`Strawberry Festival' Strawberry

Abstract

Additional index words. Fragaria ananassa, fruit breeding Dover, fresh transplants with leaves intact were planted each October through black polyethylene mulch on two-row raised beds. Beds were fumigated with a mixture of methyl bromide (98%) and chloropicrin (trichloronitromethane) (2%) prior to planting. Four plots (10 plants each) of each clone in 1997, 1998, and 1999 were planted in a randomized complete-block design. Plants were spaced 38 cm apart in the row, with 30 cm between rows. Ripe fruit were harvested, graded, counted, and weighed twice a week from December through March. Each season's data were analyzed separately because of planting date and plant source differences among seasons. For sensory analysis, ripe fruit was harvested in the morning, cooled to 2 C, and transported to the Food Science and Human Nutrition Dept. in Gainesville. Trained panelists evaluated samples for color uniformity, flavor intensity, sweetness, and firmness, as described by Sims et al. (1997). Samples were evaluated from three harvest dates (Jan., Feb., and Mar. 1999).