New strawberries from the AAFC breeding program at Kentville

Following 'Mira', the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada strawberry breeding program at Kentville introduced 'Sable' and 'Cabot' in 1998, and 'Brunswick' and 'Evangeline' in 1999. 'Sable' ripens in the early season and is more productive than 'Veestar' with larger berries (10-12g seasonal mean). Flavour has been rated highly. Plants are very vigorous and broadly resistant to Phytophthora fragariae. 'Sable' is primarly suited to pick-your-own and is not firm enough for distant shipping. 'Cabot' ripens in the late midseason, beginning at the same time as 'Mira', and is noted for its very large berries (20-24g). Primary fruit are often 50-60g and somewhat rough in shape. The flesh of 'Cabot' is firm and the skin strength is medium. Plants are large, resistant to P. fragariae, and they produce low to moderate numbers of runners. 'Brunswick' is a midseason selection that ripens with 'Cavendish'. Fruit are large (13-15g) and more uniform in shape and colour than 'Cavendish'. Berries are higher in acid than for 'Cavendish'. 'Brunswick' has performed well in continental areas with cold winters and may be a replacement for 'Glooscap'. Plants are resistant to P. fragariae but susceptible to P. cactorum crown rot. 'Evangeline' ripens in the early season and produces its berries on stiff, erect flower stalks. Berries are conic to long conic in shape and similar in size to 'Sable'. When fully ripe, the flavour is rated as good to very good. Berries are firm and will compete directly with 'Annapolis' for the early fresh market. 'Evangeline' is susceptible to P. fragariae but resistant to Sphaerotheca macularis.