The HDC has announced the results of a 60-day strawberry trial.

The varieties were planted on two commercial sites, Staffordshire and Kent, in the summer of last year. Fifteen varieties were included, with Elsanta and Florence as controls.

HDC reported: “At the 60-day harvest stage, the varieties in this trial displayed a wide range of characteristics, with several showing distinct promise. There are a number of varieties which stand comparison with Elsanta in terms of yoeld and quality as sixty-day crops.”

It said that Antea, EM 1008, EM 1276, EM 1144, Figaro and EM 1324 all compared well for yield and quality with Elsanta. However it also cautioned that no firm conclusions should be drawn on this evidence alone.

In terms of plant vigour, Daroyal came out tops, along with EM1276 and Florence. The sweetest was EM 1008, with a Mean Brix score of 9,2. Figaro also scored a 9. Least sweet was EM 1119, with a rating of just 5.

Shelf-life champions were Figaro and EM 1144, both scoring top marks, with Daroyal scoring most poorly. Firmest was Antea, with most others scoring good marks in this category.

As for yield, Isaura commanded the group with a massive 18.6g average berry weight. Elsanta (14g) and Figaro (15,6g) also performed well. Smaller-berry fruits included Darlisette, Manille and Daroyal, all weighing-in around 8g, whilst most of the others tended around the 12g mark.

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