Optimus

Optimus is an early season, high-yielding cultivar developed for machine harvesting.

Cultivar name: Optimus (selection code FL08-262)

Recommended for Florida: yes

FL region best adapted to: north-central and central Florida (trials being performed in south-central Florida)

Production system: performs well in the deciduous system; additional data to be gathered for evergreen system

Hydrogen cyanamide: possible; can perform well with a low dose. Trials being performed.

Machine harvestability: Possible; has performed well in machine harvest trials.

Per plant yields (Density 1,452-1,742 plants/acre):

o North-central FL (2015-2021): 4.7 – 17.1 lbs/plant, average 8.41 lbs/plant

o Central FL (2018-2020): 6.5 – 7.0 lbs/plant, average 6.7 lbs/plant

Known disease susceptibility: Rust

Known insect damage susceptibility: none observed to date

Fruit quality data:

o Fruit Firmness: Average 236 g/mm, 219 g/mm (21 days), higher than Emerald, similar to Farthing.

o Berry Weight: 1.5 – 2.1 grams, average 1.7 grams, lower than Emerald

o Berry Diameter: 15.0 – 17.5 mm, average 15.8 mm, smaller than Emerald

o Brix: 10.2 – 13.1, average 12.3, higher than Emerald, similar to Kestrel

o Brix/Acid Ratio: 22.0 – 103.8, average 47.4, better than Emerald

o Fruit Scar: normal (small and dry), similar to Emerald

o Wax/Bloom: high

o Fruit Defects: none observed

o Flavor Score:  24.6 – reference Emerald (19.9), Kestrel (29.2)

o Aroma: none

Cultivars with overlapping timing of flowering:

o North-central FL – Patrecia, Vireo, Magnus

o Central FL – Arcadia, Avanti, Chickadee

Other information: Great early yield potential, fits well with FL window. Very well suited for machine harvest. Good natural early leafing. Mid-sized berry may not be preferred by hand pickers.

License availability: For a list of current nursery licensees in the USA, click here.