Breeder's Description

Saint Pierre

June Bearer
1-2 days before Bounty

Head Licence and Worldwide (excl USA & Canada) Marketing Rights held by MEIOSIS UK
Launch - 2001
Bred by Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
Swiss PVR Grant No. 04.1716
EU PVR Grant No. EU13338
PVR Applied for: Canada No. 99-1862
Patent Applied for: Hungary No P0200965

Parentage

Saint Pierre is a progeny from a cross between “Chandler” and “Jewel” made in 1989 by Dr. S Khanizadeh. It was tested as SJ89264-6.

Fruit Quality

Saint Pierre produces attractive and very large, light red, shiny fruit and light yellowish red, especially in light soil. The fruit shape is conical neck. The flesh is light red throughout and firm. Fresh fruit stores well for up to 5 days at room temperature.

Yield

Saint Pierre produced lower yields than Kent.

Plant Characteristics

Plants are vigorous and have an upright growing habit, producing 2-5 inflorescences per crown. They can tolerate winter temperatures below –30ºC (with 10cm straw mulch cover). Petioles are 10-15cm long.

Disease Resistance

Some symptoms of powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis) have been noted on Saint Pierre plants since observations began in 1990, especially during high humidity. Plants are susceptibility to red core (Phytophthora fragariae). Saint Pierre had the same level of tolerance to leaf scorch, leaf blight and leaf spot as Honeoye.

Use of the Variety

Saint Pierre is useful where there is a need to store fruit for transportation. Plants perform very well in sandy soil and they are also adapted to growing in compact or heavy soil.