SEMI-FORCING CULTIVATION OF 'AKIHIME' STRAWBERRY IN HEILONGJIANG PROVINCE, CHINA

Abstract

The Japanese strawberry cultivar ‘Akihime’ was introduced from Shenyang Agricultural University in 2004. It was cultivated by semi-forcing in cold regions of Heilongjiang province including Haerbin, Shangzhi, Mudanjiang, Suiling and other cities in our experiments from 2005 to 2010. The results showed that the main economical traits of ‘Akihime’ were better than the control cultivar ‘Gorella’, which was the leading cultivar in Heilongjiang province. ‘Akihime’ was stronger and more upright than ‘Gorella’. Its fruit was long conical with excellent flavor and bright color. Its flesh was light red and pith was small. It tasted sweet and aromatic with 10.7% soluble solids, 8.1% soluble sugar, 0.77% titratable acid, and 863.0 mg/kg vitamin C. The average single primary fruit weight was 22.8 g and the largest fruit weight was 42.8 g. Its maximum yield under semi-forcing cultivation could reach 23,713.5 kg/hm2 in cold regions of Heilongjiang province. But ‘Akihime’ was sensitive to powdery mildew and its fruit was relatively soft. ‘Akihime’ ripened 10~15 days earlier than ‘Gorella’ in semi-forcing cultivation. ‘Akihime’ was believed to be an extremely early maturing and high quality cultivar suitable for forcing or semi-forcing cultivation in cold areas of Heilongjiang province in China.