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Parentage
Fenella (formerly EM1308) was bred at East Malling Research from a
cross between two numbered seedlings, EM931 x EM972 and was first
selected in 2001.
Season
In the main-crop year fruit is produced at a similar time to
Florence.
Fruit Quality
Attractive, glossy, bright orange/red berries with uniform blunt
conic shape. Good sweet flavor with juicy texture. Berries have a
waxy skin with good skin strength and hold well both on the plant
and in store. Brix and shelf life are similar to Elsanta.
Yield and Fruit Size
Similar yield potential to Florence and good Class 1 percentages.
Uncovered sites also show good production levels. 60-day yields have
been moderate to low. Fruit size is larger than Elsanta.
Marketing Suitability
The fruit is suited to most market outlets. Fenella has been
generally liked by supermarkets due to the attractive appearance,
good fruit shape, size and colour. The distinctive, sweet flavour
also scored highly.
Plant Characteristics
Leafy, lush vigorous plant with compact, upright habit and long
trusses resulting in a good fruit display and easy pick.
Disease Resistance
Good resistance to Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae) and
crown rot (Phytophthora cactorum). Susceptible to powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca
macularis) but not considered a problem in trials to-date.
Use of the Variety
The later season, vigorous growth habit, disease resistance to
Verticillium wilt and crown rot make Fenella a good choice for less
intensive growing systems. In addition the berries rain tolerance
allows for more reliable outdoor production. With good maincrop
yields, a pleasant flavour and attractive lighter skin colour than
Florence, Fenella has a bright future for sales into most markets.
Accreditations
The breeding of this variety was jointly funded by the
Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra),
MEIOSIS Ltd. and the East Malling Trust for Horticultural Research.
The trialling of this variety was funded by MEIOSIS Ltd
and the Horticultural Development Council
(HDC). |
