Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Fragaria ananassa.
Variety denomination: ‘PREMIER’.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety named ‘PREMIER’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made in 2001 between strawberry variety designated ‘PS-1269’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,686) and strawberry variety designated ‘PS-3003’ (unpatented) in an ongoing breeding program. The variety is botanically known as Fragaria ananassa. The new variety is distinguished from its parents primarily in fruit color.
The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was selected from a controlled breeding plot in Ventura County, Calif. in the fall of 2003. After its selection, the new variety was asexually propagated by stolons in a nursery located in San Joaquin County, Calif. The new variety was extensively tested over the next several years in fruiting fields in Ventura 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 ‘PREMIER’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the central coast of California. This region provides the necessary winter temperatures required for it to produce a strong vigorous plant and to remain in fruit production from October through December. The nearby Pacific Ocean provides the needed humidity and moderate temperatures to maintain fruit quality during the fall production months.
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘PREMIER’, which in combination distinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:
-
- 1. Medium red fruit color;
- 2. Large fruit size;
- 3. Conical to ovate fruit shape;
- 4. Large calyx;
- 5. Medium sized plant;
- 6. Medium to dark green foliage color;
- 7. Medium sized foliage;
- 8. Short fruiting trusses; and
- 9. Strong pubescence of the fruiting truss.
The strawberry variety that is believed to be most closely related to the new strawberry variety ‘PREMIER’ is ‘PS-2880’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,597). In comparison to the similar strawberry variety ‘PS-2880’, the new strawberry variety ‘PREMIER’ differs by the following combination of characteristics as described in Table 1:
TABLE 1
‘PS-2880’
(U.S. Plant Pat. No.
Characteristic ‘PREMIER’ 15,597)
1. Color of mature fruit Medium red Red
2. Average fruit weight (gm) 24.7 20.7
3. Predominant fruit shape Conical to Conical to wedged
ovate
4. Marketable yield (gm/plt) 381 457
5. Unevenness of fruit surface Absent or Medium to strong
very weak
6. Insertion of achenes Level with Above the surface
the surface
7. Attitude of calyx Spreading Spreading to reflexed
8. Plant size Medium Medium to large
9. Foliage color (upper surface) Medium to Medium to light green
dark green
10. Petiole pubescence Sparce Moderate
11. Fruiting truss length (cm) 20.3 27.1
12. Fruiting truss pubescence Strong Medium
For identification a series of AFLP molecular markers have been determined for this new variety.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new strawberry variety ‘PREMIER’, 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 ‘PREMIER’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new strawberry variety ‘PREMIER’ were taken in Ventura County, Calif., and are approximately 3 to 4 months old:
FIG. 1 shows typical fruiting field characteristics of ‘PREMIER’ taken in the month of October 2007.
FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of typical leaf structure of ‘PREMIER’ taken in the month of November 2007.
FIG. 3 shows typical mature and immature fruit of ‘PREMIER’ taken in the month of October 2007.
FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of mature fruit of ‘PREMIER’ taken in the month of October 2007.
FIG. 5 shows typical internal and external mature fruit characteristics of ‘PREMIER’ taken in the month of October 2007.
DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION ‘PREMIER’ 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 description of the new variety ‘PREMIER’, unless otherwise noted, is based on observations taken during the 2007 growing season in Ventura County, Calif. These measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘PREMIER’ dug from a low-elevation nursery located in San Joaquin County, Calif. during late January 2007 and planted approximately 6 months later in Ventura County, Calif. The approximate age of the observed plants is 3 to 4 months. Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from four years of data collected from the 2004 through 2007 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 Munsell Book of Colors, Munsell Colors, Baltimore, Md. (1976).
The following tables 2-8 describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage, fruiting truss, flower and pest disease characteristics of the new strawberry ‘PREMIER’ in comparison to the similar strawberry variety ‘PS-2880’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,597).
TABLE 2
FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS
‘PS-2880’
(U.S. Plant Pat. No.
Characteristic ‘PREMIER’ 15,597)
Color of mature fruit 7.5R 3/8 to 4/10 7.5R 4/8 to 3/8
Medium red Red
Color of internal flesh 7.5R 3/12 to 4/12 7.5R 3/12 to 4/12
Medium red Medium red
Length (cm) 4.5 4.7
Width (cm) 3.8 3.6
Ratio length/width 1.20 1.29
Slightly longer than Slightly longer than
broad broad
Calyx diameter (cm) 6.0 5.4
Average weight (gm) 24.7 20.7
Achene color 5Y 6/8 to 7.5R 3/8 5Y 6/8 to 7.5R 3/8
Ranges from medium Ranges from medium
yellow to medium red yellow to medium red
Achene weight (mg) 0.50 0.53
Achenes per berry 358 364
Marketable yield 381 457
(gm/plt)
Fruit size Large Medium
Predominant shape Ranges from conical to Ranges from conical to
ovate wedged
Difference in shapes None or very slight Moderate
between primary and
secondary fruit
Band without achenes Absent or very narrow Absent or very narrow
Unevenness of surface Absent or very weak Medium to strong
Evenness of color Ranges from slightly Ranges from even to
uneven to even slightly uneven
Glossiness Ranges from medium Ranges from medium to
to strong strong
Insertion of achenes Level with the surface Above the surface
Insertion of calyx In the basin Ranges from in the basin
to level with the fruit
Attitude of the calyx Spreading Ranges from spreading to
reflexed
Size of calyx in Much larger Slightly larger
relation to fruit
diameter
Adherence of calyx Strong Weak
Firmness of skin Medium Medium
Firmness of flesh Medium Firm
Distribution of red Marginal and central Marginal and central
color of the flesh
Hollow center Weak Ranges from strong to
expression moderate
Flavor Fair Fair to good
Soluble solids (% brix) 7.4 7.7
Time of first flowering Medium Ranges from early to
medium
Time of first Medium Ranges from early to
harvesting medium
Harvest period Late September to mid Late September to mid
December December
Type of bearing Fully everbearing Fully everbearing
TABLE 3
PLANT CHARACTERISTICS
‘PS-2880’
Characteristic ‘PREMIER’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,597)
Height (cm) 20.6 26.4
Spread (cm) 35.3 35.8
Size Medium Ranges from medium to large
Habit Globose Globose
Density Medium Medium
Vigor Medium Ranges from medium to strong
TABLE 4
STOLON CHARACTERISTICS
‘PS-2880’
Characteristic ‘PREMIER’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,597)
Average number 10.0 5.3
per plant
Anthocyanin Ranges from weak Medium
intensity to medium
Anthocyanin 7.5R 4/8 to 5/8 7.5R 4/6 to 5/6
coloration
Diameter at bract 3.8 3.3
(mm) Thick Ranges from medium to thick
Pubescence Medium Strong
TABLE 5
FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS
‘PS-2880’
(U.S. Plant Pat. No.
Characteristic ‘PREMIER’ 15,597)
Foliage:
Color of upper 7.5GY 2/4 to 3/4 7.5GY 3/4 to 4/4
surface Ranges from medium to Ranges from light to
dark green medium green
Color of under 5GY 5/4 to 6/4 5GY 5/4 to 6/4
side Light grey green Light grey green
Shape in cross Slightly concave Ranges from slightly
section concave to flat
Interveinal Medium Ranges from medium to
blistering strong
Glossiness Ranges from medium to Ranges from medium to
strong strong
Number of Three Three
leaflets
Terminal Leaflet:
Length (cm) 8.3 10.3
Width (cm) 8.1 8.8
Length/width 1.02 1.18
ratio
Serrations/leaf 22.8 22.9
Size Medium Ranges from medium to
large
Shape of base Obtuse Acute
Shape of teeth Obtuse Obtuse
Petiole:
Petiole color 2.5GY 5/6 to 5/8 5GY 6/6 to 7/6
Medium yellow green Medium yellow green
Length (cm) 12.0 13.9
Diameter (mm) 4.2 4.3
Petiolule color 2.5GY 5/6 to 5/8 5GY 6/6 to 7/6
Medium yellow green Medium yellow green
Petiolule length 10.3 15.3
(mm)
Pubescence Sparce Moderate
Attitude of hairs Slightly outward Slightly outward
Stipule:
Color 2.5GY 5/6 to 6/6 2.5GY 5/6 to 6/6
Medium yellow green Medium yellow green
Length (mm) 26.1 26.3
Width (mm) 12.3 9.2
Anthocyanin Medium Absent or very weak
intensity
Anthocyanin 10RP 4/8 to 4/10 10RP 5/6 to 5/8
color Red purple Red purple
Length (cm) 20.3 27.1
Flower position Ranges from level with Level with the foliage
relative to foliage to beneath the foliage
Anthocyanin Medium Weak
intensity
Anthocyanin 10RP 4/8 to 5/8 10RP 5/6 to 6/6
color Red purple Red purple
Pubescence Strong Medium
Attitude at first Prostrate Prostrate
pick
TABLE 6
FRUITING TRUSS CHARACTERISTICS
‘PS-2880’
(U.S. Plant Pat. No.
Characteristic ‘PREMIER’ 15,597)
Length (cm) 20.3 27.1
Flower position Ranges from level with Level with the foliage
relative to foliage to beneath the foliage
Anthocyanin instensity Medium Weak
Anthocyanin color 10RP 4/8 to 5/8 10RP 5/6 to 6/6
Red purple Red purple
Pubescence Strong Medium
Attitude at first pick Prostrate Prostrate
TABLE 7
FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS
‘PS-2880’
(U.S. Plant Pat. No.
Characteristic ‘PREMIER’ 15,597)
Petal color N 9.5/90.0% R to N 9.5/90.0% R to
9.25/84.2% R 9.25/84.2% R
White White
Corolla diameter 32.7 33.6
(mm)
Calyx diameter 39.5 34.1
(mm)
Petal length (mm) 12.8 13.0
Petal width (mm) 12.7 13.8
Petal length/width 1.01 0.95
ratio
Petals/flower 5.4 6.5
Sepal color 5GY 3/6 to 4/6 5GY 4/4 to 4/6
Medium yellow green Medium yellow green
Sepal length 15.6 12.3
(mm)
Sepal width (mm) 7.1 4.4
Sepal 2.21 2.78
length/width ratio
Sepals/flower 10.8 12.3
Size of calyx Larger Ranges from same size to
relative to corolla larger
Size of inner Smaller Smaller
calyx relative to
outer calyx
Relative position Overlapping Overlapping
of petals
TABLE 8
PEST AND DISEASE REACTIONS
‘PS-2880’
(U.S. Plant Pat. No.
Characteristic ‘PREMIER’ 15,597)
Two spotted spider mite Moderately susceptible Moderately susceptible
Lygus bug Susceptible Susceptible
Flower thrips Moderately susceptible Moderately susceptible
Powdery mildew Susceptible Susceptible
Botrytis fruit rot Moderately susceptible Moderately susceptible
Angular leaf spot Moderately susceptible Susceptible
