The objective of this study was to evaluate the yield of new short-day strawberry cultivars (Earlibrite, Sabrosa and Florida Festival) and to compare them with cv. 'Camarosa' under soil and climatic conditions of Pelotas (RS) using a low tunnel system using drip irrigation. The strawberry plants originated from the Patagonia Region, Argentina, were transplanted in May 2008. The experiment was arranged in a complete randomized block design in split plots, with four replications. The experimental unit consisted of 42 plants. The number of fruits, yield and fresh fruit mass were recorded weekly from August to December 2008, considering only the fruits that weighed above 5 g without defects. The cultivar 'Sabrosa' provided higher yield than 'Florida Festival' and 'Earlibrite', but lower than 'Camarosa'. 'Sabrosa' and 'Florida Festival' produced larger number of fruits per plant than 'Earlibrite', but smaller than Camarosa. 'Sabrosa' and 'Camarosa' produced higher average fruit fresh mass than 'Florida Festival' and 'Earlibrite'. Although showing different yield performances, the three new cultivars showed high yield potential and, therefore, they can be indicated as new alternatives for the strawberry farmers of Pelotas.
Fragaria x ananassa Duch; harvest period; short-day; yield
