Strawberries continue to confirm their position as one of the most dynamic categories in the global fresh produce sector, but the growth of the industry is facing increasingly significant challenges: climate change, production sustainability and new market expectations. In this context, the breeding activity of Nova Siri Genetics is introducing Elyson®, a new strawberry variety developed within its own breeding program.
The new cultivar NSG 48 was presented during an event evening held on March 12, 2026 at the three-Michelin-starred Da Vittorio restaurant in Brusaporto, bringing together growers, nurseries, buyers and industry operators. The choice of a venue that symbolizes Italian gastronomic excellence highlights the focus on quality and product enhancement that characterizes Nova Siri Genetics’ varietal approach.
“The international context shows strong growth in the strawberry category, but also increasingly complex challenges for the supply chain,” explains Carmela Suriano, EMEA Director at Nova Siri Genetics.
“Our breeding activity was created precisely with the aim of responding to these developments, by developing low-chill cultivars able to adapt to mild climates and deliver value to all players in the supply chain, from nurseries to growers and ultimately to the market.”
NSG 48 - Elyson, the new strawberry variety from Nova Siri Genetics
Founded in 2005 in Basilicata, Nova Siri Genetics develops strawberry and berry varieties for the main international production areas characterized by temperate and Mediterranean climates. Its research activity focuses on low-chill cultivars that are resilient to climate change and designed to ensure stable production and consistent quality.
“Our work does not stop at the creation of new varieties,” Suriano continues. “The goal is to provide the supply chain with genetics capable of generating a real competitive advantage and contributing to the enhancement of the category.”
Test tubes with strawberry meristems in the NSG laboratory
From breeding to variety
Each new variety is the result of a structured process of research and experimentation, combining genetic analysis, multi-year agronomic trials and qualitative fruit evaluations.
“The selection process is divided into three main phases,” explains Nicola Tufaro, breeder at Nova Siri Genetics.
“We first evaluate the agronomic aspects of the variety — hardiness, earliness and productivity — and then analyze the fruit’s organoleptic profile, such as the sugar-acid balance, aroma and shelf life. The final step concerns the commercial positioning of the variety within different market segments.”
The selection NSG 48 – Elyson® originated from a crossing program involving parent lines characterized by hardiness, earliness and fruit quality. The experimentation process began in 2020 at Nova Siri Genetics’ research center in Basilicata, within a trial field containing around 20,000 selections.
After four years of agronomic evaluations, sensory analysis and qualitative tests also carried out with independent laboratories, selection NSG 48 was identified as the most promising.
NSG 48 - Elyson strawberry in the field
The characteristics of Elyson®
The new variety stands out for a combination of agronomic and qualitative traits:
- high vegetative vigor
- flowers positioned above the leaf canopy, favoring pollination and harvesting
- early ripening, from the first weeks of January
- high productivity
The fruit features a medium-large size, uniform bright red color, firm and elastic flesh, and an aromatic profile characterized by persistent sweetness, with a sugar content above 11° Brix.
Thanks to the combination of organoleptic quality, visual fruit uniformity and good post-harvest performance, Elyson® is positioned as a variety aimed at the premium segments of the category, with the objective of supporting commercial value-enhancement strategies in markets that are more attentive to quality.
Pots with strawberry plants in cultivation in the NSG laboratory
From research to market
After the launch of the European plant variety protection application with the CPVO, the Elyson® project entered the trial phase in collaboration with nurseries and growers in several Italian and Spanish production areas. At the same time, commercial tests were launched on logistics platforms and wholesale fruit and vegetable markets to evaluate performance throughout the supply chain.
The 2026 season represents a phase of presentation and consolidation of field and market trials, while a broader commercial launch is planned starting from the 2027 campaign.
“A variety is not measured only in the field, but along the entire journey that brings the product to the consumer,” Suriano concludes.
“For this reason, dialogue with growers, wholesalers, buyers and supply chain operators is an integral part of our innovation process.”
