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Parentage
Sophie (EM341) was raised in 1987 from the cross (Hapil x
Streamliner) x Kent.
Fruit Quality
The berries have a regular conical shape and dark red colour,
similar to Honeoye. The flesh is moderately firm but the skin can be
slightly soft in hot weather when the berries will show bruising if
not handled carefully.
Yield and Fruit Size
In trials at East Malling and Brogdale the class 1 yield was
consistently higher than Bogota and usually above Elsanta. The highest
proportion of fruit falls in the medium size category (25-35mm) and
there are fewer large berries (>35mm) than for Elsanta, but average
size is greater than for Bogota.
Season
At least two weeks later than Elsanta for 50% harvest, thus giving
little overlap.
Marketing Suitability
Sophie is a very late dessert type with superior fruit quality to
Bogota. The fruit is softer and darker than Elsanta and consequently
has shorter shelf life. Sophie is likely to be popular for
pick-your-own and farm shop marketing where it offers a useful
extension to the season.
Plant Characteristics
Plants are very vigorous with rather floppy habit but the fruit is
reasonably well displayed on long stems and easier to harvest than
Pandora. Runner production is very good.
Disease Resistance
Sophie is susceptible to powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis)
and the common soil-borne diseases, so a spray programme equivalent to
that used for Elsanta is recommended. The flowering period of Sophie
usually coincides with high populations of blossom weevils (Anthonomus
rubi) and a large number of flowers may be lost if the plants are not
sprayed to control this pest.
Use of the Variety
Sophie is seen as an alternative to Pandora. It has the advantages
of being self fertile, with a more manageable habit. The berries are
slightly firmer than Pandora, with a very regular shape, but the
colour is darker.
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).
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