Patent Application
20160227687
The strawberry cultivar of this invention is botanically identified as Fragaria×ananassa Duch.
The variety denomination is ‘Cabrillo’.
This invention relates to a new and distinctive day-neutral type cultivar designated as ‘Cabrillo’, which resulted from a cross performed in 2008 between two unreleased germplasm accessions Cal 3.149-8 and Cal 5.206-5.
‘Cabrillo’ was first fruited at the University of California Wolfskill Experimental Orchard, near Winters, Calif. in 2009, where it was selected, originally designated Cal 8.181-1, and propagated asexually by runners. Following selection and during testing the plant of this selection was designated ‘CN236’. With the decision that this plant was to be released, this plant was given the name ‘Cabrillo’ for 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 2010.
‘Cabrillo’ is a day-neutral (ever-bearing) strawberry cultivar similar to ‘Albion’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,228), but with higher yield. It is also similar to ‘San Andreas’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,975), but with higher yield, better flavor, and larger fruit. ‘Cabrillo’ is moderate to strong in expressing the day-neutral character and ‘Cabrillo’ will be of special interest for winter plantings and in summer plantings where ‘San Andreas’, ‘Portola’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,552), and ‘Albion’ have been successful. Fruiting plants of ‘Cabrillo’ are similar in morphology to ‘Albion’ or ‘San Andreas’, although slightly larger and more erect. The fruit shape for ‘Cabrillo’ is typically a short and either symmetrical or slightly flattened conic. It is easily distinguished by fruit shape from ‘Albion’ (long conic), ‘San Andreas’ (long conic with a slight neck) or ‘Portola’ (short and rounded conic). Subjectively, ‘Cabrillo’ has outstanding flavor. The fruit will be exceptional for both fresh market and processing, and will be useful for home garden purposes.
The Figures depict various characteristics of the ‘Cabrillo’ cultivar.
‘Cabrillo’ is typical of day-neutral strawberry cultivars and produces fruit regardless of day length when treated appropriately in arid, subtropical climates. ‘Cabrillo’ is moderate to strong in expressing the day-neutral character, being stronger in flowering response than ‘San Andreas’ and ‘Albion’, and less so than ‘Portola’ or ‘Irvine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,172). ‘Cabrillo’ will be of special interest for winter plantings and in summer plantings where ‘San Andreas’, ‘Portola’, and ‘Albion’ have been successful.
Fruiting plants of ‘Cabrillo’ are similar in morphology to ‘Albion’ or ‘San Andreas’ although slightly larger and much more erect. Comparative statistics for foliar characters near mid-season are given for ‘Cabrillo’ and the three comparison cultivars in Table 1. Individual leaflets for ‘Cabrillo’ are slightly smaller than for the comparison cultivars, and are much more concave. Leaves (including petioles) for ‘Cabrillo’ are slightly shorter than those for the comparison cultivars, mostly due to leaflet size. Petioles are generally thinner than those of the comparison cultivars. The adaxial (upper) and abaxial (lower) surfaces of leaves for ‘Cabrillo’ are similar in color to the comparison cultivars at mid-season.
‘Cabrillo’ is moderately resistant to powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis), and moderately susceptible to Anthracnose crown rot (Colletotrichum acutatum). It is moderately resistant to Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae), Phytophthora crown rot (Phytophthora cactorum) and common leaf spot (Ramularia tulasnei) (Table 2). When treated properly, it has tolerance to two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) equal to that for the comparison cultivars. ‘Cabrillo’ is tolerant to strawberry viruses encountered in California.
Phytophthora
Verticillium
Colletotrichum
‘Cabrillo’ is similar to other California day-neutral cultivars (e. g. ‘San Andreas’ and ‘Albion’) in that it will flower independently of day length, given appropriate temperature and horticultural conditions. Comparative statistics for flower and fruit characters near mid-season are given for ‘Cabrillo’ and the three comparison cultivars in Table 4. The primary flowers for ‘Cabrillo’ are similar in size to the comparison cultivars with a calyx that is distinctly larger relative to the corolla on primary fruit. The calyx for ‘Cabrillo’ varies in position but is usually more indented than for ‘Albion’ or ‘San Andreas’, similar to ‘Portola’. The fruit shape for ‘Cabrillo’ can vary, but is typically a short and either symmetrical or slightly flattened conic. It is easily distinguished by fruit shape from ‘Albion’ (long conic), ‘San Andreas’ (long conic with a slight neck) or ‘Portola’ (short and rounded conic). ‘Cabrillo’ usually has a greater proportion of symmetrical fruit than the comparison cultivars. External fruit color for ‘Cabrillo’ is lighter and has greater shine than that of ‘Albion’ or ‘San Andreas’ and is distinctly darker than that of ‘Portola’. Internal color is somewhat lighter with less red pigment than for ‘Albion’ (Table 3). Achenes vary from yellow to dark red, but are frequently more yellow than the comparison cultivars, and are usually slightly indented.
‘Cabrillo’ has been tested under a variety of cultural regimes, and optimal performance is obtained when nursery treatments and nutritional programs similar to those for ‘Albion’, ‘San Andreas’, and ‘Portola’ are used. In general, ‘Cabrillo’ is more vigorous than the comparison cultivars and is more flexible to planting and chilling treatments. ‘Cabrillo’ retains excellent fruit quality in summer planting systems.
When treated with appropriate planting regimes, ‘Cabrillo’ has larger fruit and produces greater individual-plant yield than any of the comparison cultivars (Table 5). ‘Cabrillo’ has a similar production pattern to ‘Albion’ with most cultural treatments, although it is substantially more adapted to later-season winter planting and spring planting. Commercial appearance ratings have been similar to or better than those for all of the comparison cultivars, especially ‘Portola’; these superior appearance scores translate directly into a larger fraction of marketable fruit than is produced by the comparison cultivars. Fruit for ‘Cabrillo’ is substantially firmer than fruit from the comparison cultivars. Subjectively, ‘Cabrillo’ has outstanding flavor. The fruit will be exceptional for both fresh market and processing, and will be useful for home garden purposes.
