Strawberry plant named ‘Monterey’
This invention relates to a new and distinctive day-neutral type of strawberry designated as ‘Monterey’. ‘Monterey’ is a day-neutral (everbearing) cultivar similar to ‘Diamante’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,079) but with higher yield and better quality fruit, better disease resistance and better flavor. It is similar to ‘Albion’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,228) for fruit quality but with higher yield, and larger fruit.
Latest The Regents of the University of California Patents:
Genus and species: The strawberry cultivar of this invention is botanically identified as Fragaria×ananassa Duch.
Variety denomination: The variety denomination is ‘Monterey’.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to a new and distinctive day-neutral type cultivar designated as ‘Monterey’, which resulted from a cross performed in 2001 between the cultivar ‘Albion’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,228) and advanced selection Cal 97.85-6. ‘Monterey’ was first fruited at the University of California Wolfskill Experimental Orchard, near Winters, Calif. in 2002, where it was selected, originally designated Cal 1.132-3, and propagated asexually by runners. Following selection and during testing, the plant of this selection was designated ‘CN222’ and, later for introduction into commerce, ‘Monterey’. Asexual propagules from this original source have been tested at the Watsonville Strawberry Research Facility, the South Coast Research and Extension Center, and to a limited extent in grower fields starting in 2005.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION‘Monterey’ is a day-neutral (everbearing) cultivar similar to ‘Diamante’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,079) but with higher yield and better quality fruit, better disease resistance and better flavor; it is similar to ‘Albion’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,228) for fruit quality but with higher yield, and larger fruit.
The figures depict various characteristics of the ‘Monterey’ cultivar.
‘Monterey’ is typical of day-neutral strawberry cultivars and produces fruit regardless of day length when treated appropriately in arid, subtropical climates. ‘Monterey’ is moderate to weak in expressing the day-neutral character, being comparable in flowering response to ‘Diamante’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,435) and ‘Albion’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,228), and less so than ‘Fern’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,267) or ‘Irvine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,172). The production pattern for ‘Monterey’ is similar to that for ‘Albion’. ‘Monterey’ will be of special interest for winter plantings and in summer plantings where ‘Diamante’ and ‘Albion’ have been successful.
- Plants and foliage: Fruiting plants of ‘Monterey’ are similar in morphology to ‘Diamante’ and ‘Albion’ although much larger and more erect. ‘Monterey’ plants are substantially more open and erect than ‘Aromas’ plants. Comparative statistics for foliar characters near mid-season are given for ‘Monterey’ and the three comparison cultivars in Table 1. Individual leaflets for ‘Monterey’ are similar in shape and size to the comparison cultivars, but are somewhat less rounded. Leaves (including petioles) for ‘Monterey’ are longer than those for the comparison cultivars, mostly due to greater petiole length. Petioles are generally thicker than those of the comparison cultivars and tend to have heavy pubescence. The adaxial (upper) and abaxial (lower) surfaces of leaves for ‘Monterey’ are similar in color to the comparison cultivars at mid season. Leaves of ‘Monterey’ have consistently greater concavity than ‘Aromas’, ‘Diamante’, and ‘Albion’.
- Disease and pest reaction: ‘Monterey’ is moderately susceptible to powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis), and is moderately resistant to Anthracnose crown rot (Colletotrichum acutatum) and Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae). It is moderately susceptible to Phytophthora crown rot (Phytophthora cactorum) and common leaf spot (Ramularia tulasnei) (Table 3). When treated properly, it has tolerance to two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) equal to that for the comparison cultivars. ‘Monterey’ is tolerant to strawberry viruses encountered in California.
- Flowering, fruiting, fruit, and production characteristics: ‘Monterey’ is similar to other California day-neutral cultivars (e.g. ‘Diamante’ and ‘Albion’) in that it will flower independently of day length, given appropriate temperature and horticultural conditions. Comparative statistics for flower and fruit characters near mid-season are given for ‘Monterey’ and the three comparison cultivars in Table 4. The primary flowers for ‘Monterey’ are similar in size to the comparison cultivars with a calyx that is distinctly larger than the corolla on primary fruit. The sepals are similar in length and shape to those of the comparison cultivars, but are smaller relative to the corolla than for ‘Albion’. The calyx for ‘Monterey’ varies in position but is usually more reflexed than for ‘Aromas’ or ‘Diamante’, similar to ‘Albion’. The fruit shape for ‘Monterey’ can vary but is typically a short and either symmetrical or slightly flattened conic. It is easily distinguished by fruit shape from ‘Aromas’ (shortened and rounded conic), ‘Diamante’ (usually a flat conic) or ‘Albion’ (long conic). ‘Monterey’ usually has a greater proportion of symmetrical fruit than the comparison cultivars. External fruit color for ‘Monterey’ is similar to ‘Aromas’ or ‘Albion’, but distinctly darker than for ‘Diamante’. Internal color is somewhat darker with greater red pigment than for the comparison cultivars (Table 2). Achenes vary from yellow to dark red, but are frequently more yellow than the comparison cultivars, and are even with the fruit surface or slightly indented.
‘Monterey’ has been tested under a variety of cultural regimes, and optimal performance is obtained when nursery treatments and nutritional programs similar to those for ‘Albion’, ‘Diamante’, and ‘Aromas’ are used. In general, ‘Monterey’ is more vigorous than the comparison cultivars and is less sensitive to low chilling. ‘Monterey’ retains excellent fruit quality in summer planting systems.
When treated with appropriate planting regimes, ‘Monterey’ has larger fruit and produces greater individual-plant yield than any of the comparison cultivars (Table 5). ‘Monterey’ has a similar production pattern to ‘Albion’ with most cultural treatments, although it is substantially more adapted to early-season winter planting. Commercial appearance ratings have been similar to or better than those for all of the comparison cultivars, especially ‘Aromas’. These superior appearance scores translate directly into a larger fraction of marketable fruit than is produced by the comparison cultivars. Fruit for ‘Monterey’ is substantially firmer than fruit from ‘Aromas’, similar in firmness to the other comparison cultivars. Subjectively, ‘Monterey’ has outstanding flavor with a distinct sweet aftertaste. The fruit will be exceptional for both fresh market and processing, and will be useful for home garden purposes.
Flower measurements and fruit measurements obtained May 9-Jun. 6, 2006. Subjective observations obtained Jul. 31, 2006.
Claims
1. A new and distinct cultivar of strawberry plant having the characteristics substantially as described and illustrated herein.
Type: Grant
Filed: Jan 25, 2008
Date of Patent: Feb 24, 2009
Assignee: The Regents of the University of California (Oakland, CA)
Inventors: Douglas V. Shaw (Davis, CA), Kirk D. Larson (Irvine, CA)
Primary Examiner: Annette H Para
Attorney: Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP
Application Number: 12/011,256