Strawberries have an interesting lineage that many people may be unaware of. The story goes that the humble garden strawberry (fragaria x ananassa) originated from a spontaneous cross between two wild alpine strawberries, fragaria virginiana and fragaria chiloensis in 17th century France. Below we have grown them out in tissue culture to see what they were like.
Originally alpines like vesca were just an appetizing snack on a forest trail walk, but look at where their genes are today, it could almost be as if you are eating an apple.
Strawberries are an octoploid species, and are well known for their wide genetic diversity. They are bred for increased berry size (like above) amongst other traits in our mass-produced food systems.
The elusive, unique strawberry that everyone loves, but that can also be scaled up from farms at profitable high yields remains on every breeder's mind. It is no surprise that strawberries are one of our favorites in CEA, so it could be ripe (sorry for the pun) for picking this market.
Read more at urbanagnews.com