Variation in leaf photosynthetic rates and yield in strawberries

SummaryVariability in CO2 assimilation rate (A) was measured in seven cultivars on five dates and three cultural systems using the stability analysis of Finlay and Wilkinson. The regression coefficient (b) of net photosynthetic rates was significantly correlated (r = 0.75) with yield, even though mean A was not. The highest yielding cultivars had b>l, suggesting that they did better than lower yielding genotypes in environments favouring high A. Most cultivars had significantly higher A on double hills than in ribbons or matted rows, and were photo- synthetically more active when producing fruit and runners than at anthesis.