Did you know that ARS
once saved the strawberry
NNeeww AARRSS
industry? In the 1950s, ARS
released the first varieties that
SSttrraawwbbeerrrryy iiss
could survive red stele, a root-
rotting fungus. Since then, ARS
““KKeeeeppssaakkee””
aa has bred and released dozens
of strawberry cultivars that
can stand up to the many
challenges growers face—
such as insects, diseases, short
growing seasons, and the rigors
of harvest and transport. One of
the latest strawberry releases is
“Keepsake,” a variety from ARS’s
Genetic Improvement of Fruits
and Vegetables Laboratory,
in Beltsville, MD, bred to have
improved shelf life.
Keepsake does well in cold
storage and is firm enough for
handling during harvest and
packaging. It can be harvested
as early as May, and the good-
sized berries are sweet and
juicy. Keepsake is resistant to
anthracnose fruit rot, one of the
most serious fruit rots world-
wide. This berry should perform
well in the Mid-Atlantic and
Northeast areas of the United
States. Keepsake is a close
relative of “Flavorfest,” another
ARS standout strawberry with
superior disease resistance,
yield, flavor, and postharvest
quality. Look for Keepsake
strawberries in your local farm
stand or pick-your-own farm
soon!
Agricultural
Research
Service
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