In the Field: Oxnard, California
New UC Davis Strawberry Varieties Shine at Oxnard Field Day
A crowd gathered for the much-anticipated Short-Day Strawberry Field Day hosted by the University of California, Davis Strawberry Breeding Programme. The event, held in the heart of California’s strawberry-growing region, spotlighted two new short day varieties: UC Surfline and UC Monarch.
These latest innovations are the work of Professor Steve Knapp and his team at UC Davis, whose breeding efforts continue to shape the future of the short-day strawberry market. For years, this market has been led by older varieties like Fronteras, but newer contenders such as UCD Víctor have gained traction thanks to their high productivity, consistent quality, and excellent shelf life.
Now, UC Surfline and UC Monarch promise to further elevate industry standards – offering growers disease resistance, improved shelf life, and higher yields.
UC Surfline: A Strong Start to the Season
UC Surfline is an early-season short-day variety that delivers firm fruit and high early yields, with harvests extending well into the season. It boasts impressive post-harvest qualities and strong resistance to key diseases, including Phytophthora and Fusarium, with moderate resistance to Neopestalotiopsis. In field trials, both yield and fruit firmness exceeded that of Fronteras.
“UC Surfline stands out as a highly competitive variety due to its strong resistance to important diseases such as Neopestalotiopsis, Fusarium, and Phytophthora. It also delivers excellent yields, making it a very attractive option for growers seeking both sustainability and productivity.”
— Kelly Mendoza, Commercial Director at Fresa Fortaleza, Master License Holder – Mexico
UC Monarch: Performance Across the Season
UC Monarch delivers not only early yields but also robust performance throughout the full season. Its fruit is firm, flavourful, and offers a long shelf life with enhanced aroma. This variety is resistant to Neopestalotiopsis and Fusarium, and moderately resistant to Phytophthora and Verticillium. It is well-suited for both mechanical harvest and substrate culture systems, making it an ideal choice for modern strawberry production.
“UC Monarch is a short-day variety that has shown outstanding performance in coastal regions like San Quintín, Baja California. In line with the UC Davis standard, it offers exceptional flavor and strong resistance to diseases such as Neopestalotiopsis. In an ever-changing agricultural landscape, varieties like UC Monarch provide growers with confidence, stability, and added value.”
— Kelly Mendoza, Commercial Director at Fresa Fortaleza, Master License Holder – Mexico
Looking Ahead
Both UC Surfline and UC Monarch are now licensed to nurseries internationally. While initial plant volumes are limited, production is ramping up to meet growing demand. These two new additions signal a bright future for the short-day segment, bringing innovation, resilience, and improved fruit quality to growers around the globe.
