Historic Strawberry Congress Links Nurseries to UC Davis Varieties, Expertise

Representatives of strawberry nurseries from six continents gathered at the first-ever Strawberry Nursery Congress, exchanging information and learning more about the delectable fruit developed by UC Davis and licensed through event co-host Global Plant Genetics.

GPG licenses plants developed by the university’s Strawberry Breeding and Research Program for growers outside the United States, providing a range of varieties suitable for local farmers. 

The congress, held at UC Davis in May, offered information on advances in strawberry breeding, the science behind it, details of intellectual property law governing the licensing of UC Davis varieties, and international supply chains. The four-day event included field trips to strawberry growing regions in California and addressed challenges that growers face in the field.

“The congress lets growers see the new types of strawberries that are being developed and their benefits,” said Thomas Pfeil Hüttner, a representative from Los Olmos nursery in Chile. “Varieties like Moxie and Royal Royce are popular with growers in Chile for their size and taste, so we hope to see similar varieties.”

Every year, farmers in 82 countries plant as many as 1.5 billion strawberry plants developed by UC Davis, and conditions vary widely from farm to farm. Propagators such as Pfeil serve as the crucial link between growers and the scientists developing new and improved varieties. At the congress, they also shared information about which varieties are thriving in different locations. 

The gathering also addressed goals to facilitate communication among researchers, nurseries and farmers, Pfiel said.

“We’ve been working with Davis for over 30 years,” added Aurora Kamami, the deputy director of COVIRO, a nursery in Italy. “This congress is unique and brings a lot of new information about cultivation for our growers. There are presentations on soil management, pesticides and even innovations with lasers for strawberry cultivation.”

Partnerships lead to better berries

Growers in Europe like UC Davis varieties for their aesthetic appeal and ability to adapt to local climates, Kamami noted.

“Some of the most popular strains are Monterey, San Andreas and Albion,” Kamami said. “Certain buyers prefer the size and color of the strawberries, while others focus primarily on the taste.”

Each of those qualities is sought in the UC Davis Strawberry Breeding and Research Program. Team members leverage new discoveries in the genetics underlying qualities such as aroma, yield, disease resistance and shelf life to develop new varieties that address the needs of the industry in California and around the world.

“We are deeply grateful to the partners who have supported the UC Davis Strawberry Breeding Program and helped bring our varieties to growers worldwide,” said Mitchell Feldmann, program director and an assistant professor in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences. “This congress demonstrated what is possible when people with shared goals and a commitment to collaboration come together to create progress.

“These partnerships continue to strengthen our breeding efforts and help us develop strawberry varieties that meet the evolving needs of farmers and consumers,” Feldmann noted.

“What stood out most at the congress was the willingness of everyone involved to contribute, challenge, listen and share,” added Rupert Hargreaves, co-owner of Global Plant Genetics.

Based in Norfolk, England, Global Plant Genetics was selected in 2018 by UC Davis to license strawberries overseas because of the company’s unique knowledge of the strawberry industry and its expertise in plant intellectual property management. The first varieties the company represented as master licensee were released internationally in 2021.

Working with local propagators and the university, GPG manages the licensing of strawberries across South America, Australia, Europe and the Mediterranean. 

The UC Davis Strawberry Breeding and Research Program is housed in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences, within the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Its goal is to develop new, commercially useful varieties of strawberry plants that produce higher-quality berries, are less vulnerable to pests and diseases and can be grown more efficiently. The program also provides education and training for graduate students.

Related links

To learn more about the 2026 Strawberry Nursery Congress and UC Davis strawberry varieties, contact Isaac Rainwater at the UC Davis Technology Transfer Office, [email protected].

Learn more about the UC Davis Plant Variety Licensing Program here.

Learn more about the UC Davis Strawberry Breeding and Research Program here.