AAC Audrey

Strawberry

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'AAC Lila' and 'Mira'

Summary: The stolon of 'AAC Audrey' has a weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration while the stolon of 'AAC Lila' has a strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The base of the terminal leaflet of 'AAC Audrey' is acute while that of 'AAC Lila' is obtuse. The flower of 'AAC Audrey' is smaller in diameter than the flower of 'AAC Lila'. The calyx of 'AAC Audrey' is smaller than the corolla while the calyx of 'Mira' is the same size as the corolla. The fruit of 'AAC Audrey' is conical in shape while the fruit of 'AAC Lila' is long conic in shape and that of 'Mira' is globose. The fruit of 'AAC Audrey' is medium red while the fruit of 'Mira' is orange red. The fruit of 'AAC Audrey' has an absent or very narrow band without achenes while the fruit of 'AAC Lila' has a broad band without achenes and the fruit of 'Mira' has a very broad band without achenes. The position of the calyx attachment on the fruit of 'AAC Audrey' is level with the fruit while it is raised on the reference varieties. The sepals on the fruit of 'AAC Audrey' have an outwards attitude while the sepals of the reference varieties have an upwards attitude.

Description:

PLANT: not remontant type bearing, semi-upright growth habit, medium density foliage, medium vigour
STOLONS: medium number, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, sparse pubescence

PETIOLE: long, horizontal attitude of hairs
STIPULE: strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration
LEAF: medium sized, medium green upper side, medium degree of blistering, absent or weak glossiness, no variegation
TERMINAL LEAFLET: much longer than wide, acute base, serrate to crenate margin, concave in cross-section

FLOWERING: begins mid-season
INFLORESCENCE: predominantly positioned at same level as foliage, medium number of flowers
PEDICEL: horizontal attitude of hairs
FLOWER: calyx smaller than corolla, free and touching petal arrangement, stamen present
PETAL: equal in length and width, white upper side

CALYX: attachment level with fruit, diameter slightly larger than fruit, outwards attitude of sepals, weak adherence to fruit
FRUIT: begins ripening mid-season, moderately longer than wide, medium sized, conical shape, none or very slight to slight difference in shape between terminal fruit and other fruit, firm, absent or small cavity
FRUIT SURFACE: medium red, even or very slightly uneven colour distribution, medium glossiness, even or very slightly uneven, absent or very narrow band without achenes, achenes positioned at level with surface
FRUIT FLESH: dark red, light red core

Origin & Breeding History: 'AAC Audrey' (experimental designation K13-11) originated from a cross conducted in the winter of 2012 in a greenhouse at the Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Kentville Research and Development Centre, Kentville, Nova Scotia. The cross was made between the female parent line K04-21 and the male parent variety 'AAC Lila'. A single plant was selected for asexual propagation via stolons in the spring of 2013 from a seedling field in Sheffields Mills, Kings County, Nova Scotia. 'AAC Audrey' was selected based on time of ripening, fruit size and fruit flavour.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'AAC Audrey' was conducted at the Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Kentville Research and Development Centre, Kentville, Nova Scotia in a greenhouse in 2021. The plants were grown in individual 15cm pots on wire mesh benches. There were 10 rows of 3 plants for a total of 30 plants per variety. Plants were spaced 30 cm apart with 60 cm spacing between varieties. Measurements were taken from a minimum of 18 plants or parts of 18 plants of each variety. Mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on a Student's T-test.

Comparison table for 'AAC Audrey' with reference varieties 'AAC Lila' and 'Mira'

Flower diameter (cm)

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Strawberry: 'AAC Audrey' (bottom centre) with reference varieties 'AAC Lila' (bottom right) and 'Mira' (top centre)

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Strawberry: 'AAC Audrey' (top) with reference varieties 'AAC Lila' (centre) and 'Mira' (bottom)

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Strawberry: 'AAC Audrey' (top) with reference varieties 'AAC Lila' (centre) and 'Mira' (bottom)