This study was conducted during 1999/2000 and 2000/2001 seasons to
produce some new strawberry hybrids from the specific hybridization between the two
octaploid species Fragaria chiloensis and Fragaria virginiana. Twelve new released
strawberry hybrids and their parents were evaluated according to plant grow1h. hybrid
yield performance and fruit physical characteristics and their heterosis. Results
showed that significant increment in number of leaves/plant was obtained from all
hybrids. Moreover, most 0 f t he hybrids showed positive heterosis except A4 which
had no heterosis for this trait. A1 and 812 hybrids had the highest crown diameter
compared with all tested hybrids in the two seasons and all the hybrids showed
negative heterosis except 812 in the two tested seasons and A 1 in the first season.
Concerning earliness.86 recorded the least number of days for flowering followed by
A1. A3, A4, 85, 89 and P2. All the hybrids exhibited positive heterosls for earliness
trait except 86 which had heterotic effect over the best parent in the second seasons.
89 and 812 hybrids recorded the highest early yield as compared with all tested
hybrids in the two tested seasons. Also 89 and 812 had the positive significant
heterosis over the best parent in both experimental seasons. While the rest of hybrids
had negative heterosis. 89 and 812 hybrids gave the highest total yield in both
seasons in addition to 85 in the second year only. On the other hand, 89 had the
highest positive heterosis followed by 812 and 85. 86 hybrid exhibited the highest
average fruit weight as compared with all hybrids in the two tested seasons. All the
hybrids showed negative heterosis for average fruit weight except the hybrid 86 which
had a positive heterosis in both tested seasons. A2 and 89 hybrids gave the highest
values of fruit firmness. All hybrids exhibited negative heterosis for fruit firmness in the
two seasons except for the hybrid A2 which showed no heterosis for this trait in the
first season.