Due to its sweet and aromatic flavor, nutritional value, and health-associated beneficial compounds, strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) is worldwide cultivated fruit crop. Texas strawberry cultivation is gaining popularity because strawberry production may give considerable economic returns in a relative short period of time. However, profitable strawberry cultivation is intricately tied to selection of suitable cultivars for prevailing environmental conditions. To identify the most appropriate cultivars for a specific region, it is critical to thoroughly evaluate strawberry cultivar growth, yield potential, and various quality characteristics within each diverse agro-climatic location. Hence, to evaluate strawberry cultivars for superior yield and fruit quality characteristics and determine suitable cultivars for cultivation in the region, this study was conducted at the TAMU AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Lubbock, TX. Twenty cultivars (8 day neutral and 12 June bearing) were established Fall of 2022 as bare root plants and data collection began Spring of 2023. Each cultivar was assessed for morphological, physiological, and agronomic traits. Trial results reveal significant variation in performance of evaluated cultivars. Yield and berry number were greatest for ‘Rikas’, ‘Cabrillo’, ‘Brilliance’, ‘Fronteras’, and ‘Beauty’, whereas ‘Keepsake’ was the lowest yielding cultivar and produced the fewest number of fruits. Berry size was greatest for ‘Monterey’, ‘Sweet Ann’, ‘Royal Royce’, ‘Cabrillo’, ‘Valiant’ and ‘San Andreas’, whereas ‘Keepsake’ had the smallest berries. Leaf gas exchange measurements revealed photosynthetic rate and conductance was least for ‘Sierra’. Fruit quality (total soluble solids, °Brix) was greatest for ‘Keepsake’ (11.9°) and lowest for ‘Radiance’ (7.6°). ‘Keepsake’ and ‘Victor’ fruit appeared to be resistant to Botrytis, whereas ‘Festival’ and ‘San Andreas’ were more susceptible. ‘Victor’ plants had the greatest percentage canopy green cover, whereas ‘Medallion’ had the least green canopy cover. Yield and fruit quality data indicate top day-neutral cultivar were ‘Cabrillo’, ‘Rikas’, and ‘Beauty’, while top June-bearing cultivars were ‘Brilliance’ and ‘Fronteras’. Preliminary research suggests cultivars ‘Rikas’, ‘Cabrillo’, ‘Brilliance’, ‘Fronteras’, and ‘Beauty’ may be adapted to the Lubbock area and do well for commercial strawberry cultivation. However, results are based upon data from a single growing season, and further research and analysis of data will confirm results.
