Selection:PRI 0101 

Origin: Fresh Forward, Wageningen, The Netherlands

Planttype: Figaro is a June-bearing cultivar adapted to mild climates in central Europe. It has an erect vigorous growth habit. Typical are the large bright green leaves.

Flowering and harvest period: Figaro produces long inflorescences, which are moderately branched. The number of inflorescences is smaller then for Elsanta. Each flowerstalk has between 6 and 8 flowers. The flowers are of good quality with sufficient pollen and are attractive for pollinators. Only the first primary berries can sometimes be more difficult to pick due to the stiffness of the flowerstalk. Blooming period and harvest period of Figaro are more or less equal to those for Elsanta.

Fruit shape: The main advantage of Figaro is the larger fruit size and the lower incidence of misshapen fruit in comparison to Elsanta. The primary fruits are wedged with a deeper inserted calyx. However, the fruit shape is predominantly long conical.

Fruit quality: An advantage is the typical orange bright red colour. Figaro does not darken very much which makes the variety suitable for summer production. The internal colour is pink red. The strawberries are glossy and have a good taste (higher Brix compared to Elsanta). Figaro is very firm and has a good shelf life.

Production: The yield achieved with fresh plants is on average 20 % lower then with Elsanta. However, fruit size of Figaro is significantly lager (30-60 % higher average fruit weight). Halfway the harvest season fruit size decreases. With cold stored plants it is expected that the yield can be improved as soon as more better guidelines for the nursery of plant material become available.

Pest and disease resistance: Figaro has good tolerance for fruitrot (Botrytis cinerea), is susceptible to crown rot (Phytophthora cactorum) and wilt(Verticillium dahliae), moderately susceptible for powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis) and slightly susceptible for root rot (Rhizoctonia fragariae).

Growing experience: Good results in terms of yield and crop development have been obtained with Figaro as cold stored plant in normal outdoor production. The vigourous growth habit protects Figaro from night frost and from sunburn.

Figaro also performs well as cold stored waiting bed plant (60 day plant). The larger fruit size, the firmness and orange red colour are an advantage for summer production.

Figaro is less suitable for late production in greenhouses and tunnels because it can ripen insufficiently in periods with low light intensity. Also fresh plants of Figaro are less productive in normal outdoor production and in tunnels.