Patent Grant
PP17864
Botanical designation: Fragaria ananassa.
Variety denomination: ‘BG-959’.
The present invention relates to a new and distinct short-day strawberry variety designated as ‘BG959’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made by the Inventors, Steven D. Nelson, Michael D. Nelson and Lee W. Stoeckle, in 1996 between ‘Camarosa’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,708) and ‘PS-1269’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,686). The variety is botanically known as Fragaria ananassa.
The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was asexually propagated by stolons in a nursery located in Siskiyou County, Calif., and was subsequently selected by the Inventors from a controlled breeding plot near Oxnard, Calif. in 1998. After its selection, the new variety was further asexually propagated by stolons in both Siskiyou County, Calif. and San Joaquin County, Calif. The new variety was extensively tested over the next several years in fruiting fields near Oxnard, Calif. This propagation has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein as characterizing the new variety are fixed and remain true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.
‘BG-959’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the southern coast of California. This region provides the necessary winter temperatures required for it to produce a strong vigorous plant and to remain in fruit production from January through June. The nearby Pacific Ocean provides the needed humidity and moderate temperatures to maintain fruit quality during the winter and spring production months.
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘BG-959’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘BG-959’ as a new and distinct cultivar:
The varieties that are believed to be most closely related to ‘BG-959’ are ‘BG-269’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,628) and parental cultivar ‘Camarosa’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,708).
In comparison to the similar varieties ‘BG-269’ and ‘Camarosa’, ‘BG-959’ differs by the following combination of characteristics as described in Table 1:
For identification a series of molecular markers have been determined for this new variety.
The accompanying color photographs show typical specimens of the new variety ‘BG-959’ at various stages of development as true as is reasonably possible with color reproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the botanical description which accurately describe the color of ‘BG-959’. The depicted plant and plant parts were taken from Oxnard, Calif. and are approximately 5 to 6 months old:
The following description of ‘BG-959’ unless otherwise noted, is based on observations taken during the 2003 growing season in Oxnard, Calif. These measurements and ratings were taken from plants dug from a high-elevation nursery located in Siskiyou County, Calif. during the first week of October 2002 and planted 5 days later in Oxnard, Calif. The approximate age of the observed plants is 5 to 6 months. Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from four years of data collected from the 2001 through the 2004 growing seasons. The characteristics of the new variety may vary in detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type and location. ‘BG-959’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Color terminology follows the Munsell Book of Colors, Munsell Color, Baltimore, Md. (1976).
Tables 2, 3 and 4 describe fruit, fruit production and fruit quality characteristics of ‘BG-959’. Characteristics are taken from secondary fruit on a first year planting.
Table 5 describes plant characteristics of ‘BG-959’. Characteristics are taken from a fully mature mid season plant.
Table 6 describes foliage characteristics of ‘BG-959’. Characteristics are taken from a fully mature tri-foliate during mid season.
Table 7 describes inflorescence and flower characteristics of ‘GB-959’. Inflorescence characteristics are taken from a fully mature plant while flower characteristics are taken from a secondary flower during mid season.
This new variety may not be resistant to any of the known insects, diseases or viruses common in California. It is known to be tolerant to the two-spotted spider mite, aphid and flower thrips when treated properly. It is also known to be moderately tolerant to grey fruit mold, powdery mildew and susceptible to angular leaf spot. The susceptibility of the new variety to any of the virus complexes of California has not been determined.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20060230479 P1 | Oct 2006 | US |
