The Elusive Musk Strawberry: A Horticulturist’s Quest
The Promise of a Lost Flavor
In the realm of horticulture, Harry Jan Swartz, a dedicated professor at the University of Maryland, has embarked on an ambitious mission: to resurrect the elusive flavor of the musk strawberry, a fruit beloved by Jane Austen and her contemporaries.
A Historical Delicacy
The musk strawberry, known as Fragaria moschata, was once widely cultivated in Europe from the 16th to the mid-19th centuries. Prized for its intense aroma and unique flavor, it was often mentioned in literature, including Jane Austen’s “Emma,” where it was described as “infinitely superior” to other varieties.
Barriers to Cultivation
Despite its popularity, the musk strawberry faced challenges in commercial cultivation due to its low yield and susceptibility to pests and diseases. Additionally, its unusual pollination requirements and genetic makeup made it difficult to hybridize with modern strawberry varieties.
Swartz’s Quest
Undeterred by these obstacles, Swartz launched a private breeding program in 1998 with the goal of creating a musk strawberry hybrid that combined the desired flavor with the firmness and yield of modern cultivars.
Breeding Strategies
Swartz’s breeding strategies involved crossing musk strawberries with wild and alpine strawberry species, using colchicine to increase the number of chromosomes in the hybrids, and selecting for plants with desirable traits. He deliberately chose challenging growing environments to test the resilience of his hybrids.
The Challenges of Musk Strawberry Breeding
Increasing the size and firmness of the musk strawberry hybrids while preserving their flavor proved to be a delicate balancing act. Strawberry plants produce limited amounts of photosynthates, which they allocate to yield, firmness, or sweetness. Swartz sought to optimize all three qualities, a rare feat in strawberry breeding.
A Decade of Trial and Error
Over a decade of painstaking work, Swartz tasted approximately 100,000 berries, many of them unappetizing, in search of the perfect combination of traits. He meticulously selected seeds from the most promising fruits and grew them into new generations of hybrids.
A Moment of Triumph
After seven years of relentless effort, Swartz finally achieved a breakthrough. He discovered a medium-sized, conical berry with an intense musk strawberry aroma and flavor. This discovery marked a significant milestone in his quest.
Continued Progress
Swartz’s work continued with further crosses and refinements. He identified three musk hybrids with exceptional characteristics and began propagating them for commercial release. He is optimistic about developing a musk hybrid with commercially viable yield, size, and shelf life within the next few years.
The Future of Musk Strawberries
While Swartz’s ultimate goal is to bring the musk strawberry back to the forefront of the fruit market, he acknowledges the challenges of introducing new varieties to consumers accustomed to the bland flavors of modern strawberries. Nonetheless, his passion for the musk strawberry and his unwavering dedication to his craft continue to drive him forward.
