Strawberry plant named `Aromas`

Abstract

`CN209` is a new and distinct cultivar of strawberry plant of the day-neutral type which has larger fruit and produces greater yields than `Selva` or `Seascape` when treated with appropriate planting regimes. Production for `CN209` initiates slightly later than for the comparison cultivars and it produces substantially larger quantities of late-season fruit.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

There are no related applications.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinctive day-neutral type cultivar designated as `CN209` also known as `Aromas`, which resulted from a cross performed in 1991 between advanced selections Cal 87.112-6 and Cal 88.270-1. This cultivar is botanically identified as F..times.ananassa Duch.

`CN209` was first fruited at the University of California Wolfskill Experimental Orchard, near Winters, Calif. in 1992, where it was selected, originally designated Cal 91.248-3, and propagated asexually by runners. Following selection and during testing the plant of this disclosure was designated `CN209`. With the decision that this plant was to be released, it was given the name `Aromas` for the purposes of introduction into commerce and for international registration and recognition. Asexual propagules from this original source have been tested at the Watsonville Strawberry Research Facility, the South Coast Research and Extension Center, and to a limited extent in grower fields starting in 1994.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the general flowering and fruiting characteristics of the plant.

FIG. 2 depicts a typical mature leaf during late spring.

FIG. 3 depicts representative mid-season fruit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

`CN209` is moderate to weak in expressing the day-neutral character, being a stronger day-neutral than `Seascape` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,614), comparable or slightly more day-neutral than `Selva` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,266), and less so than `Fern` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,267) or `Irvine` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,172). The production pattern for `CN209` is similar to that for `Selva` or `Seascape`, and it will be of special interest for winter plantings, where `Selva` and `Seascape` have been successful and summer plantings where `Seascape` has been successful.

Plants and Foliage

Fruiting plants of `CN209` are more erect and usually more vigorous than plants of `Selva` or `Seascape`. With appropriate treatment, `CN209` is a slightly larger plant than `Selva`, and similar in size to `Seascape`. Comparative statistics for foliar characters near mid-season are given for the three cultivars in Table 1. Leaflets are somewhat smaller and more rounded than leaves of `Selva` or `Seascape`. Leaves including petioles are somewhat longer and more narrow than the comparison cultivars. Petioles are thicker and more stiff than those of `Selva` and are similar to those of `Seascape`. `CN209` has variable leaf convexity, generally more concave than leaves of `Selva`, and has fewer and more rounded serrations than the comparison cultivars. The adaxial (upper) leaf surface for `CN209` is darker and more glossy than for the comparison cultivars, whereas the abaxial surface is slightly lighter (Table 2)

Isozymes in Leaf Extracts

`CN209` has been classified for three isozyme systems using starch gel electrophoresis (Table 3): Phosophoglucoisomerase (PGI), Leucine Aminopeptidase (LAP), and Phosphoglucomutase (PGM). It is distinguishable from `Selva` but not from `Seascape` using this methodology. For electrophoretic procedures see: J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 106:684-687.

Disease and Pest Reaction

`CN209` is moderately susceptible to common leaf spot (Ramularia tulasnei) and Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae), relatively resistant to powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis) and Anthracnose crown rot (Colletotrichum acutatum). When treated properly, it has tolerance to two-spotted spidermites (Tetranychus urticae) greater than `Seascape` and `Selva`. `CN209` is tolerant to strawberry viruses encountered in California.

TABLE 1______________________________________Foliar characteristics for `CN209`, `Selva`, and`Seascape`. CultivarFoliarCharacter `Selva` `Seascape` `CN209`______________________________________Mid-tier leafletLength (mm)mean 72.6 72.8 66.3range 65-88 65-82 60-77Width (mm)mean 68.2 64.5 62.8range 51-84 48-78 57-70Mid-tier leafLength (mm)mean 119.2 123.8 125.8range 94-139 80-155 110-143Width (mm)mean 130.1 127.1 120.5range 111-170 108-150 105-134# leaflets/leaf 3 3, rarely 4 3Leaf convexity mostly flat to concave to mostly flat to convex convex, mostly convex flat to convexSerrationsnumber few-moderate moderate moderateshape round to semiround to semipointed semipointed semipointedLeaf moderate moderate moderate topubescence heavyPetiole pubescencedensity heavy mod. to heavy heavydirection perpendicular perp to slight perpendicular acropetal______________________________________

Flowering, Fruiting, Fruit, and Production Characteristics

`CN209` is similar to other California day-neutral cultivars (e. g. `Selva` and `Seascape`) in that it will flower independently of day length, given appropriate temperature and fertility conditions. Comparative statistics for flower and fruit characters near mid-season are given for the three cultivars in Table 4. The primary flowers for `CN209` are similar in size, perhaps slightly larger than `Selva` and `Seascape`; the sepals are somewhat larger than for `Seascape` and substantially larger than for `Selva`. The calyx for `CN209` varies from slightly indented to even, and each primary flower has 5-6 petals. The fruit shape for `CN209` can vary but is typically a short conic, sometimes heart-shaped or slightly flattened, and is easily distinguished from other California day-neutral cultivars. External and internal fruit color for `CN209` are darker than for `Selva` and slightly darker than `Seascape`, and fruit is substantially more glossy than either comparison cultivar (Table 2). Achenes vary but are red to dark red, and are slightly indented.

`CN209` has been tested under a variety of cultural regimes, and optimal performance is obtained when nursery treatments and nutritional programs similar to those for `Selva` and `Seascape` are used. In general, `CN209` is more vigorous than the comparison cultivars but requires similar chilling to insure fruit quality. `CN209` retains good fruit quality in summer planting systems, similar to `Seascape`.

When treated with appropriate planting regimes, `CN209` has larger fruit and produces greater yields than `Selva` or `Seascape` (Table 5). Production for `CN209` initiates slightly later than for the comparison cultivars and it produces substantially larger quantities of late-season fruit. Commercial appearance ratings have been superior to those for the comparison cultivars. Fruit firmness is similar to that for `Selva` and greater than that for `Seascape`. Subjectively, `CN209` has very good flavor, substantially better than `Selva`, and equal to that for `Seascape`. The fruit will be outstanding for both fresh market and processing, and will be useful for home garden purposes.

TABLE 2______________________________________Foliar and fruit color characteristicsfor `CN209`, `Selva`, and `Seascape`Color CultivarCharacter `Selva` `Seascape` `CN209`______________________________________Leaf color (CIELAB)AdaxialL*mean 31.9 29.1 30.3range 30.2-33.7 26.9-32.3 29.6-30.8a*mean -6.5 -5.1 -6.2range -5.8--7.2 -2.4--6.6 -5.5--6.6b*mean 12.7 11.3 11.3range 9.8-15.8 9.5-16.5 10.2-11.9Munsell 2.5G 3/3 2.5GY 4/3 5GY 4/3AbaxialL*mean 48.3 48.3 49.6range 47.2-50.4 47.0-49.6 47.7-50.7a*mean -7.7 -7.2 -7.1range -7.3--8.3 -6.3--8.0 -6.5--7.6b*mean 17.9 18.1 17.6range 16.7-19.4 16.7-19.0 16.2-18.7Munsell 7.5GY 4/4 10GY 4/5 10Y 4/3Fruit color (CIELAB)ExternalL*mean 28.5 25.4 23.3range 23.7-33.1 22.7-31.5 20.8-24.6a*mean 29.7 28.7 25.5range 26.9-31.5 25.4-33.1 21.4-29.1b*mean 16.9 13.7 10.7range 14.4-22.1 9.3-19.8 8.7-12.5Munsell 5R 4/12 5R 3/7 10RP 3/10 5R 4/12InternalL*mean 48.8 45.5 52.4range 44.4-53.1 38.3-55.0 48.0-57.7a*mean 35.2 37.8 33.7range 31.5-39.5 30.8-42.7 24.6-37.2b*mean 29.4 26.9 23.9range 26.9-33.9 21.9-34.2 20.3-27.3Munsell 5R 5/13 7R 5/13 5R 6/11 5R 5/13______________________________________ *CIELAB is the abbreviation of the international color system known as "Commission Internationale De L'Eclairage" 1978. Recommendation on unifor color spaces color difference equations, psychometric color terms, Supplement No. 2 to CIE Publication No. 15. PARIS. TABLE 3______________________________________Isozyme phenotypes for `CN209`, `Selva`, and`Seascape`.Cultivarlocus `Selva` `Seascape` `CN209`______________________________________PGI A2 A4 A4LAP B3 B3 B3PGM C2 C2 C2______________________________________ TABLE 4______________________________________Flower and fruit characters for `CN209`, `Selva`,and `Seascape` CultivarCharacter `Selva` `Seascape` `CN209`______________________________________# petalsmean 5.8 6.1 5.3range 5-8 5-7 5-6Flower even or most even mostly evenposition interior some interior(relative to or exposedfoliage)Calyx diam. (mm)mean 29.0 35.7 37.1range 22-35 30-40 35-40Corolla diam. (mm)mean 37.5 35.7 38.9range 31-43 32-40 36-41Fruit shapelength/widthratio 1.16 1.15 1.19range 1.02-1.25 1.00-1.31 1.07-1.33subjective conic to flat mostly sharp mostly rounded conic conic conicCalyx position even with even/slight slight indent shoulder neckSeed position even/slight slight indent slight indent extrude to slight extrude______________________________________

TABLE 5

Performance of `CN209`, `Selva`, and `Seascape` evaluated at the Watsonville Research Facility in 1995 and 1996

All plants for these trials were harvested from Macdoel on Oct. 16 or 17, and planted with four weeks supplemental storage prior to planting. Harvest was initiated in early April and continued through the first week of Octover. (52" 2-row beds, 17,300 plants/acre, 100 grams/plant=316.3 crates/acre)

______________________________________ Late Yield Yield Appear- Size (g/ (g/ ance (g/Item plant) plant) Score fruit) Firmness______________________________________`Selva` 1,764 389 3.2 24.4 7.3`Seascape` 1,832 375 3.3 24.0 6.9`CN209` 2,094 452 3.6 25.4 7.5______________________________________ Late yield includes harvest from August 20 through October 10.

When `Aromas` is compared to `Diamante` (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 8/747,406, filed Nov. 12, 1996), it is found that `Aromas` forms smaller fruit that is darker in coloration especially on interior fruit, and tends to be more productive.

Claims

1. The new and distinct cultivar of strawberry plant substantially as herein described and illustrated.