Strawberry plant named ‘TAMIR’

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • PP20647
  • Patent Number
    PP20,647
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, April 8, 2008
    16 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, January 19, 2010
    14 years ago
  • US Classifications
    Field of Search
    • US
    • PLT 208000
    • PLT 209000
  • International Classifications
    • A01H5/00
    • Term Extension
      17
Abstract
This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘TAMIR’. This new strawberry plant named ‘TAMIR’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the growing conditions of the Sharon coastal plain, at 32° latitude, located in Israel, and is primarily characterized by low amounts of runners (stolons) production in the propagating nursery; no chilling requirement for flower induction; very early fruit production from the first week of November in Israel; moderate plant size with open, flattened habit; fruiting trusses position level with foliage; large fruit size, orange-red in color; high fruit firmness even in high temperatures; juicy fruit texture with strong flavor; very nice appearance with yellowish achenes over bright red fruit skin; and high field tolerance to powdery mildew.
Description

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Fragaria ananassa.


Variety denomination: ‘TAMIR’.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety named ‘TAMIR’. The variety is botanically known as Fragaria ananassa Duch.


The new strawberry ‘TAMIR’ is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventors, Nir Dai, Zecharia Tanami and Sara Slotzky in Bet-Dagan, Israel. The objective of the breeding program is to develop a new infra short-day strawberry variety having premium fruit quality (appearance, firmness and flavor), which produces high marketable yields from the beginning of November.


This new strawberry ‘TAMIR’ is a result of a controlled cross made by the inventors in 2000, in Bet-Dagan, Israel. The female or seed parent is strawberry variety designated ‘HADAS’, registered for PBR in Israel (No. 1860, Date: Jan. 20, 1999) and in Europe (No. EU 6445, Date: Jul. 3, 2000). The male or pollen parent is strawberry variety designated ‘HERUT’, registered for PBR in Israel (No. 2243, Date: May 2, 2002) and in Europe (No. EU 21583, Date: Dec. 17, 2007). The new strawberry ‘TAMIR’ was discovered and selected by the inventors as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in March of 2001, in controlled environment of an experimental greenhouse in Bet-Dagan, Israel. After its selection, the new variety was asexually propagated by stolons in a nursery located in Bet-Dagan, Israel. The new variety was extensively tested over the following years in few small commercial fields in Moshav Tsofit, Kadima and Qalansawa, Israel. This propagation has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.


BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘TAMIR’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the Sharon coastal plain, at 32° latitude, located in Israel and to similar climatic regions. This region provides the needed growing conditions of autumn with high temperatures that promote primary plant growth and earliness of fruit production; and mild winter with moderate temperatures and many sunny days with low humidity, maintaining plant vigorous and fruit quality during the production months.


The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘TAMIR’, which in combination distinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

    • 1. Low amounts of runners (stolons) production in the propagating nursery;
    • 2. No chilling requirement for flower induction;
    • 3. Very early fruit production from the first week of November in Israel;
    • 4. Moderate plant size with open, flattened habit;
    • 5. Fruiting trusses position level with foliage;
    • 6. Large fruit size, orange-red in color;
    • 7. High fruit firmness even in high temperatures;
    • 8. Juicy fruit texture with strong flavor;
    • 9. Very nice appearance with yellowish achenes over bright red fruit skin; and
    • 10. High field tolerance to powdery mildew.


Plants of the new strawberry variety ‘TAMIR’ differ from plants of the parents, ‘HADAS’, registered for PBR in Israel (No. 1860, Date: Jan. 20, 1999) and in Europe (No. EU 6445, Date: Jul. 3, 2000), and ‘HERUT’, registered for PBR in Israel (No. 2243, Date: May 2, 2002) and in Europe (No. EU 21583, Date: Dec. 17, 2007) in the characteristics described in Table 1.












TABLE 1







‘HADAS’
‘HERUT’


Characteristic
‘TAMIR’
Registered
Registered







Average fruit
22 gram
25 gram
20 gram


weight (gm)


Unevenness of
Absent or very
Weak
Weak


fruit surface
weak


Insertion of
Level with
Level with
Slightly below


achenes
surface
surface
surface


Attitude of calyx
Clasping or
Clasping or
Clasping or



detached
detached
detached


Firmness of the
Firm
Medium
Medium


fruit


Plant size
Medium
Medium
Large


Average number
Few
Many
Very many


of stolons


Foliage color
Medium to dark
Dark
Medium to


(upper surface)


dark


Interveinal leaf
Weak
Weak
Weak


blistering


Vigor
Medium
Medium
Strong


Position relative
Level with
Above
Beneath


to foliage









Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new strawberry variety ‘TAMIR’ is the male or pollen parental cultivar, strawberry variety ‘HERUT’ (registered for PBR in Israel and Europe). Plants of the new strawberry variety ‘TAMIR’ differ from plants of strawberry variety ‘HERUT’ in the characteristics described in Table 2.











TABLE 2







‘HERUT’


Characteristic
‘TAMIR’
Registered







Average fruit weight (gm)
22 gram
20 gram


Insertion of achenes
Level with surface
Slightly below




surface


Attitude of calyx
Clasping or detached
Clasping or




detached


Firmness of the fruit
Firm
Medium


Plant size
Medium
Large


Average number of stolons
Few
Very many


Fruit color
Orange-red
Red to dark red


Fruit tip color
Without green tip
Dominant green tip


Foliage size
Medium
Large


Inflorescence position
Level with
Beneath


relative to foliage









For its identification, a series of molecular markers have been developed for this new variety. The genetic polymorphic pattern of two Cleavage Amplified Polymorphic Sequence (CAPS) markers (A. APX- MluI and B. CTI-HinfI (Kunihisa et al., 2003)) that differ between the new strawberry cultivar ‘TAMIR’ and the main commercial Israeli strawberry cultivars, as well as, other widely known strawberry cultivars is shown in FIG. 7.





BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new strawberry variety ‘TAMIR’, 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 description which accurately describes the color of ‘TAMIR’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new strawberry variety ‘TAMIR’ were taken in Moshav Tsofit, Israel, and are approximately 5 month old.



FIG. 1 shows typical fruiting field characteristics of ‘TAMIR’ taken in February of 2007.



FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical leaf structure of ‘TAMIR’ taken in February of 2008.



FIG. 3A shows typical mature and immature field fruit of ‘TAMIR’ taken in February of 2007 and



FIG. 3B shows typical mature and immature field fruit of ‘TAMIR’ taken in February of 2008.



FIG. 4 shows a close-up external view of mature fruit of ‘TAMIR’ taken in February of 2007.



FIG. 5 shows a close-up internal view of mature fruit characteristics of ‘TAMIR’ taken in February of 2008.



FIG. 6. Average August to March maximum and minimum temperatures, during the main strawberry growing season at the fruit production field.



FIG. 7. The genetic polymorphic pattern of 12 strawberry accessions at two CAPS markers: A. APX- MluI and B. CTI-HinfI (following Kunisha, et al. (2003)).





DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

‘TAMIR’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety 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 observations, measurements and values describe the new strawberry variety ‘TAMIR’, unless otherwise noted, taken during the winter of the growing season 2007–2008 in Moshav Geolim and Bet-Dagan, Israel. The observations, measurements and values were taken from plants of ‘TAMIR’ dug from a low-elevation nursery located in Moshav Geolim and Bet-Dagan, Israel, during September, 2007 and planted directly, without any chilling, in the same day in the commercial field in Moshav Geolim and experimental greenhouse Bet-Dagan, Israel. Plants of the new strawberry variety ‘TAMIR’ were grown under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.


Growing conditions at the nursery:


Mother plants provided from an authorized nursery are planted in the beginning of May, in the field nursery at 2.5 m×2.5 m distance. Combination of overhead and drip irrigation with addition of fertilizers is used. The average day/night temperatures during the establishment of the daughter plants, between June to August, are 32° C./18° C. respectively. Runners appear from June, which produce young daughter plants up till mid September, these are then collected and planted directly in the commercial fields.


Growing conditions at the fruit production field:


The bare rooted plants are washed from soil and dipped in Octav (Prochloraz manganese) 2 g/Liter solution to avoid anthracnose. These bare rooted plants are then planted in raised beds with overhead irrigation in 4 rows at 30 cm apart. Distance between plants within rows is 32 cm. During the first month, no fertilizers are added, due to the addition of 60–100 m3/hectar compost during field preparation. About 4 weeks after planting the beds are covered with silvery-black, 30 micron polyethylene. The young plants are pulled out through the pre-prepared holes. From this point on, the plants are irrigated with a drip system with a supply of additional fertilizers, as is typically used in agricultural practice. By the end of October the beds are covered with transparent, 80 micron thick polyethylene tunnels. The average day (max) and night (minimum) temperatures during the cultivation season are shown in FIG. 6.


During winter in Israel, most days have full sunlight and only average of 82 rainy days from August to June, producing about 620 mm precipitation. The commercial fields are not treated with growth regulators and regularly are irrigated and fertilized according to need during fruit production.


Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from 2 years of data collected from the 2006 to 2007 and 2007 to 2008 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 references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions between 10:00 a.m. to noon in Bet-Dagan, Israel. The approximate age of the observed plants is 4 to 6 months.


The following Tables 3 to 9 describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage, fruiting truss, flower and pest/disease characteristics of the new strawberry ‘TAMIR’.









TABLE 3







FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS








Characteristic
‘TAMIR’





Color of mature fruit
Orange-red, RHS 34A


Color of internal flesh
Orange-red, RHS 33B


Length (cm)
5 cm to 7 cm


Width (cm)
3.2 cm to 4 cm


Ratio length/width
Longer than broad


Calyx diameter (cm)
3.0 cm to 3.5 cm


Average weight (gm)
About 22 gram


Achene color
Yellow-green, RHS 154B


Number of achenes per berry
About 200


Achene weight (mg)
Not relevant


Marketable yield (gm/plt)
Monthly yield











Nov.
53
gram/plant



Dec.
143
gram/plant



Jan.
155
gram/plant



Feb.
184
gram/plant



Mar.
232
gram/plant



Apr.
165
gram/plant



May
119
gram/plant



Total:
1051
gram/plant








Size
Large


Predominant shape
Conical


Difference in shapes
Slight


between primary and


secondary fruit


Band without achenes
Narrow


Unevenness of surface
Weak


Evenness of color
Slightly uneven


Glossiness
Medium to strong


Insertion of achenes
Level with


Insertion of calyx
Level


Attitude of the calyx
Clasping or detached


Size of calyx in relation to
Same size


fruit diameter


Adherence of calyx
Strong


Firmness of skin
Not relevant


Firmness of flesh
Firm


Distribution of red color
When viewed in longitudinal section -


of the flesh
marginal distribution of orange-red color



of flesh of fruit (orange-red color (RHS



33B) towards outer rim of flesh of fruit,



and white (RHS N155B) near inner part of



flesh of fruit)


Hollow center expression
Weak


Flavor
Strong


Soluble solids (% brix)
8.5-10%


Time of first flowering
Very early, from the beginning of October


Time of first harvesting
Very early, from the beginning of



November


Harvest period
November to June


Type of bearing
Partially remontant
















TABLE 4







PLANT CHARACTERISTICS










Characteristic
‘TAMIR’







Height (cm)
8 cm to 13 cm



Spread (cm)
28 cm to 33 cm



Size
Medium



Habit
Flattened - globular



Density
Sparse.



Vigor
Moderate

















TABLE 5







STOLON CHARACTERISTICS










Characteristic
‘TAMIR’







Average number per plant
Few



Fruiting field
Few, until the first harvest



Average Length:
About 2.5 m



Color:
Green, RHS 144B



Anthocyanin coloration
Greyed-red RHS 181C



Anthocyanin intensity
Very weak to weak



Diameter at bract (mm)
3 mm to 4 mm



Pubescence
Strong

















TABLE 6







FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS










Characteristic
‘TAMIR’







Foliage:




Color of upper surface
Medium to dark green, RHS 137A



Color of under side
Light green, RHS 138B



Shape in cross section
Slightly concave



Interveinal blistering
Weak



Glossiness
Weak to medium



Number of leaflets
Only three



Terminal Leaflet:



Length (cm)
6 cm to 8 cm



Width (cm)
About 6 cm



Length/width ratio
Slightly longer than broad



Incision of margin
Crenate



Shape of base
Rounded



Shape of teeth
Rounded



Petiole:



Length (cm)
8 cm to 9 cm



Diameter (mm)
About 3 mm



Petiolule length (mm)
4 mm to 7 mm



Pubescence
Dense



Attitude of hairs
Outwards



Stipule:



Length (mm)
About 30 mm



Width (mm)
About 10 mm



Anthocyanin coloration
None



Color
Yellow-green, RHS 145B

















TABLE 7







FRUITING TRUSS CHARACTERISTICS










Characteristic
‘TAMIR’







Length (cm)
About 6 cm



Position relative to foliage
Level with



Pubescence
Strong



Anthocyanin intensity
None



Attitude at first pick
Prostrate



Difference between primary
Very slight



and secondary flower

















TABLE 8







FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS










Characteristic
‘TAMIR’







Petal color




Mature (upper)
White, RHS 155B



Mature (lower)
White, RHS 155B



Immature (upper)
Not relevant



Immature (lower)
Not relevant



Petal shape



Overall
Rounded



Apex
Rounded



Base
Rounded



Petal length (mm)
10 mm to 12 mm



Petal width (mm)
11 mm to 13 mm



Petal length/width ratio
Slightly broader than long



Number of petals/flower
Typically 5, sometimes 6



Sepals color



Mature (upper)
Medium green, RHS 137C



Mature (lower)
Light green, RHS 138B



Immature (upper)
Not relevant



Immature (lower)
Not relevant



Sepal shape



Overall
Elliptic



Apex
Typically acute



Base
Truncate



Sepal length (mm)
10 mm to 12 mm



Sepal width (mm)
4 mm to 6 mm



Sepal length/width ratio
Longer than broad



Number of sepals/flower
Typically 10, sometimes 20



Corolla diameter (mm)
30 mm to 34 mm



Calyx diameter (mm)
35 mm to 40 mm



Size of calyx relative to
Slightly longer



corolla



Size of inner calyx
Slightly smaller



relative to outer calyx



Relative position of petals
Overlapping

















TABLE 9







REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS










Characteristic
‘TAMIR’







Androecium:




Stamen:



Number per flower:
About 20 to 30.



Filament:



Length:
About 3 mm to 4 mm.



Color:
Light yellow green, closest to RHS 145D.



Anther:



Length:
About 1 mm.



Color:
Yellow-orange, RHS 17A.



Gynoecium:



Receptacles:



Shape:
Spherical.



Length:
About 5 mm to 6 mm.



Diameter:
About 4 mm to 6 mm.



Color:
Green, RHS 143C.



Style:



Length:
About 3 mm to 4 mm.



Color:
Dark yellow, closest to RHS 13A.

















TABLE 10







PEST AND DISEASE REACTIONS










Characteristic
‘TAMIR’







Two spotted spider mite
No testing/observations



Lygus bug
No testing/observations



Flower thrips
No testing/observations



Powdery mildew
Tolerant



Botrytis fruit rot
Moderately tolerant



Angular leaf spot
No testing/observations









Claims
  • 1. A new and distinct strawberry plant named ‘TAMIR’, as herein described and illustrated by the characteristics set forth above, having a low number of daughter plants in the propagation nursery, not requiring chilling for flower induction, and having very early fruit production from the first week of November.
Priority Claims (1)
Number Date Country Kind
4029/07 Apr 2007 IL national
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20080256672 P1 Oct 2008 US