Patent Grant
PP35234
Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Fragaria ananassa.
Variety denomination: ‘SB_14_223-007’.
The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety named ‘SB_14_223-007’. This new variety is the result of an open pollination made in 2014 between the strawberry variety designated ‘Florida127’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,574) as the seed (female) parent, and an unknown 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 2021-2022. 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.
‘SB_14_223-007’ 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 an early yielding, 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 ‘SB_14_223-007’, which in combination distinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:
‘Florida Brilliance’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,564) is currently the dominant strawberry variety in Hillsborough County, Fla. The fruits of ‘SB_14_223-007’ are larger in size, lighter in color, and more elongated than those of ‘Florida Brilliance’. The achenes of ‘Florida Brilliance’ are more sunken than those of ‘SB_14_223-007’. The plant vigor of ‘SB_14_223-007’ is similar to that of ‘Florida Brilliance’ but its plant architecture is slightly less open. In side-by-side comparisons from the 2021-2022 season (Nov. 23, 2021 to Feb. 25, 2022) ‘SB_14_223-007’ compares with ‘Florida Brilliance’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,564) 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.
‘SB_14_223-007’ compares with its parent, ‘Florida127’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,574) in 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 ‘SB_14_223-007’ 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 ‘SB_14_223-007’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new strawberry variety ‘SB_14_223-007’ are approximately four months old. The photographs were taken in Hillsborough County, Fla.
The new variety ‘SB_14_223-007’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety ‘SB_14_223-007’ 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 Table 1 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 ‘SB_14_223-007’, unless otherwise noted, are based on observations taken during the 2021-2022 growing season in Hillsborough County, Fla. These measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘SB_14_223-007’ dug from a high-elevation nursery located in Siskiyou County, Calif. during mid-September 2021 and planted approximately four to five days later in Hillsborough County, Fla. The approximate age of the observed plants is four months. Yield observations including average weight and marketable yield, along with fruit quality characteristics including soluble solids, were measured during the 2021-2022 growing season. 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 (2015).
The following characteristics describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage, fruiting truss, flower, reproductive organs and pest and disease characteristics of the new strawberry ‘SB_14_223-007’.
