The current progress in strawberry breeding in China

Cultivated strawberry was introduced in China about 100 years ago. In the early 1950s, strawberry began to be planted as a commercial crop. Researches on strawberry breeding and cultivation technology started shortly later. After slow development, Chinese strawberry production and breeding began to develop faster in the 1980s. ISS2012 provided a new opportunity to Chinese breeders. Nearly 20 public institutions and private companies are engaged in strawberry breeding. They are trying to select better new cultivars to replace the present popular ones. Sweet taste and intense aroma as well as high yield and strong resistance to diseases are the main traits selected in Chinese strawberry breeding programs. According to local climate and the trend of local strawberry industry in different regions, breeders prefer to develop June-bearing cultivar or/and everbearer. Amongst the Chinese cultivars released in recent years, 'Jingzangxiang', 'Jingtaoxiang', 'Pink Princess', 'Yanli', 'Ningyu', 'Yuexin', 'Shimei 7' and 'Sigongzhu' are becoming popular.