A surge in new soft-fruit varieties from the US is forming the backbone of production in an extended UK season.
The American invasion was in evidence at last week’s Fruit Focus event at East Malling and is largely from states on the eastern seaboard as breeders there concentrate on improved shelf life and enhanced eating quality to meet competition from California.
Harry Swartz has 25 years breeding experience working with the University of Maryland and is part of a joint venture set up in 2003 alongside UK breeder Edward Vinson Plants (EVP), and BerryWorldPlus. Under the arrangement BerryWorld's growers receive five years exclusivity on any new fruit that successfully completes the trans-Atlantic move.
One example Swartz gave was Georgia, an early raspberry he believes is better than Glen Ample, and is now being tested in Spain. Another is Caroline, a late variety that has already usurped Heritage in the US and crops at eight tonnes an acre.
Early primocane variety Jaclyn is also showing promise as is a late-bearing Tulameen hybrid that is exclusive to BerryWorld.
Work is continuing on Josephine - a variety Swartz believes is pointing the way to long-life fruit, which may ultimately be able to be harvested mechanically for the fresh market. Swartz is able to select from a global portfolio through his links with other producers in countries such as Chile. At the same time he is experimenting with raspberry-blackberry crosses, as consumers become more aware of the role of super-fruits that are high in antioxidants,
Meanwhile, Peter Vinson, chairman of has notched up his own notable successes, particularly with strawberries. His first, Evita, was followed by Everest, which two years ago accounted for 70 per cent of everbearer production in the UK. Although this is now in decline, the next generation is here with Evie 2, which has large-sized fruit, exceptional shape and a yield that is potentially higher than Everest.
It has been followed by Evie 3, which is earlier and easier to pick with a lighter colour favoured by the UK over some of the darker US types.
Vinson revealed at Fruit Focus that four selections undergoing full commercial trials will be available in 2008. "There are number of new releases which will provide firmer fruit and more flavour," predicted Vincent.
Swartz even believes there is a niche market for the emergence of distinctly aromatic flavoured hybrids. He has already bred a strawberry with a cinnamon flavour and a golden raspberry with a hint of banana.
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