GPG said the event will lead to the more rapid development of new varieties that meet evolving needs
Representatives of strawberry nurseries from six continents gathered at the first-ever Strawberry Nursery Congress, exchanging information and learning more about the varieties developed by UC Davis and licensed through event co-host Global Plant Genetics (GPG).
GPG licenses plants developed by the university’s Strawberry Breeding and Research Programme for growers outside the US, providing a range of varieties suitable for local farmers.
The congress, held at UC Davis in May, offered information on advances in strawberry breeding, the science behind it, details of intellectual property law governing the licensing of UC Davis varieties, and international supply chains. The four-day event included field trips to strawberry growing regions in California and addressed challenges that growers face in the field.
“The congress let growers see the new types of strawberries that are being developed and their benefits,” said Thomas Pfeil Hüttner, a representative from Los Olmos nursery in Chile. “Varieties like Moxie and Royal Royce are popular with growers in Chile for their size and taste, so we hope to see similar varieties.”
Every year, farmers in 82 countries plant as many as 1.5bn strawberry plants developed by UC Davis, and conditions vary widely from farm to farm. Propagators such as Pfeil serve as the crucial link between growers and the scientists developing new and improved varieties. At the congress, they also shared information about which varieties are thriving in different locations.
The gathering also addressed goals to facilitate communication among researchers, nurseries and farmers, Pfiel said.
“We’ve been working with Davis for over 30 years,” added Aurora Kamami, the deputy director of Coviro, a nursery in Italy. “This congress is unique and brings a lot of new information about cultivation for our growers. There are presentations on soil management, pesticides and even innovations with lasers for strawberry cultivation.”
Participants heard presentations about research, both in the lab and in the field. Presenters included Mitchell Feldmann, director of the UC Davis Strawberry Breeding and Research Programme, and Mark Bolda, the strawberry advisor for UC Agriculture and Natural Resources on California’s central coast.
Kamami noted that growers in Europe like UC Davis varieties for their aesthetic appeal and ability to adapt to local climates.
“Some of the most popular strains are Monterey, San Andreas and Albion,” he said. “Certain buyers prefer the size and colour of the strawberries, while others focus primarily on the taste.”
Mitchell Feldmann, programme director and an assistant professor in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences, said the congress demonstrated what is possible when people with shared goals and a commitment to collaboration come together to create progress.
“These partnerships continue to strengthen our breeding efforts and help us develop strawberry varieties that meet the evolving needs of farmers and consumers,” he noted.
“What stood out most at the congress was the willingness of everyone involved to contribute, challenge, listen and share,” added Rupert Hargreaves, co-owner of GPG.
