A HIGH-YIELDING, disease-resistant and delicious new strawberry variety was unveiled at the EKKA, on top of their famous strawberry sundaes.
The new subtropical strawberry variety, Stella-ASBP, was developed by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) and Hort Innovation’s Australian Strawberry Breeding Program.
Stella-ASBP’s strengths include its resistance to red leaf disorder, ensuring healthier and more robust plants.
Its high yield promises an abundant supply of delicious strawberries and it has rated highly in consumer testing.
The Stella-ASBP strawberry is named in honor of the late Stella Young, a renowned journalist, disability activist and comedian, who passed away in 2014. The name celebrates her legacy and contributions to Australian society.
Minister for Agricultural Mark Furner said DAF-bred strawberry varieties now account for 85% of strawberries grown in Queensland and more than 50% nationally.
“The continuous development and improvement of our varieties ensures more robust plants with better yields and more supply, so everyone can continue to enjoy strawberries year-round,” he said.
“Queensland strawberry growers produce 42% of Australia’s strawberries, contributing $180 million for the Queensland economy.”
Stella ASBP has large fruit, high yield and a high flavor rating which arms growers with a variety that produces an incredible volume of strawberries.
In recent years, the Australian Strawberry Breeding Program has named its new varieties after accomplished, talented, and remarkable Australians, including Olympic athletes Susie O’Neill and Tahli Gill, and renowned classical pianist Tamara-Anna Cislowska.
