Strawberry plant named ‘San Andreas’

Info

Patent number: PP19975
Type: Grant
Filed: Jan 25, 2008
Date of Patent: May 12, 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: 12/011,335

Abstract

This invention relates to a new and distinctive day-neutral type of strawberry designated as ‘San Andreas’. ‘San Andreas’ is a day-neutral (everbearing) cultivar similar to ‘Diamante’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,435) 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 and more attractive fruit.

Description

Description

Genus and species:

The strawberry cultivar of this invention is botanically identified as Fragaria ×ananassa Duch.

Variety denomination: The variety denomination is ‘San Andreas’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinctive day-neutral type cultivar designated as ‘San Andreas’, which resulted from a cross performed in 2001 between the cultivar ‘Albion’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,228) and advanced selection Cal 97.86-1. ‘San Andreas’ was first fruited at the University of California Wolfskill Experimental Orchard, near Winters, Calif. in 2002, where it was selected, originally designated Cal 1.139-2, and propagated asexually by runners. Following selection and during testing, the plant of this selection was designated ‘CN223’ and, later for introduction into commerce, ‘San Andreas’. 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

‘San Andreas’ is a day-neutral (everbearing) cultivar similar to ‘Diamante’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,435) 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 and more attractive fruit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures depict various characteristics of the ‘San Andreas’ cultivar.

FIG. 1 shows the general flowering and fruiting characteristics of the plant in a field planting.

FIG. 2 shows a typical leaf at mid-season.

FIG. 3 shows representative mid-season fruit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

‘San Andreas’ is typical of day-neutral strawberry cultivars and produces fruit regardless of day length when treated appropriately in and, subtropical climates. ‘San Andreas’ 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 ‘San Andreas’ is similar to that for ‘Albion’. ‘San Andreas’ 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 ‘San Andreas’ are similar in morphology to ‘Diamante’ and ‘Albion’ although somewhat larger early in the season. ‘San Andreas’ plants are similar in appearance to plants of ‘Aromas’, but more compact and smaller throughout the season. Comparative statistics for foliar characters near mid-season are given for ‘San Andreas’ and the three comparison cultivars in Table I. Individual leaflets for ‘San Andreas’ are similar in shape and size to the comparison cultivars, but are somewhat longer than broad, and less rounded. Leaves (including petioles) for ‘San Andreas’ are longer than those for ‘Diamante’ and ‘Albion’, mostly due to greater petiole length. Petioles are generally thinner than those of the comparison cultivars and tend to have heavy pubescence. The adaxial (upper) and abaxial (lower) surfaces of leaves for ‘San Andreas’ are similar in color to the comparison cultivars at mid season, but slightly darker early in the season. Leaves of ‘San Andreas’ have similar concavity to ‘Aromas’, ‘Diamante’, and ‘Albion’.

Disease and pest reaction:

‘San Andreas’ is moderately resistant to powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis), Anthracnose crown rot (Colletotrichum acutatum), Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae), 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. ‘San Andreas’ is tolerant to strawberry viruses encountered in California.

TABLE 1 Foliar and plant characteristics for ‘San Andreas’, ‘Aromas’, ‘Diamante’, and ‘Albion’. Cultivar Foliar ‘San Character ‘Aromas’ ‘Diamante’ ‘Albion’ Andreas’ Plant height (mm) mean 272 220 223 250 range 240-300 190-240 170-290 210-290 Plant spread (mm) mean 323 316 295 323 range 300-360 265-385 270-315 300-340 Mid-tier leaflet Length (mm) mean 79 78 70 75 range 70-90 60-90 60-80 70-90 Width (mm) mean 74 77 68 69 range 70-80 55-90 60-80 60-80 Mid-tier leaf Length (mm) mean 113 99 99 114 range 100-120 80-120 90-110 90-160 Width (mm) mean 135 134 122 117 range 120-150 90-150 105-135 100-140 Leaf components Petiole length (mm) mean 174 114 122 164 range 140-210 100-130 95-180 130-200 Petiole diameter (mm) mean 4.5 5.2 4.9 4.0 range 4-6 4-7 4-6 3-5 Petiolule length (mm) mean 6.6 5.2 6.7 5.4 range 4.3-7.5 4.0-7.6 5.0-8.0 3-8 # leaflets/leaf 3 3 3 3 Leaf convexity some flat, some flat, some flat, some flat, most slight most slight most slight most slight concave concave concave concave Serrations number/leaf 19.9 20.2 23.3 20.8 range 16-24 16-24 21-27 18-24 shape rounded to rounded to semi-pointed semi-pointed semi-pointed semi-pointed Leaf moderate moderate- moderate moderate- pubescence heavy heavy Petiole Moderate- heavy heavy heavy pubescence heavy density direction perpendic- perpendic- perpendic- perpendic- ular ular ular ular Petiole color 5 GY 8/8 7.5 GY 9/4 5 GY 8/8 5 GY 8/8 (Munsell) Stipule length (mm) mean 34.2 31.6 32.5 32.8 range 30-39 22-36 24-37 18-42 Stipule color core 7.5 GY 8/7 7.5 GY 8/7 5 GY 8/7 7.5 GY 8/7 margins 2.5 GY 9/3 5 GY 6/8 5 GY 6/8 7.5 GY 6/8 Stolon base 3.0 3.2 3.0 3.0 diameter (mm) Stolons per 33.0 29.0 26.9 28.4 nursery mother plant Venation pattern pinnate pinnate pinnate pinnate color 2.5 GY 5/5 10 GY 5/5 2.5 GY 6/8 2.5 Y 6/8

Flowering, fruiting, fruit, and production characteristics:

‘San Andreas’ 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 ‘San Andreas’ and the three cultivars in Table 4. The primary flowers for ‘San Andreas’ are slightly larger than those of 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. The calyx for ‘San Andreas’ varies in position but is usually more reflexed than for ‘Aromas’ or ‘Diamante’, similar to that of ‘Albion’. The fruit shape for ‘San Andreas’ can vary, but is typically a medium to long and highly symmetrical conic. It is easily distinguished by fruit shape from ‘Aromas’ (shortened and rounded conic), ‘Diamante’ (usually a flat conic) or ‘Albion’ (long conic). ‘San Andreas’ usually has a greater proportion of symmetrical fruit than the comparison cultivars, especially early in the fruiting season. External fruit color for ‘San Andreas’ is slightly lighter than ‘Aromas’ or ‘Albion’, 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 usually red, and range from even with the fruit surface to slightly indented.

‘San Andreas’ 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, ‘San Andreas’ is more vigorous than the comparison cultivars and is less sensitive to low chilling. ‘San Andreas’ retains excellent fruit quality in summer planting systems.

When treated with appropriate planting regimes, ‘San Andreas’ has larger fruit and produces greater individual-plant yield than any of the comparison cultivars (Table 5). ‘San Andreas’ 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 substantially higher 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 ‘San Andreas’ is substantially firmer than fruit from ‘Aromas’, similar in firmness to the other comparison cultivars. Subjectively, ‘San Andreas’ has outstanding flavor very similar to that of ‘Albion’. The fruit will be exceptional for both fresh market and processing, and will be useful for home garden purposes.

TABLE 2 Foliar and fruit color characteristics for ‘San Andreas’ and three comparison cultivars Cultivar Color ‘San Character ‘Aromas’ ‘Diamante’ ‘Albion’ Andreas’ Leaf color (CIELAB) Adaxial L* mean 35.1 34.8 34.7 33.4 range 32.7-37.7 32.6-36.8 32.8-36.7 28.1-36.0 a* mean −10.6 −10.4 −9.8 −9.1 range −82-−14.0 −8.7-−11.9 −9.4-−11.3 −8.6-−10.0 b* mean 13.8 13.8 12.8 11.7 range 11.2-18.1 12.2-16.6 10.7-15.6 10.4-13.8 Munsell 7.5 GY 4/4 5 GY 4/3 5 GY 4/3 2.5 GY 4/3 Abaxial L* mean 52.4 51.1 50.6 50.2 range 50.6-54.1 49.7-52.2 43.7-53.1 47.8-52.8 a* mean −11.6 −12.8 −12.4 −12.5 range −10.7-−13.6 −11.6-−14.9 −8.6-−11.4 −12.0-−12.9 b* mean 17.3 19.5 17.2 18.5 range 14.3-23.2 15.3-23.5 14.5-19.6 17.3-21.5 Munsell 10 GY 7/8 7.5 GY 6/8 7.5 GY 8/7 5 GY 5/6 Fruit color (CIELAB) External L* mean 34.2 40.8 36.5 36.0 range 31.2-38.3 35.5-45.4 32.8-40.1 31.8-39.4 a* mean 33.9 36.7 33.3 36.0 range 31.5-38.6 35.6-40.2 28.3-36.2 34.9-43.6 b* mean 14.1 21.2 17.6 18.4 range 9.1-16.5 18.8-25.7 12.2-24.9 13.2-22.9 Munsell 2.5 R 4/10 5 R 5/13 5 R 3/7 5 R 4/12 Internal L* mean 61.6 65.6 57.9 59.0 range 59.5-67.7 58.8-67.2 43.3-62.9 53.2-60.3 a* mean 14.7 5.6 19.0 23.3 range 7.6-19.2 3.0-9.5 7.9-27.7 19.3-31.2 b* mean 20.2 15.8 21.0 24.4 range 16.1-22.5 14.5-18.2 13.2-27.2 18.5-28.9 Munsell 5 R 6/11 10 R 7/9 7.5 R 4/11 7.5 R 5/13 Achene color 7.5 R 4/11 7.5 R 4/11 10 R 5/6 5 R 3/7 Munsell *CIELAB is the abbreviation of the international color system known as “Commission Internationale De L'Eclairage” 1978. For recommendations concerning uniform color spaces, color difference equations, and psychometric color terms, see Supplement No. 2 of CIE Publication No. 15, Paris.

TABLE 3 Disease resistance scores for ‘San Andreas’ and three comparison cultivars; Phytophthora and Verticillium scores were obtained in evaluations conducted in 2004-2006, Colletotrichum was evaluated in 2005-2006. Phytophthora Verticillium Colletotrichum Resistance Score Resistance Score Resistance Score Genotype (5 = best) (5 = best) (5 = best ‘Aromas’ 4.0 4.5 2.4 ‘Diamante’ 2.0 2.8 2.6 ‘Albion’ 4.3 3.8 3.1 ‘San Andreas’ 3.8 3.8 2.8

TABLE 4 Flower and fruit characters for ‘San Andreas’ and three comparison cultivars. Cultivar ‘San Character ‘Aromas’ ‘Diamante’ ‘Albion’ Andreas’ Petal number mean 5.5 5.4 5.6 6.6 range 5-7 5-6 5-7 5-7 Petal shape apex truncate to truncate to truncate to truncate to slightly slightly slightly slightly obtuse obtuse obtuse obtuse base attenuate attenuate attenuate attenuate margin entire entire entire entire Petal length (mm) mean 10.1 9.2 9.6 11.7 range 8-11 7-13 8-11 9-14 Petal width (mm) mean 11.8 10.6 9.0 12.8 range 10-13 10-13 7-10 11-14 Flower position most even most even most most (relative to some some exposed, exposed, foliage) exposed internal and some even some even exposed Calyx diam. (mm) mean 31.3 32.0 37.5 37.5 range 28-33 25-41 31-48 34-45 Corolla diam. (mm) mean 31.2 23.9 27.8 34.4 range 26-35 18-31 23-33 27-44 Sepal length (mm) mean 12.3 12.1 14.1 13.2 range 8-15 10-15 11-18 11-16 Sepal width (mm) mean 6.4 6.7 6.6 8.0 range 3-9 5-9 4-10 6-10 Sepal color 7.5 GY 6/8 5 GY 5/6 2.5 GY 6/8 7.5 GY 6/8 (Munsell) Pedicel length (mm) mean 172 140 218 221 range 112-230 110-165 180-270 200-240 Pedicel diameter (mm) mean 4.4 5.3 3.1 3.7 range 4-6 4-6 2-4 3-5 Pedicel color 5 GY 6/8 5 GY 7/10 5 GY 6/8 7.5 GY 6/8 Fruit shape Fruit length (mm) mean 46.6 46.4 61.7 58.0 range 42-52 39-50 50-76 46-68 Fruit width (mm) mean 39.4 40.7 46.6 44.3 range 37-43 38-46 37-52 40-48 Length/width ratio 1.2 1.1 1.3 1.3 range 1.0-1.4 1.0-1.2 1.2-1.5 1.1-1.4 subjective mostly rounded to most long medium-long medium to flat conic symmetrical symmetrical short flat conic conic conic Primary/ secondary fruit comparison size 60-80% 60-80% 60-70% 60-80% (subjective) shape similar shape similar shape similar shape similar shape Extent/size of small-absent small-absent small- Medium hollow core medium Calyx position indented- even- even- often even with indented reflexed reflexed neck size relative to equal or equal or equal or equal or fruit greater than greater than greater than greater than fruit fruit fruit fruit diameter diameter diameter diameter Seed position indented- indented- indented- indented- extruded even extruded slightly extruded Adherence of intermediate intermediate intermediate intermediate Calyx to Fruit

Flower measurements and fruit measurements obtained May 9Jun. 6, 2006. Subjective observations obtained Jul. 31, 2006.

TABLE 5 Performance ‘San Andreas’and three comparison cultivars evaluated at the Watsonville Research Facility in 2005-7. All plants for these trials were harvested from a commercial nursery near Macdoel, CA on October 15-16, and transplanted after 18-21 days supplemental storage. Fruit harvest was initiated in early April and continued through the first week of October. (52″ 2-row beds, 17,300 plants/acre). Appearance Fruit Yield Score Size Item (g/plant) (5 = best) (g/fruit) Firmness ‘Aromas’ 3,108 3.1 27.0 9.6 ‘Diamante’ 2,653 3.5 31.2 11.0 ‘Albion’ 2,461 3.9 30.5 11.1 ‘San Andreas’ 3,293 4.4 31.6 11.5

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of strawberry plant having the characteristics substantially as described and illustrated herein.