Patent Application
20120151646
Fragaria ananassa
‘MERIT’
The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety named ‘MERIT’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made in 2001 in an ongoing breeding program between strawberry variety designated ‘PS-2880’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,597) and strawberry variety designated ‘PS-4630’ (a non-patented selection). Due to the combining of the reciprocal seed lots it is unknown as to which parent variety is the seed parent and which parent variety is the pollen parent. The variety is botanically known as Fragaria ananassa.
The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was selected from a controlled breeding plot in Ventura County, California in the fall of 2003. After its selection, the new variety was asexually propagated by stolons in both San Joaquin County, California and Siskiyou County, California. The new variety was extensively tested over the next several years in fruiting fields in Ventura 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.
‘MERIT’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the central coast of California. The nearby Pacific Ocean provides the needed humidity and moderate temperatures to produce a strong vigorous plant and maintain fruit quality during the fall production months.
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘MERIT’, which in combination distinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:
The strawberry varieties that are believed to be most closely related to the new strawberry variety ‘MERIT’ are the strawberry variety ‘VALOR’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,394) and the strawberry variety ‘PREMIER’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,309). In side-by-side comparisons to the similar strawberry varieties ‘VALOR’ and ‘PREMIER’, the new strawberry variety ‘MERIT’ 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.
‘MERIT’ differs from its parents, ‘PS-2880’ and ‘PS-4630’ by the following combination of characteristics as described in Table 2.
The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new strawberry variety ‘MERIT’, 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 ‘MERIT’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new strawberry variety ‘MERIT’ are approximately 3 to 4 months old. The photographs were taken in Ventura County, California:
The new variety ‘MERIT’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety ‘MERIT’ 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 1-9 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 ‘MERIT’, unless otherwise noted, are based on observations taken during the 2009 growing season in Ventura County, California. These measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘MERIT’ dug from a low-elevation nursery located in San Joaquin County, California during the month of January 2008 and planted approximately 6 months later in Ventura County, California. The approximate age of the observed plants is 3 to 4 months. Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from four years of data collected from the 2006 through 2009 growing seasons. Flower measurements and characteristics are from secondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruit characteristics and measurements are from secondary fruit unless otherwise noted.
Color terminology where noted follows The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, London (2007).
The following tables 3-9 describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage, fruiting truss, flower and pest disease characteristics of the new strawberry ‘MERIT’ in comparison to the similar strawberry variety ‘VALOR’ and strawberry variety ‘PREMIER’.
