 2013 at Sweet Darling Sales, Inc. in Watsonville, California, USA. The cross was conducted between the proprietary, unreleased varieties '105218' (female parent) and '102850' (male parent). 'Alicia' was selected in 2014 based on the quality and quantity of both the inflorescence and fruit. Asexually reproduced stolons have since been tested in California at low and high elevations.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Alicia' was conducted during the summer of 2018 in Lavaltrie, Quebec. A minimum of twenty bareroot plants per variety were planted in double row raised beds in late April 2018. The raised beds were approximately 25 cm high by 32 cm wide and covered with white plastic. The plants were spaced 30 cm from each other in a staggered pattern and the rows were spaced 1.5 metres apart. There were 2 replicates. Measured characteristics were taken from 15 plants, or parts of plants.

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Strawberry: 'Alicia' (left) with reference variety 'Albion' (right)