Patent Grant
PP36113
Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Fragaria x ananassa.
Variety denomination: ‘FPS-15.2016-31’.
The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety named ‘FPS-15.2016-31’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made in 2015 in an ongoing breeding program between strawberry variety designated ‘Sonata’ as the seed (female) parent, and strawberry variety designated ‘Murano’ as the pollen (male) parent. The variety is botanically known as Fragaria x ananassa.
The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was selected from a controlled breeding plot in Santa Cruz County, California in the spring of 2017. After its selection, the new variety was asexually propagated by stolons in San Joaquin County, California. The new variety was tested extensively over the next several years in fruiting fields in Santa Cruz County, California. 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.
‘FPS-15.2016-31’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the central coast of California. The nearby Pacific Ocean provides the humidity and moderate temperatures needed to produce a strong, vigorous plant and maintain fruit quality during the April through July production months.
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘FPS-15.2016-31’, which in combination distinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:
The strawberry variety that is believed to be most closely related to the new variety ‘FPS-15.2016-31’ is ‘Inspire’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,794). In side-by-side comparisons to the similar strawberry variety ‘Inspire’, ‘FPS-15.2016-31’ 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.
‘FPS-15.2016-31’ differs from its parents, ‘Sonata’ and ‘Murano’ by the following combination of characteristics as described in Tables 2 and 3.
The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new strawberry variety ‘FPS-15.2016-31’ at various stages of development, as true as it is reasonably possible with color reproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the botanical descriptions which accurately describe the color of ‘FPS-15.2016-31’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new strawberry variety ‘FPS-15.2016-31’ are approximately three to four months old. The photographs were taken in Santa Cruz County, California.
The new variety ‘FPS-15.2016-31’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety ‘FPS-15.2016-31’ may vary in detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type and location. In addition, the characteristics of any parental variety or comparison variety included in Tables 1, 2 and 3 of the present invention may vary in detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type and location.
The aforementioned photographs, together with the following description of the new variety ‘FPS-15.2016-31’, unless otherwise noted, are based on observations taken during the 2023 growing season in Santa Cruz County, California. These measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘FPS-15.2016-31’ dug from a low-elevation nursery located in San Joaquin County, California in December 2022 and planted approximately two months later in Santa Cruz County, California. The approximate age of the observed plants is three to four months. Yield observations including average weight and marketable yield, along with fruit quality characteristics including soluble solids, are averaged from six years of data collected from the 2018 through 2023 growing seasons. Flower measurements and characteristics are from secondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruit characteristics and measurements are from secondary fruit, unless otherwise noted.
Where noted, color terminology follows The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, London, Sixth Edition (2015).
The following characteristics describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage, fruiting truss, flower, reproductive organs and pest and disease characteristics of the new strawberry ‘FPS-15.2016-31’.
