Strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’, particularly selected for the size, firmness, juiciness, shelf life, and shipping capability of its fruit, as well as its volume of production and moderate resistance to two-spotted spider mite, is disclosed.

Description

Latin name:

Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed variety of strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that is grown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 18^th century by crossing Fragaria virginiana with Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessory fruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from the receptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, season of ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certain varieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development of their reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appear hermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female. Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involves propagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare root plants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. During the off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright red color, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is a popular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in prepared foods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, there is a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, there is a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to an improved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ originated from a controlled cross between the proprietary female parent ‘88T205’ (unpatented) and the proprietary male parent ‘107S 60’ (unpatented). Progeny plants from this cross, including ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’, were asexually propagated via stolons in Shasta County, Calif. in the summer of 2012. Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ was later specifically identified and selected in Santa Barbara County, Calif. in May of 2013.

‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons, and has undergone testing at test plots in Tapalpa, Mexico and Purepero, Mexico for five years (2015 to 2020). The present variety has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations via stolons and tissue culture.

‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ was particularly selected for the size, firmness, juiciness, shelf life, and shipping capability of its fruit, as well as its volume of production and moderate resistance to two-spotted spider mite.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Unless otherwise indicated, the photographs are of plants that are six months old.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’.

FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal sections of fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’.

FIG. 3 illustrates the upper surface (top row) and lower surface (bottom row) of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’.

FIG. 4 illustrates the upper surface (top) and lower surface (bottom) of leaves of variety ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’.

FIG. 5 illustrates a view of whole plants of variety ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’.

FIG. 6 illustrates another view of whole plants of variety ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Tapalpa, Mexico and Purepero, Mexico from 2015 to 2020. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ was taken from plants that were six months old. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2015 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^nd edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

• Classification:
  • • Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.
    • Common name.—Strawberry.
    • Denomination.—‘DrisStrawEightyNine’.
• Parentage:
  • • Female parent.—Proprietary strawberry plant ‘88T205’ (unpatented).
    • Male parent.—Proprietary strawberry plant ‘107S 60’ (unpatented).
• Plant:
  • • Height.—18 cm.
    • Diameter.—47 cm.
    • Number of crowns per plant.—5.
    • Growth habit.—Semi-upright.
    • Density of foliage.—Medium.
    • Vigor.—Medium.
• Stolon:
  • • Number of daughter plants per square foot.—2.
    • Diameter at bract.—3.8 mm.
    • Anthocyanin coloration.—Weak.
    • Anthocyanin color when present.—RHS 39B (Deep yellowish pink).
    • Density of pubescence.—Medium.
    • Length.—25.4 cm.
    • Overall color.—RHS 144A (Strong yellow green).
• Leaf:
  • • Number of leaflets.—Three only.
    • Color of leaf upper surface.—RHS NN137A (Greyish olive green).
    • Color of lower surface.—RHS 137D (Moderate yellowish green).
    • Blistering.—Medium.
    • Glossiness.—Medium.
    • Variegation.—Absent.
    • Leaf length.—10.2 cm.
    • Leaf width.—6.7 cm.
    • Terminal leaflet.—Length: 8.4 cm. Width: 6.3 cm. Length/width ratio: 1.3. Number of teeth per terminal leaflet: 20. Shape of base: Obtuse. Shape of apex: Rounded. Margin: Serrate to crenate. Shape in cross section: Concave.
    • Petiole.—Length: 15.8 cm. Diameter: 3.3 mm. Attitude of hairs: Slightly outwards. Bract frequency (number present on each petiole): 2. Color: RHS 144C (Strong yellow green).
    • Petiolule.—Length: 6 mm. Diameter: 1.7 mm. Color: RHS 144C (Strong yellow green).
    • Stipule.—Length: 4.0 cm. Width: 13 mm. Anthocyanin coloration: Weak. Anthocyanin color: RHS 52C (Deep pink). Overall color: RHS 145A (Strong yellow green).
• Inflorescence:
  • • Number of flowers per plant.—20.
    • Position of inflorescence in relation to foliage.—Same level.
    • Pedicel.—Length: 9.9 cm. Color: RHS 144C (Strong yellow green). Attitude of hairs: Slightly outwards.
    • Flower.—Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on non-flattened flower): 21 mm. Arrangement of petals: Overlapping. Size of calyx in relation to corolla: Larger. Stamen: Present.
    • Petal.—Length: 12 mm. Width: 12 mm. Length/width ratio: 1.0. Number of petals per flower: 6. Color of upper side: RHS NN155C (White). Color of lower side: RHS NN155C (White). Overall shape: Orbicular. Base shape: Concavo-convex. Apex shape: Rounded. Margin type: Smooth.
    • Calyx.—Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of flower): 59 mm.
    • Sepal.—Length: 25 mm. Width: 12 mm. Number of sepals per flower: 11. Color of upper side: RHS 137A (Moderate olive green). Color of lower side: RHS 137D (Moderate yellowish green). Overall shape: Elliptical. Base shape: Cuneate. Apex shape: Convex. Margin type: Smooth.
    • Flowering.—Flowering interval: Late September to late April.
• Fruit:
  • • Fruit size.—Length: 57 mm. Width: 46 mm. Length/width ratio: 1.2.
    • Fruit hollow.—Length: 24 mm. Width: 5 mm. Length/width ratio: 4.7.
    • Shape.—Conical.
    • Difference in shape of terminal and other fruits.—None or very slight.
    • Fruit color.—RHS 45A (Vivid red).
    • Evenness of color.—Slightly uneven.
    • Glossiness.—Medium.
    • Evenness of surface.—Even or very slightly uneven.
    • Width of band without achenes.—Medium.
    • Position of achenes.—Level with surface.
    • Position of calyx attachment.—Level with fruit.
    • Attitude of sepals.—Outwards.
    • Diameter of calyx in relation to diameter of fruit.—Slightly larger.
    • Adherence of calyx.—Medium.
    • Firmness.—Firm.
    • Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS 42C (Strong reddish orange).
    • Evenness and distribution of flesh color.—Moderately even.
    • Color of core.—RHS NN155B (White).
    • Juiciness.—Moderate.
    • Fruit weight.—27.7 g.
    • Soluble solids (in ° brix).—10.4.
    • Fruiting.—Harvest interval: Late October to late April. Type of bearing: Fully remontant. Productivity: 32,498 kg to 65,087 kg of fruit per hectare per season from six-month-old plants when grown in Tapalpa, Mexico. Market use of fruit: Fresh market. Shipping and storage characteristics: Following harvest, on average more than 39% of fruit is marketable after 9 days in storage.
• Resistance to abiotic stress, pests, and diseases:
  • • Two-spotted spider mite (tetranychus urticae).—Moderately resistant.
    • Botrytis fruit rot (botrytis cinerea).—Moderately susceptible.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND REFERENCE VARIETIES

‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ differs from the female parent proprietary strawberry plant ‘88T205’ (unpatented) in that plants of ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ have a higher yield than plants of ‘88T205’.

‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ differs from the male parent proprietary strawberry plant ‘107S 60’ (unpatented) in that fruit of ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ is larger and less misshapen than fruit of ‘107S 60’.

‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ differs from the reference variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyEight’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,079) in that ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ has a conical fruit shape, no difference or a very slight difference in shapes of terminal and other fruits, and a slightly larger diameter of calyx in relation to diameter of fruit, whereas ‘DrisStrawSixtyEight’ has a cordate fruit shape, a slight difference in shapes of terminal and other fruits, and a same size diameter of calyx in relation to diameter of fruit. In addition, ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ has a fully remontant type of bearing, while ‘DrisStrawSixtyEight’ has a partially remontant type of bearing.

‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ differs from the reference variety ‘DrisStrawThirtySix’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,698), in that ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ has medium plant vigor, an obtuse terminal leaflet shape of base, a position of inflorescence at the same level as foliage, and a medium adherence of calyx to fruit, whereas ‘DrisStrawThirtySix’ has very strong plant vigor, an acute terminal leaflet shape of base, a position of inflorescence above foliage, and a very strong adherence of calyx to fruit. In addition, ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ has a fully remontant type of bearing, while ‘DrisStrawThirtySix’ has a not remontant type of bearing.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawEightyNine’ as shown and described herein.