FRAGARIA GERMPLASM FROM MINNESOTA AND WISCONSIN

Abstract

Introgression of Fragaria vesca, the diploid wild strawberry, and F. × ananassa, the octoploid cultivated strawberry, into octoploid F. virginiana collected from Minnesota and Wisconsin was suggested by gynodioecy and cluster analysis. Nine morphological traits separated collections into two main clusters, one associated with the northern hardwoods, and the other in the prairie-forest floristic province. Under field conditions, wild female clones were rated similarly to check cultivars for fruit set and plant productivity but always significantly higher than wild hermaphrodites, Increases in yield might be gained by selecting female clones for incorporation into a breeding program. Breeders anticipating rapid transfer of traits from the wild might concentrate on collections from the prairie-forest floristic province, since these materials contain F. × ananassa traits. Maximum genetic diversity would be gained using collection from both floristic provinces.