Characterizing Genotypic Heterogeneity of Color Components in Strawberries at Harvest and During Storage

In strawberries, color signals freshness and ripeness. In this study, we characterized color components ( a* , b* , h° , C* , L* ) of fruit skin and calyx for selected strawberry genotypes consisting of 12 cultivars and nine breeding selections grown over two years and evaluated at harvest and after 1 and 2 weeks of refrigerated storage. Fruit skin redness ( a* ) and chroma ( C* ) showed genotype × storage interactions; additionally, some genotypes retained color and others lost redness and became dull. Fruit skin yellowness ( b* ), hue ( h° ), and lightness ( L* ) varied among genotypes regardless of harvest timing or duration in storage. Among genotypes that retained redness and chroma in storage, the cultivars Chandler, Cordial, Earliglow, and Flavorfest, plus three breeding selections, had skin yellowness ( b* ), hue ( h° ), and lightness ( L* ) values in midrange, not extreme, because strawberries with extreme values for these color components can be less attractive at times. Across all genotypes, fruit yellowness ( b* ) declined during storage, although there was no evidence of any changes in either hue ( h° ) or lightness ( L* ). For fruit calyces, the cultivars Allstar, Galletta, and Keepsake plus one breeding selection had calyces with low a* values (less red), high C* values (more vivid), high h° values (more green), and moderate b* (yellow) and L* (lightness) values. Across genotypes, calyx color shifted during storage, with calyces becoming darker ( L* ) and hue ( h° ) transitioning from yellow-green to yellow, while calyces from fruit harvested later in the season became redder ( a* ) postharvest. These findings support breeding efforts for genotypes with superior postharvest color retention and can help growers select cultivars that maintain visual appeal during refrigerated storage, ultimately enhancing consumer satisfaction.