Patent Grant
PP33476
Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Fragaria ananassa.
Variety denomination: ‘SANTA MARIA’.
The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety named ‘SANTA MARIA’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made in 2012 in an ongoing breeding program between strawberry variety designated ‘Red Merlin’ (Protected; Israel PBR Grant No. 2906) as the seed (female) parent, and the unreleased, unpatented strawberry breeding selection designated ‘BG-5.321’ as the pollen (male) parent. The variety is botanically known as Fragaria ananassa.
The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was selected from a controlled breeding plot in Hillsborough County, Fla. in the fall/winter of 2013-2014. After its selection, the new variety was 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 in Hillsborough County, Fla. 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.
‘SANTA MARIA’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of West Central Florida. The subtropical climate of West Central Florida provides the day length and moderate temperatures needed to produce a strong, vigorous plant and maintain fruit quality during the fall and winter production months.
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘SANTA MARIA’, which in combination distinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:
‘Florida Radiance’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,363) has been a dominant strawberry variety in Hillsborough County, Fla. for more than ten years. The fruit of ‘SANTA MARIA’ are similar in flavor and firmness to ‘Florida Radiance’, but the fruits of ‘SANTA MARIA’ are greater in size, and more uniform and conical in shape during the early season. The achenes of ‘Florida Radiance’ are more sunken than those of ‘SANTA MARIA’. In side-by-side comparisons from the 2017-2018 season (Nov. 11, 2017 to Feb. 23, 2018) and the 2018-2019 season (Nov. 15, 2018 to Feb. 27, 2019), ‘SANTA MARIA’ compares with ‘Florida Radiance’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,363) in the following combination of characteristics as described in Table 1.
For identification, a series of molecular markers have been determined for this new variety.
‘SANTA MARIA’ differs from its parents, ‘Red Merlin’ and ‘BG-5.321’ 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 ‘SANTA MARIA’ 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 ‘SANTA MARIA’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new strawberry variety ‘SANTA MARIA’ are approximately five months old. The photographs were taken in Hillsborough County, Fla.
The new variety ‘SANTA MARIA’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety ‘SANTA MARIA’ 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 ‘SANTA MARIA’, unless otherwise noted, are based on observations taken during the 2019-2020 growing season in Hillsborough County, Fla. These measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘SANTA MARIA’ dug from a high-elevation nursery located in Siskiyou County, Calif. during mid-September 2019 and planted approximately four to five days later in Hillsborough County, Fla. The approximate age of the observed plants is five months. Yield observations including average weight and marketable yield, along with fruit quality characteristics including soluble solids, are averaged from four years of data collected from the 2015-2016 through 2018-2019 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 (2007).
The following characteristics describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage, fruiting truss, flower, reproductive organs and pest and disease characteristics of the new strawberry ‘SANTA MARIA’.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PP20363 | Chandler | Sep 2009 | P2 |
