Lucretia

Strawberry

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Seascape'

Summary: The plants of 'Lucretia' have a semi-upright growth habit whereas the plants of 'Seascape' have an upright growth habit. The plants of 'Lucretia' have strong vigour whereas those of 'Seascape' have medium vigour. The stolons for 'Lucretia' have a medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration whereas those for 'Seascape' have absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration. The difference in the shape of the terminal fruit and other fruit for 'Lucretia' is large whereas it is moderately different for 'Seascape'. The fruit of 'Lucretia' is ovoid with a orange red colour whereas that of 'Seascape' is rhomboid shaped with a medium red colour. Excluding the core, the fruit flesh of 'Lucretia' is light pink whereas that of 'Seascape' is light red.

Description:

PLANT: fully remontant bearing type, semi-uprigth growth habit, medium to dense foliage, strong vigour

STOLON: medium number, medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, sparse pubescence

LEAF: small to medium sized, medium green on upper side, medium degree of blistering, strong glossiness, no variegation
TERMINAL LEAFLET: length is moderately longer than width, obtuse base, serrate to crenate margin, concave shape in cross-section
PETIOLE: medium length, upwards attitude of hairs
STIPULE: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration

FLOWERING: begins early season
INFLORESCENCE: positioned at same level as foliage, many flowers
PEDICEL: horizontal attitude of hairs
FLOWER: calyx same size as corolla, touching petal arrangement, stamens present
PETALS: length is equal to width, white inner side

CALYX: inserted attachment, upwards attitude of sepals, diameter slightly larger than fruit, strong adherence to fruit
FRUIT: begins ripening mid-season, length is moderately longer than width, medium sized, ovoid, large difference in shape between terminal fruit and other fruit, medium width of band without achenes
FRUIT SURFACE: orange red, strong glossiness, slightly uneven colour, even or very slightly uneven surface, achenes positioned level with surface
FRUIT FLESH: firm, light pink, white core, absent or small cavity

Origin & Breeding History: 'Lucretia' originated from a cross made on June 12, 2015 at Sweet Darling Sales, Inc. in Watsonville, California, USA. The cross was conducted between the proprietary varieties 'Taia' (female parent) and 'Wenatchee' (male parent). 'Lucretia' was selected on April 22, 2016 based on the quality and quantity of inflorescence and fruit. Since its selection, asexually reproduced stolons have been tested in California at low and high elevations.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Lucretia' was conducted during the summer of 2019 in Lavaltrie, Quebec. A minimum of 20 bareroot plants per variety were planted in double row raised beds in late April 2019. The raised beds were approximately 25 cm high by 32 cm wide, spaced 1.5 metres apart and covered with white plastic. The plants were spaced 30 cm apart in a staggered pattern. There were 2 replicates. Measured characteristics were taken from 15 plants, or parts of plants.

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Strawberry: 'Lucretia'

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Strawberry: Reference variety 'Seascape'