A fresh-market strawberry adapted to forcing culture in Japan with excellent fruit, storage, and shipping quality. Origin: in Kurume Branch of Natl. Res. Inst. Veg. Ornam. Plants and Tea, Japan, by T. Mochizuki, M. Morishita, Y. Noguchi, K. Sone, and O. Yamakawa. Toyonoka × Aiberry; cross made in 1987; selected in 1992 as Kurume No. 52; introd. in 1996. Japanese patent pending. Tree: short-day type; terminal flower bud is differentiated in mid-September under natural conditions in Kurume, a few days later than Toyonoka, the leading variety in forcing culture of western Japan; lateral fruit clusters are formed continuously and plants maintain their size even in midwinter under forcing condition; early yield in forcing culture is 50% to 80% of Toyonoka, while total yield until spring is similar. Susceptible to anthracnose, fusarium wilt and powdery mildew, but symptom severity and spread of powdery mildew is less than Toyonoka under forcing conditions. Adapted to forcing culture from southern Tohoku to Kyushu area, especially for large-scale growers who need labor-saving practices and excellent shipping quality in order to ship long distances to large markets. Fruit: slightly smaller than Toyonoka but larger than Nyohou, the leading variety in forcing culture of eastern Japan; shiny, scarlet skin; uniform conic shape; firmness is ≈20% higher than Toyonoka and Nyohou, thus postharvest handling efficiency and shipping quality for long distance is better than Toyonoka; high sugar and ascorbic acid contents; suitable flesh texture for fresh consumption; not as aromatic as Toyonoka.
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