As part of a research project 13 cultivars were planted in 2005 at 11 sites on 9 farms in 5
different Austrian regions. The aim was to find new cultivars tolerant to soil-borne
pathogens and leaf/fruit diseases, with high yield, winter hardness and good fruit quality, to
serve as alternative to the highly susceptible cultivar ‘Elsanta’, regarding soil-borne
diseases. Plant vigour and infestation with Verticillium dahliae and leaf diseases were
evaluated in 2005 und 2006 at 7 sites and in 2007 at 3 sites.
In addition, following parameters were assessed on 2 organically managed sites in 2006
and 2007: marketable yield, percentage of different categories of unmarketable fruits and
incidence of the blossom weevil. In 2006 fruit characteristics and consumer acceptance
were studied.
‘Elsanta’ showed the highest infestation with V. dahliae whereas ‘Salsa’, ‘Daroyal’ and
‘Alice’ were most tolerant. ‘Dora’, ‘Eva’, ‘Queen Elisa’ and ‘Daroyal’ recorded significantly
higher losses by the blossom weevil than ‘Alice’. ‘Alba’ and ‘Divine’ were the earliest
cultivars in ripening time. Highest marketable yield per plant had the late ripening cultivars,
particularly ‘Salsa’ and ‘Sonata’. Of all early ripening cultivars tested, ‘Elsanta’ showed the
highest productivity, followed by 'Alba', ‘Darselect’, ‘Daroyal’ and ‘Eva’. Regarding fruit
firmness, content of ascorbic acid, shelf life and appearance, ‘Alba’, ’Clery’, ‘Eva’ and
‘Queen Elisa’ were most convincing. The best tasting cultivars were ‘Clery’, ‘Daroyal’ and
‘Divine’.
Summing up all the results, ‘Alba’, ‘Alice’ and ‘Salsa’ can be recommended for organic
production, whereas ‘Clery’, ‘Daroyal’, ‘Darselect’, ‘Elsanta’, ‘Eva’, ‘Queen Elisa’ and
‘Sonata’ are classified as suitable for only a limited extent. ‘Elsanta’, ‘Divine’, ‘Dora’ and
‘Sonata’ are particularly unsuitable for growing in Verticillium infested soils. ‘Divine’, ‘Dora’,
and ‘Record’ cannot be recommended for organic production at all
