Strawberry plant named ‘MERIT’

- Plant Sciences, Inc.

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘MERIT’. This new strawberry plant named ‘MERIT’ is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California, and is primarily characterized by its small fruit size; orange red to red fruit color; uniformly shaped conical berries; and small sized plant.

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Description

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Fragaria ananassa.

Variety denomination: ‘MERIT’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety named ‘MERIT’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made in 2001 in an ongoing breeding program between strawberry variety designated ‘PS-2880’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,597) and strawberry variety designated ‘PS-4630’ (a non-patented selection). 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 Ventura County, California in the fall of 2003. After its selection, the new variety was asexually propagated by stolons in both San Joaquin County, California and Siskiyou County, California. The new variety was extensively tested over the next several years in fruiting fields in Ventura County, California. 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

‘MERIT’ 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 fall production months.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘MERIT’, which in combination distinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

    • 1. Small fruit size;
    • 2. Orange-red to red fruit color;
    • 3. Uniformly shaped, conical berries;
    • 4. Small sized plant;
    • 5. Fruiting trusses that are visible above the foliage; and
    • 6. Relatively short fruiting trusses

The strawberry varieties that are believed to be most closely related to the new strawberry variety ‘MERIT’ are the strawberry variety ‘VALOR’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,394) and the strawberry variety ‘PREMIER’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,309). In side-by-side comparisons to the similar strawberry varieties ‘VALOR’ and ‘PREMIER’, the new strawberry variety ‘MERIT’ differs by the following combination of characteristics as described in Table 1:

TABLE 1 ‘VALOR’ ‘PREMIER’ Characteristic ‘MERIT’ (US PP 20,394) (US PP 20,309)  1. Color of Ranges from Ranges Ranges   mature fruit orange from red to from red to red to red dark red dark red  2. Fruit size Small Medium Medium  3. Marketable 503 529 393   yield (gm/plt)  4. Plant size Ranges Medium Medium from medium to small  5. Stolon Weak Ranges Ranges   anthocyanin from weak from weak   intensity to medium to medium  6. Stolon Weak Strong Medium   pubescence  7. Color of Medium green Ranges Ranges   upper surface from medium from medium to dark green to dark green  8. Interveinal Ranges Medium Medium   leaf blistering from medium to strong  9. Foliage gloss Medium Medium Ranges from medium to strong 10. Serrations/leaf 20.3 22.7 25.9 11. Petiole length (cm) 14.2 17.4 15.5 12. Petiolule 11.9 17.8 11.8   length (mm) 13. Terminal leaf Acute Obtuse Obtuse   shape of base 14. Fruiting 24.3 29.7 30.8   truss length   at maturity (cm) 15. Fruiting truss Medium Ranges from Strong   pubescence medium to strong

For identification a series of molecular markers have been determined for this new variety.

‘MERIT’ differs from its parents, ‘PS-2880’ and ‘PS-4630’ by the following combination of characteristics as described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 ‘PS-2880’ Characteristic ‘MERIT’ (US PP 15,597) ‘PS-4630’ 1. Fruit size Small Medium Large 3. Plant size Small Medium to large Medium to large 4. Insertion of achenes Level with Above the Level with surface surface surface 5. Type of bearing Everbearing Everbearing June bearing

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new strawberry variety ‘MERIT’, 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 descriptions which accurately describe the color of ‘MERIT’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new strawberry variety ‘MERIT’ are approximately 3 to 4 months old. The photographs were taken in Ventura County, California:

FIG. 1 shows typical fruiting field characteristics of ‘MERIT’ taken in the month of October 2009;

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of a typical leaf structure of ‘MERIT’ taken in the month of October 2009;

FIG. 3 shows typical mature and immature field fruit of ‘MERIT’ taken in the month of October 2009;

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of mature fruit of ‘MERIT’ taken in the month of November 2009;

FIG. 5 shows typical internal and external mature fruit characteristics of ‘MERIT’ taken in the month of November 2009.

 DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new variety ‘MERIT’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety ‘MERIT’ 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 ‘MERIT’, unless otherwise noted, are based on observations taken during the 2009 growing season in Ventura County, California. These measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘MERIT’ dug from a low-elevation nursery located in San Joaquin County, California during the month of January 2008 and planted approximately 6 months later in Ventura County, California. 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 2006 through 2009 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 3-9 describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage, fruiting truss, flower and pest disease characteristics of the new strawberry ‘MERIT’ in comparison to the similar strawberry variety ‘VALOR’ and strawberry variety ‘PREMIER’.

TABLE 3 FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS 'VALOR' 'PREMIER' Characteristic 'MERIT' (US PP 20,394) (US PP 20,309) Color of RHS 34B RRHS 46A RHS 46A mature fruit Ranges from Ranges from Ranges from orange red red to red to to red dark red dark red Color of RHS 34C RHS 45A RHS 45A internal flesh Orange red Ranges from Ranges from medium to medium to dark red dark red Fruit length (cm) 3.8 4.0 4.2 Fruit width (cm) 3.3 3.6 3.5 Fruit length/ 1.14 1.12 1.22 width ratio Slightly Slightly Slightly longer than longer than longer than broad broad broad Calyx 3.8 4.1 4.6 diameter (cm) Average fruit 18.1 21.5 21.9 weight (gm) Achene color, RHS 160B RHS 160A RHS 160B shaded side Greyed Greyed Greyed yellow group yellow group yellow group Achene color, RHS 184B RHS 183A RHS 183A sun exposed Greyed Greyed Greyed side purple group purple group purple group Achenes 324 331 286 per berry Achene 0.50 0.50 0.60 weight (mg) Marketable fruit 503 529 393 yield (gm/plt) Fruit Size Small Medium Medium Predominant Conical Conical Conical fruit shape Difference Slight Ranges from None to in shapes slight to very slight between primary moderate and secondary fruit Band without Absent or Absent or Absent or achenes very narrow very narrow very narrow Unevenness Absent or Weak Absent or of fruit surface very weak very weak Evenness of Even Even Ranges from fruit color slightly uneven to even Fruit glossiness Ranges from Ranges from Ranges from medium to medium to medium to strong strong strong Insertion Level with Ranges from Level with of achenes surface level with surface to below the surface Insertion In the In the In the of calyx basin basin basin Attitude of Spreading Spreading Spreading the calyx Size of calyx Slightly Slightly Much in relation to larger larger larger fruit diameter Adherence Strong Strong Strong of calyx Firmness Medium Strong Medium of fruit skin Firmness Firm Firm Medium of fruit flesh Keeping quality Very good Very good Good Distribution Marginal Marginal Marginal of red color and central and central and central of the flesh Hollow center Moderate Absent or Weak expression very weak Fruit flavor Ranges from Good Good good to very good Soluble solids 8.8 7.8 8.3 (% brix) Time of Early Medium Medium first flowering Time of Early Medium Medium first harvesting Harvest period Late Late Late September to September to September to mid December mid December mid December Type of Everbearing Everbearing Everbearing bearing

TABLE 4 PLANT CHARACTERISTICS ‘VALOR’ ‘PREMIER’ Characteristic ‘MERIT’ (US PP 20,394) (US PP 20,309) Plant height (cm) 24.1 25.9 25.6 Plant spread (cm) 29.0 31.6 33.5 Plant size Ranges from medium Medium Medium to small Plant habit Globose Globose Globose Plant density Medium Medium Medium Plant vigor Medium Medium Medium

TABLE 5 STOLON CHARACTERISTICS ‘VALOR’ ‘PREMIER’ Characteristic ‘MERIT’ (US PP 20,394) (US PP 20,309) Stolon color RHS 145A RHS 144A RHS 145A Yellow Yellow Yellow green group green group green group Stolon RHS 180D RHS 180A RHS 181 B anthocyanin Greyed Greyed Greyed coloration red group red group red group Stolon Weak Ranges Ranges anthocyanin from weak from weak intensity to medium to medium Average stolon 2.4 6.4 8.5 number per plant from the fruiting field Stolon diameter 3.1 3.3 3.6 at bract (mm) Stolon Weak Strong Medium pubescence Attitude of hairs Upwards Upwards Upwards

TABLE 6 FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS ‘VALOR’ ‘PREMIER’ Characteristic ‘MERIT’ (US PP 20,394) (US PP 20,309) Foliage: Color of RHS 137A RHS N137B RHS N137B upper surface Medium Medium to Medium to green dark green dark green Color of RHS 147C RHS 147C RHS 147C underside Yellow Yellow Yellow green group green group green group Shape in Slightly Slightly Slightly cross section concave concave to flat to flat concave Interveinal Ranges from Medium Medium blistering medium to strong Leaf Medium Medium Ranges from glossiness medium to strong Number Three Three Three of leaflets Terminal Leaflet: Length (cm) 8.9 8.6 9.6 Width (cm) 7.6 8.7 8.6 Length/ 1.18 0.99 1.11 width ratio Longer As long Longer than broad as broad than broad Serrations/leaf 20.3 22.7 25.9 Leaf size Ranges from Medium Medium medium to small Shape of base Acute Obtuse Obtuse Shape of teeth Obtuse Obtuse Obtuse Petiole: Petiole Color RHS 144A RHS 144A RHS 144A Yellow Yellow Yellow green group green group green group Petiole 14.2 17.4 15.5 length (cm) Petiole 3.4 4.2 4.3 diameter (mm) Petiolule color RHS 144A RHS 144A RHS 144A Yellow Yellow Yellow green group green group green group Petiolule 11.9 17.8 11.8 length (mm) Petiole Moderate Sparce Sparce pubescence Attitude Strongly Strongly Strongly of hairs outward outward outward Stipule: Color RHS 146A RHS 146A RHS 146B Yellow Yellow Yellow green group green group green group Anthocyanin RHS 63A RHS 61A RHS 61A coloration Red purple Red purple Red purple group group group Anthocyanin Weak Weak Medium intensity Length (mm) 22.2 21.3 24.8 Width (mm) 8.6 10.4 11.3

TABLE 7 FRUITING TRUSS CHARACTERISTICS ‘VALOR’ ‘PREMIER’ Characteristic ‘MERIT’ (US PP 20,394) (US PP 20,309) Anthocyanin RHS 181D RHS 181C RHS 181B coloration Greyed Greyed Greyed red group red group red group Anthocyanin Absent or Absent or Medium intensity very weak very weak Length at 24.3 29.7 30.8 maturity (cm) Position Above the Level with Ranges from relative foliage the foliage level with to to foliage beneath the foliage Pubescence Medium Ranges from Strong medium to strong Attitude at Prostrate Prostrate Prostrate first pick

TABLE 8 FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS ‘VALOR’ ‘PREMIER’ Characteristic ‘MERIT’ (US PP 20,394) (US PP 20,309) Petal color RHS NN155C RHS NN155C RHS NN155C White White White Sepal color RHS 137A RHS 137A RHS 137A Green group Green group Green group Corolla 31.0 30.1 35.3 diameter (mm) Calyx 29.8 31.2 33.9 diameter (mm) Petal 11.7 11.3 13.4 length (mm) Petal 12.0 11.1 12.7 width (mm) Petal length/ 0.98 1.02 1.05 width ratio Petals/flower 6.2 5.7 5.8 Sepal 11.0 10.5 12.3 length (mm) Sepal 3.2 4.7 5.8 width (mm) Sepal length/ 3.41 2.23 2.11 width ratio Sepals/flower 11.8 11.4 11.6 Size of calyx Ranges from Larger Larger relative to same size corolla to smaller Size of Smaller Smaller Smaller inner calyx relative to outer calyx Relative Overlapping Ranges from Overlapping position touching to of petals overlapping

TABLE 9 PEST AND DISEASE REACTIONS ‘VALOR’ ‘PREMIER’ Characteristic ‘MERIT’ (US PP 20,394) (US PP 20,309) Two spotted spider mite Moderately Moderately Moderately susceptible susceptible susceptible Flower thrips Moderately Moderately Moderately susceptible susceptible susceptible Powdery mildew Moderately Susceptible Susceptible susceptible Botrytis fruit rot Moderately Moderately Moderately susceptible susceptible susceptible Angular leaf spot Moderately Moderately Susceptible resistant susceptible

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Fragaria ananassa named ‘MERIT’, as herein described and illustrated by the characteristics set forth above.

Referenced Cited
Other references
  • Printout of application information from Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) website for corresponding CPVO application No. 2011/0145 filed Jan. 21, 2011 (1 page). (http://www.cpvoextranet.cpvo.europa.eu).
Patent History
Patent number: PP23745
Type: Grant
Filed: Dec 10, 2010
Date of Patent: Jul 16, 2013
Patent Publication Number: 20120151646
Assignees: Plant Sciences, Inc. (Watsonville, CA), Berry R&D, Inc. (Watsonville, CA)
Inventors: Stephen M. Ackerman (Salinas, CA), Steven D. Nelson (Watsonville, CA), Michael D. Nelson (Watsonville, CA)
Primary Examiner: Annette Para
Application Number: 12/926,805
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Everbearing (PLT/209)
International Classification: A01H 5/00 (20060101);