Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Fragaria ananassa.
Variety denomination: ‘RELIANCE’.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety named ‘RELIANCE’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made in 2000 in an ongoing breeding program between strawberry variety designated ‘PS-592’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,903) and strawberry variety designated ‘PS-1269’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,686) in an ongoing breeding program. 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 Monterey County, Calif. in the summer of 2002. After its selection, the new variety was asexually propagated by stolons in both San Joaquin County, Calif., and Siskiyou County, Calif. The new variety was extensively tested over the next several years in fruiting fields in Monterey County, Calif. 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.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ‘RELIANCE’ 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 spring, summer and fall production months.
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘RELIANCE’, which in combination distinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:
-
- 1. Large to very large fruit size;
- 2. Red to dark red fruit color;
- 3. High productivity;
- 4. Medium sized plant;
- 5. Calyx that tends to be more equal to the diameter of the fruit;
- 6. Uniformly shaped, conical berries with good flavor; and
- 7. Relatively short fruiting trusses
The strawberry varieties that are believed to be most closely related to the new strawberry variety ‘RELIANCE’ are the strawberry variety ‘PS-4634’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,487) and the strawberry variety ‘PS-5298’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,583). In side-by-side comparisons to the similar strawberry varieties ‘PS-4634’ and ‘PS-5298’, the new strawberry variety ‘RELIANCE’ differs by the following combination of characteristics as described in Table 1:
TABLE 1
‘PS-4634’ ‘PS-5298’
(U.S. Plant Pat. (U.S. Plant Pat.
Characteristic ‘RELIANCE’ No. 17,487) No.19,583)
1. Color of mature Ranges from Ranges from Red
fruit red to dark red red to
orange-red
2. Average fruit 27.4 27.6 24.6
weight (gm)
3. Marketable yield 1,646 1,521 1,445
(gm/plt)
4. Size of calyx in Ranges from Same size Slightly larger
relation to fruit same size to
diameter slightly smaller
5. Plant size Medium Large Large
6. Stolon Weak Ranges from Weak
anthocyanin intensity weak to
medium
7. Interveinal leaf Medium Ranges from Ranges from
blistering medium to medium to
strong strong
8. Foliage gloss Medium Ranges from Ranges from
medium to medium to
strong strong
9. Petiole length (cm) 19.4 23.7 24.4
10. Petiolule length 15.5 9.4 12.3
(mm)
11. Terminal leaf Obtuse Acute Acute
shape of base
12. Terminal leaf Rounded Obtuse Obtuse
shape of teeth
13. Fruiting truss 29.9 39.0 36.3
length at maturity (cm)
14. Fruiting truss Strong Ranges from Medium
pubescence medium to
weak
For identification a series of AFLP molecular markers have been determined for this new variety.
‘RELIANCE’ differs from its parents, ‘PS-592’ and ‘PS-1269’ by the following combination of characteristics as described in Table 2.
TABLE 2
‘PS-592’ ‘PS-1269-2
(U.S. Plant Pat. (U.S. Plant Pat.
Characteristic ‘RELIANCE’ No. 9,903) No. 10,686)
1. Color of mature Ranges from Ranges from Red
fruit red to dark red red to orange-red
2. Fruit size Ranges from Medium Medium
large to very large
3. Plant size Medium Large Large
4. Fruit skin Ranges from Medium Medium
firmness medium to strong
5. Fruit gloss Medium Ranges from Ranges from
medium to strong medium to weak
6. Fruit High Ranges from Medium
productivity medium to high
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new strawberry variety ‘RELIANCE’, 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 describe the color of ‘RELIANCE’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new strawberry variety ‘RELIANCE’ were taken in Monterey County, Calif., and are approximately 8 to 9 months old:
FIG. 1 shows typical fruiting field characteristics of ‘RELIANCE’ taken in the month of June 2008;
FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of a typical leaf structure of ‘RELIANCE’ taken in the month of July 2008;
FIG. 3 shows typical mature and immature field fruit of ‘RELIANCE’ taken in the month of July 2008;
FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of mature fruit of ‘RELIANCE’ taken in the month of July 2008;
FIG. 5 shows typical internal and external mature fruit characteristics of ‘RELIANCE’ taken in the month of July 2008.
DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION The new variety ‘RELIANCE’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety ‘RELIANCE’ 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 ‘RELIANCE’, unless otherwise noted, is based on observations taken during the 2008 growing season in Monterey County, Calif. These measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘RELIANCE’ dug from a high-elevation nursery located in Siskiyou County, Calif. during the middle of October 2007 and planted approximately 3 weeks later in Monterey County, Calif. The approximate age of the observed plants is 8 to 10 months. Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from four years of data collected from the 2005 through 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 terminology where noted follows The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, London (2007).
The following Tables 3 to 9 describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage, fruiting truss, flower and pest disease characteristics of the new strawberry ‘RELIANCE’ in comparison to the similar strawberry variety ‘PS-4634’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,487) and strawberry variety ‘PS-5298’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No 19,583).
TABLE 3
FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS
‘PS-4634’ ‘PS-5298’
(U.S. Plant Pat. (U.S. Plant Pat.
Characteristic ‘RELIANCE’ No. 17,487) No. 19,583)
Color of mature RHS 46A RHS 45B RHS 45A
fruit Ranges from red Red to Red
to dark red orange-red
Color of internal RHS 44A RHS 44C RHS 44B
flesh Medium red Ranges from Medium red
medium to
light red
Fruit length (cm) 4.7 4.9 4.6
Fruit width (cm) 4.2 4.1 4.0
Fruit length/width 1.12 1.19 1.15
ratio Slightly longer Slightly longer Slightly longer
than broad than broad than broad
Calyx diameter 3.9 4.4 4.2
(cm)
Average fruit 27.4 27.6 24.6
weight (gm)
Achene color, RHS 162B RHS 162C RHS 160B
shaded side Greyed-yellow Greyed-yellow Greyed-yellow
group group group
Achene color, RHS 184B RHS 184C RHS 184C
sun exposed side Greyed-purple Greyed-purple Greyed-purple
group group group
Achenes per berry 340 359 268
Achene weight (mg) 0.60 0.45 0.50
Marketable fruit 1,646 1,521 1,445
yield (gm/plt)
Fruit Size Ranges from Ranges from Ranges from
large to very large to very medium to
large large large
Predominant fruit Conical Conical Conical
shape
Difference in shapes Slight Moderate Moderate
between primary
and secondary fruit
Band without Narrow Narrow Ranges from
achenes absent to very
narrow
Unevenness of fruit Weak Ranges from Weak
surface weak to medium
Evenness of fruit Ranges from Ranges from Ranges from
color slightly slightly slightly
uneven to even uneven to even uneven to even
Fruit glossiness Medium Strong Ranges from
medium to
strong
Insertion of achenes Level with Level with Level with
surface surface surface
Insertion of calyx Ranges from Ranges from Ranges from
level with to in level with to in level with to
the basin the basin above fruit
Attitude of the Ranges from Ranges from Ranges from
calyx spreading spreading spreading
to reflexed to reflexed to reflexed
Size of calyx Ranges from Same size Slightly larger
in relation same size
to fruit diameter to slightly smaller
Adherence of calyx Strong Strong Strong
Firmness of fruit Ranges from Strong Ranges from
skin medium to strong medium to
strong
Firmness of fruit Ranges from Medium Ranges from
flesh medium to firm medium to firm
Keeping quality Good Very good Good
Distribution of red Marginal and Marginal and Marginal and
color of the flesh central central central
Hollow center Moderate Strong Moderate
expression
Fruit flavor Good Very good Good
Soluble solids (% 8.8 9.6 9.6
brix)
Time of first Medium Early Early
flowering
Flowering period Early to mid Late February Late February
March to early March to early March
to December to December to December
Time of first Medium Early Early
harvesting
Harvest period Early to mid Late March to Late March to
April to early April to early April to
December December December
Type of bearing Partially Not Partially
everbearing remontant everbearing
TABLE 4
PLANT CHARACTERISTICS
‘PS-4634’ ‘PS-5298’
(U.S. Plant Pat. (U.S. Plant Pat.
Characteristic ‘RELIANCE’ No. 17,487) No. 19,583)
Plant height (cm) 26.5 31.9 34.1
Plant spread (cm) 33.8 36.7 40.0
Crowns/plant 5.3 6.0 6.7
Plant size Medium Large Large
Plant habit Globose Globose Globose
Plant density Medium Medium Medium
Plant vigor Medium Strong Strong
TABLE 5
STOLON CHARACTERISTICS
‘PS-4634’ ‘PS-5298’
(U.S. Plant Pat. (U.S. Plant Pat.
Characteristic ‘RELIANCE’ No. 17,487) No. 19,583)
Stolon color RHS 146C RHS 144A RHS 145A
Yellow-green Yellow-green Yellow-green
group group group
Stolon anthocyanin RHS 180C RHS 182D RHS 182D
coloration Greyed-red Greyed-red Greyed-red
group group group
Stolon anthocyanin Weak Ranges from Weak
intensity weak to
medium
Average stolon number 1.1 2.7 0.9
per plant from the
fruiting field
Stolon diameter at 4.3 4.5 4.1
bract (mm)
Stolon pubescence Ranges from Ranges from Ranges from
medium to medium to medium to
strong weak strong
Attitude of hairs Slightly Upward Slightly
outward outward
TABLE 6
FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS
‘PS-4634’ ‘PS-5298’
(U.S. Plant Pat. (U.S. Plant Pat.
Characteristic ‘RELIANCE’ No. 17,487) No. 19,583)
Foliage:
Color of upper RHS 137B RHS 137A RHS 137B
surface Medium green Medium green Medium green
Color of under side RHS 147C RHS 147C RHS 147C
Yellow-green Yellow-green Yellow-green
group group group
Shape in cross Ranges from Ranges from Ranges from
section strongly slightly slightly
concave to flat concave to flat concave to flat
Interveinal Medium Ranges from Ranges from
blistering medium to medium to
strong strong
Leaf glossiness Medium Ranges from Ranges from
medium to medium to
strong strong
Number of leaflets Three Three Three
Terminal Leaflet:
Length (cm) 9.5 10.5 10.2
Width (cm) 9.1 8.0 8.8
Length/width ratio 1.04 1.32 1.16
Ranges from as Much longer Much longer
long as broad to than broad than broad
longer than broad
Serrations/leaf 22.1 21.9 19.1
Leaf size Ranges from Ranges from Ranges from
medium to large medium to large medium to large
Shape of base Obtuse Acute Acute
Shape of teeth Rounded Obtuse Obtuse
Petiole:
Petiole Color RHS 145A RHS 145A RHS 144A
Yellow-green Yellow-green Yellow-green
group group group
Petiole length (cm) 19.4 23.7 24.4
Petiole diameter 5.0 5.4 5.4
(mm)
Petiolule color RHS 145A RHS 145A RHS 144A
Yellow green Yellow green Yellow green
group group group
Petiolule length 15.5 9.4 12.3
(mm)
Petiole pubescence Moderate Ranges from Ranges from
moderate to moderate to
sparce sparce
Attitude of hairs Ranges from Slightly Strongly
upward to outward outward
slightly outward
Stipule:
Color RHS 146B RHS 146B RHS 146B
Yellow-green Yellow-green Yellow-green
group group group
Anthocyanin RHS 61B RHS 58A RHS 61B
coloration Red-purple Red-purple Red-purple
group group group
Anthocyanm Medium Strong Weak
intensity
Length (mm) 19.4 19.5 23.5
Width (mm) 8.3 9.5 9.8
TABLE 7
FRUITING TRUSS CHARACTERISTICS
‘PS-4634’ ‘PS-5298’
(U.S. Plant Pat. (U.S. Plant Pat.
Characteristic ‘RELIANCE’ No. 17,487) No. 19,583)
Anthocyanin RHS 181B RHS 182D RHS 182C
coloration Greyed-red group Greyed-red group Greyed-red group
Anthocyanin Ranges from Absent or very Ranges from
intensity medium to weak weak medium to weak
Length at 29.9 39.0 36.3
maturity (cm)
Position relative Beneath the Level with Level with to
to foliage foliage beneath the foliage
Pubescence Strong Ranges from Medium
medium to weak
Attitude at Prostrate Prostrate Prostrate
first pick
TABLE 8
FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS
‘PS-4634’ ‘PS-5298’
(U.S. Plant Pat. (U.S. Plant Pat.
Characteristic ‘RELIANCE’ No. 17,487) No. 19,583)
Petal color RHS 155C RHS 155C RHS 155C
White White White
Sepal color RHS 137B RHS 137A RHS 137B
Green group Green group Green group
Receptacle color RHS 147C RHS 147C RHS 147C
Yellow-green Yellow-green Yellow-green
group group group
Corolla diameter 30.6 34.2 31.8
(mm)
Calyx diameter 32.0 36.6 36.5
(mm)
Petal length (mm) 12.3 12.8 12.0
Petal width (mm) 12.8 12.5 12.5
Petal length/width 0.96 1.03 0.95
ratio
Petals/flower 5.9 6.0 6.4
Sepal length (mm) 12.1 13.2 13.1
Sepal width (mm) 4.8 5.2 4.5
Sepal length/width 2.53 2.53 2.92
ratio
Sepals/flower 11.6 12.3 13.0
Size of calyx Ranges from Larger Larger
relative to corolla same size to larger
Size of inner Ranges from Ranges from Ranges from
calyx relative to same size same size to same size to
outer calyx to smaller larger smaller
Relative position Overlapping Overlapping Overlapping
of petals
TABLE 9
PEST AND DISEASE REACTIONS
‘PS-4634’ ‘PS-5298’
(U.S. Plant Pat. (U.S. Plant Pat.
Characteristic ‘RELIANCE’ No. 17,487) No. 19,583)
Two spotted spider Moderately Moderately Moderately
mite susceptible susceptible susceptible
Flower thrips Moderately Moderately Moderately
resistant susceptible susceptible
Powdery mildew Moderately Moderately Moderately
susceptible resistant susceptible
Botrytis fruit rot Moderately Moderately Moderately
susceptible susceptible susceptible
Angular leaf spot Susceptible Susceptible Moderately
susceptible
