The state of California has almost perfect growing conditions for strawberries in three principal areas along the coast: Oxnard (2,400 hectares), Santa Maria (4600 hectares) and Watsonville (5,150 hectares) totaling 12,150 hectares.
The Californian Strawberry Commission offers support to growers, press, researchers and more. The California Strawberry Commission also supports the breeding efforts of the University of California, Davis and has done so for fifty years. This long-lasting relationship has achieved many great things in a number of directions. One principal function is the sharing of industry information and trends. This up-to-date information collated by the Commission and shared with the industry and of course, the University of California, has allowed the breeders the opportunity to focus on today’s industry requirements through an ever-changing landscape.
Global Plant Genetics is the International Master License holder for the new UC Davis strawberry genetics. In recent times, UC Davis has launched five new varieties, UCD Victor, UCD Warrior both short day types and UCD Royal Royce, UCD Valiant and UCD Moxie. Some sources claim that these five new varieties are about to set a new standard in the short day and day neutral market.
Outside of the US, many other strawberry growing industries will also be able to reap the benefits of the abovementioned research. There are license holders for these new varieties in place in the EU, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Australia and Latin America. These will all be launching these new varieties over the coming months.
Source: globalplantgenetics.com
