Field Performance of June Yellows-affected Clones of `Blomidon' Strawberry

Abstract

Clones of `Blomidon' strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) exhibiting a range of June yellows symptoms were grown in field plots to measure effects on productivity and fruit characteristics. Self-pollinated seedlings grown from these clones were evaluated for symptom expression as an additional measure of severity of June yellows. Large differences in yields were recorded among clones, ranging from 1.9 to 14.7 t·ha–1 in 1994 and 8.4 to 28.3 t·ha–1 in 1995. Clones with severe symptoms produced smaller fruit than clones with slight symptoms in 1994 but not in 1995. Small differences existed for the titratable acidity of the fruit but not for soluble solids concentration. The frequency of normal green seedlings among selfed progeny ranged from 48% to 98% and was negatively correlated with symptom severity ratings of the parent clones. Severity ratings and selfed seedling abnormality rates were good predictors of fruit yield. No clones of `Blomidon' were free of June yellows.