Strawberry plant named ‘Ventura’

Abstract

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry named ‘Ventura’. The variety is similar to the varieties ‘E26’, ‘Montalvo’, and ‘Baeza’. The variety is distinguished from ‘E26’, ‘Montalvo’, and ‘Baeza’, in particular, by its globose to flat globose habit, medium density, weak to medium vigor, medium leaf glossiness, calyx diameter that is smaller relative to the corolla, semi-erect attitude at first picking, conical to cordate fruit shape, slight differences in shape between the primary and secondary fruit, narrow band without achenes, insertion of the calyx that is in a basin to level, weak to medium adherence of the calyx, and fruit with firm flesh and a small hollow center.

Description

1. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new variety originated as a result of a controlled cross between the strawberry plants ‘Mr. P’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,840) and ‘R1’ (unpatented Driscoll variety) in an ongoing breeding program, and was discovered as a seedling in a controlled breeding plot at the Driscoll Research Ranch, Ventura County, Calif. in October 1992. The original seedling of the new cultivar was asexually propagated by stolons at the Driscoll Nursery, McArthur, Shasta County, Calif. Propagules were transplanted to a controlled breeding plot in Monterey County, Calif., where it was identified and selected for further evaluation. ‘Ventura’ was subsequently asexually propagated and underwent further testing at various locations in Ventura County, Calif. for seven years. This propagation and testing has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein which characterize the new variety are fixed and retained true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

2. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry named ‘Ventura’. The variety is botanically identified as Fragaria×ananassa. The new variety is distinguished from other varieties by a number of characteristics as set forth in Tables 1-6.

3. COMPARISON TO SIMILAR VARIETIES

The varieties which we believe to be similar to ‘Ventura’ from those known to us are ‘E26’ (unpatented Driscoll variety), ‘Montalvo’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,522) and ‘Baeza’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,548). There are several characteristics of the new variety that are different from, or not possessed by ‘E26’, ‘Montalvo’, and ‘Baeza’. The new variety has a globose to flat globose habit, medium density, weak to medium vigor, medium leaf glossiness, a calyx diameter that is smaller relative to the corolla, a semi-erect attitude at first picking, conical to cordate fruit shape, slight differences in shape between the primary and secondary fruit, a narrow band without achenes, insertion of the calyx that is in a basin to level, weak to medium adherence of the calyx, and fruit with firm flesh and a small hollow center.

Plants of ‘Mr. P’ were more vigorous than those of ‘Ventura’. Fruit of ‘Mr. P’ had poorer shelf-life than those of ‘Ventura’ by being more orange in color and possessing raised achenes. Plants of R1 were partially everbearing while those of ‘Ventura’ are everbearing.

4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new variety, including fruit, foliage and flowers, in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in color illustrations of these characteristics.

FIG. 1 shows a close-up photo of the whole plant.

FIG. 2 shows the whole plant.

FIG. 3 shows the leaves of the plant.

FIG. 4 shows the leaves of the plant.

FIG. 5 shows the upper side and under side of the flowers.

FIG. 6 shows a close-up of the strawberry.

FIG. 7 shows the strawberry in longitudinal cross-section.

5. DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description of the new variety is based upon observations taken of plants and fruit grown in Ventura County, Calif., U.S.A. Observations of ‘Ventura’, ‘E26’, ‘Montalvo’, and ‘Baeza’ were taken in side by side comparison in 1999. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic and cultural conditions. Color are described and the most similar color designations are provided from The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart.

5.1 PROPAGATION

The new variety is principally propagated by way of stolons. Although propagation by stolons is presently preferred, other known methods of propagating strawberry plants may be employed.

5.2 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEW VARIETY

Information on the new variety is presented in Tables 1, 2 and 3. In the tables, the flowers described are secondary flowers except where indicated. The petal color of ‘Ventura’ is white, 155C in The R.H.S. Colour Chart. The fruit described is the secondary fruit on one year old plants. Fruit and flower measurements are an average of both primary and secondary fruit and flowers.

Table 1 provides information on the plant and fruit characteristics of the new variety ‘Ventura’ compared with characteristics of ‘E26’, ‘Montalvo’, and ‘Baeza’. Table 2 provides additional information of the plant and fruit characteristics of the new variety ‘Ventura’ compared with characteristics of the varieties ‘E26’, ‘Montalvo’, and ‘Baeza’. Table 3 provides reactions of the new variety to stresses as compared to the varieties ‘E26’, ‘Montalvo’, and ‘Baeza’. Tables 4 and 5 provide information of the new variety's reaction to pests and diseases, respectively, compared to the varieties ‘E26’, ‘Montalvo’, and ‘Baeza’. Table 6 provides isozyme characteristics of the new variety as compared to the varieties ‘E26’, ‘Montalvo’, and ‘Baeza’.

The leaf margin is crenate. Leaf texture is slightly blistered. The shape of the leaf is rounded to broadly ovate. The mid-vein color on the terminal leaflet is yellow green (154C) and the venation pattern is pinate.

The average petiole diameter is 0.37 cm. The average length of the petiole on the terminal leaflet is 1.32 cm.

The petal shape is rounded to broadly ovate. The petal margin is entire. The petal texture is smooth. The shape of the petal apex and base are rounded. The average number of petals per flower is 5.6.

The color of the stipule is yellow-green (145A).

The average sepal length is 1.1 cm. The average sepal width is 0.46 cm. The sepal color is 138A.

The average number of achenes per berry is 286.

TABLE 1 DETAILED COMPARISON OF ‘VENTURA’, ‘E26’, ‘MONTALVO’ AND ‘BAEZA’ Ventura E26 Montalvo Baeza Plant Characteristics Height of Plant (cm) 24.8 20.0 25.6 26.4 Spread of Plant (cm) 38.9 37.5 40.4 42.6 Number of Crowns  3.3  2.9  3.0  3.6 Leaf Characteristics Terminal Leaflet Width  8.7  8.0  9.6  9.6 (cm) Terminal Leaflet Length  8.3  8.0  9.5  9.5 (cm) Terminal Leaflet  0.96  1.00  0.98  0.99 Length/Width Ratio Number of Teeth/ 24.6 21.2 20.6 32.2 Terminal Leaflet Color of upper side of Medium Medium Light to Light to leaf green green medium medium 137B 137A green green 147A 147A Color of under side of Light Light Light Light leaf green green green green 138B 138C 138C 138B Petiole Lenght (cm) 17.1 14.1 15.4 16.5 Petiole color yellow yellow yellow yellow green green green green 145B 145A 144C 144A Bract Frequency 20% 40% 20% 70% Typically Typically Typically paired paired paired Stipule Length (cm)  2.9  3.1  3.5  3.6 Stipule Width (cm)  1.1  1.3  1.2  1.3 Flower Characteristics Petal Width (cm)  1.05  1.08  1.23  1.28 Petal Length (cm)  1.08  1.03  1.19  1.26 Petal Length/Width Ratio  1.03  0.95  0.97  0.98 Flower Diameter (cm)  2.76  2.70  3.08  3.15 Calyx Diameter (cm)  2.49  2.63  2.82  3.00 Fruit Characteristics Fruit Width (cm)  3.9  3.8  4.0  3.6 Fruit Length (cm)  4.0  4.0  4.6  3.9 Fruit Length/Width Ratio  1.01  1.06  1.16  1.08 Average Berry Size (g) 26.3 23.2 27.6 21.8 Fruit Skin Color Red Orange Orange Red 46A red Red 46A 46B 45B Fruit Flesh Color White & White White White & orange and pale and orange red rose orange red 44A & 33B & red 42B & 155D 155D 43A & 155D 155A Achene Coloration Yellow to Yellow Yellow Yellow Red to Red to Red to Red 13B to 14A to 13A to 13A to 45B 46A 26A 46A Total Yield (g/plant) 433 503 357 445 TABLE 2 CHARACTERISTICS OF ‘VENTURE’, ‘E26’, ‘MONTALVO’, AND ‘BAEZA’ Ventura E26 Montalvo Baeza Plant Habit globose to flat flat globose flat globose flat globose Density medium medium to open to open dense medium Vigor weak to weak strong medium medium Leaf Shape in slightly concave to concave concave cross section concave slightly concave Intervenial strong strong to weak to strong to blistering very strong medium very strong Glossiness medium weak weak weak Number of 3 only 3 only 3 only 3 only leaflets Terminal revolute to revolute to flat revolute to leaflet flat flat flat margin profile Terminal rounded rounded obtuse to obtuse to leaflet shape rounded rounded of base Terminal obtuse rounded rounded acute to leaflet shape obtuse of teeth Stipule sparse sparse sparse sparse pubescence Petiole sparse sparse sparse very sparse pubescence to sparse Petiole pose outwards outwards upwards to outwards of hairs outwards Stolon Number few to medium to — — medium many Anthocyanin medium medium to — — coloration strong Thickness medium to medium to — — thick thick Pubescence dense dense — — Inflorescence Position level to beneath beneath to level to relative to above level above foliage Diameter of smaller same size to smaller to same size to calyx larger same size larger relative to corolla Diameter of same size same size larger same size inner calyx relative to outer Spacing of touching to overlapping overlapping overlapping petals overlapping Fruiting Truss Attitude at semi-erect prostrate prostrate prostrate first picking Length (cm) 29.8 22.1 26.4 26.9 Fruit Predominant conical to conical conical to conical shape cordate almost cylindrical Difference in slight very slight marked very slight shapes to slight to slight between primary and secondary fruits Band without narrow narrow to medium very narrow achenes medium to narrow Unevenness of weak to weak weak to weak to surface medium medium on medium secondary fruit; strong on primary fruit Evenness of uneven slightly slightly slightly color uneven uneven uneven to even Glossiness strong strong medium to strong strong Insertion of below level with below level to achenes surface surface surface below surface Insertion of in a basin set above set above level calyx to level the fruit the fruit Pose of the reflexed reflexed reflexed spreading to calyx reflexed segments Size of calyx smaller smaller smaller to same size to in relation same size larger to fruit Adherence of weak to strong strong strong calyx medium Firmness of firm soft to medium medium to flesh medium firm Evenness of slightly uneven slightly uneven flesh color uneven uneven Distribution marginal and only marginal and marginal and of flesh central marginal central central color Hollow center small medium small to large size medium Sweetness medium to medium medium to medium strong strong Texture when fine medium fine medium tasted Acidity weak to weak to weak to medium medium medium medium Time of mid to late mid to late mid to late mid to late Flowering August August August August Harvest Oct. 2- Oct. 2- Oct. 2- Oct. 2- Interval Dec. 18 Dec. 18 Dec. 18 Dec. 18 Type of fully fully fully fully Bearing everbearing everbearing everbearing everbearing

5.3 REACTION TO STRESS TABLE 3

TABLE 3 Reaction to Stress Ventura E26 Montalvo Baeza high pH Moderately Moderately Moderately Moderately Resistant Resistant Resistant Resistant high soil salt Moderately Moderately Moderately Moderately levels Resistant Resistant Resistant Resistant

5.4 PEST AND DISEASE RESISTANCE AND SUSCEPTIBILITY

TABLE 4 Reaction to Pests Venutra E26 Montalvo Baeza Tetranychus moderately moderately moderately moderately urticae susceptible susceptible susceptible susceptible Aphis spp. susceptible susceptible susceptible susceptible Lygus hesperus susceptible susceptible susceptible susceptible TABLE 4 Reaction to Pests Venutra E26 Montalvo Baeza Tetranychus moderately moderately moderately moderately urticae susceptible susceptible susceptible susceptible Aphis spp. susceptible susceptible susceptible susceptible Lygus hesperus susceptible susceptible susceptible susceptible

5.5 ISOZYME ANALYSIS

In addition to the morphological description above, the new cultivar ‘Ventura’ has been analyzed to obtain an indication of its genetic makeup to provide further means for identifying the new variety and distinguishing it from some other somewhat similar and/or related strawberry varieties. Specifically, leaf samples of ‘Ventura’, ‘E26’, ‘Montalvo’ and ‘Baeza’ were analyzed by electrophoresis for isozyme patterns of the enzymes phosphoglucoisomerase (PGI), leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) and phosphoglucomutase (PGM). See J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 106:684-687. Isozyme chaaracterization of the three varieties is presented in Table 4, with the letters representing the banding patterns for each enzyme as designated in the above-identified article.

TABLE 6 ISOZYME ANALYSIS FOR ‘VENTURA’ ‘E26’, ‘MONTALVO’, AND ‘BAEZA’ Locus Ventura E26 Montalvo Baeza PGI A2 A2 A4 A1 LAP B3 B3 B3 B3 PGM C4 C2 C4 C3

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant, substantially as shown and described.