Strawberry plant named ‘Scarlet’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘Scarlet’. This new short day strawberry variety is partially remontant and is characterized by vigorous plants which produce very firm, long conical fruit having an attractive shape and large size, with a sweet strawberry flavor, and a very desirable lighter orange red exterior color.

Description

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

Variety denomination: ‘Scarlet’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry named ‘Scarlet’. This new short day strawberry variety is the result of a controlled cross in an ongoing breeding program made by the inventor, Jimmy Bagdasarian, in 2008. The variety is botanically known as Fragaria×ananassa.

The primary market for the ‘Scarlet’ variety is for the fresh market sales of the fruit. ‘Scarlet’ produces conical berries with few creases, which are large size and very firm.

2. Description of Relevant Prior Art

The controlled cross, conducted in the ongoing breeding program, which resulted in the ‘Scarlet’ variety, was between a strawberry variety designated ‘2F72’, a male, and a strawberry variety designated ‘16F29’, a female. The male parent, ‘2F72’, is an unreleased proprietary variety having the following plant characteristics: strong short day variety; compact growth habit; medium vigor; leaves have medium glossiness with some blistering, and are slightly lighter in color than that of the female parent; somewhat irregular shaped fruit has a good flavor, and is very firm. The variety denomination of ‘16F29’, the female parent, is ‘Sweet Ann’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,472). The plant characteristics of ‘Sweet Ann’ are: day-neutral; globose with open plant density; strong vigor; leaves have medium glossiness with weak or absent blistering; with large size, conical fruit having a glossy medium red exterior and interior color.

The aforementioned controlled cross was carried out in a breeding program at Santa Cruz, Calif., USA. Pollen taken from a male ‘2F72’ plant pollinated a ‘16F29’ female plant. The flowers were covered so that no other pollen could contaminate the procedure.

Strawberries developed, were later harvested and the seeds resulting from this cross were extracted and germinated in a greenhouse at Redding, Calif., USA. The resulting seedlings were transplanted to Shastina, Calif. in 2009, grown for an additional period of time and allowed to propagate asexually. Plants were then harvested and planted in breeding plots in early to mid-October in: Oxnard, Calif. (Ventura County); and Watsonville, Calif. (Monterey County). The selection of the new variety was first made in Watsonville, Calif. This selection was designated ‘17J34’ in 2010. The new variety was later named ‘Scarlet’.

The new variety was further propagated asexually by stolons in breeding plots in: Macdoel, Calif. (Siskiyou County); and Manteca, Calif. (San Joaquin County).

The new variety has also been “meristemed.” Small pieces of plant material (approximately 0.5 mm in diameter), consisting of the undifferentiated meristem tissue and one or two leaf primordia, were removed from the buds on crowns of young daughter plants, then placed on nutrient medium, and new plants were grown from them. Planting stock from the “meristemed” plants are growing in a screenhouse located in Redding, Calif.

The propagules of ‘Scarlet’ (‘17J34’) are identical to the original plant in all distinguishing characteristics; accordingly, the propagation has demonstrated that the traits disclosed herein remain fixed and true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Scarlet is a short day variety exhibiting the following combination of characteristics, which have been observed repeatedly, and which distinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

• • 1. The variety produces large sized fruit;
  • 2. The fruit is long conic, with few creases;
  • 3. The fruit has a light to medium orange red exterior and a light red interior;
  • 4. The fruit is sweet tasting, with excellent flavor;
  • 5. The fruit is firm with superior retention of quality, appearance, and texture;
  • 6. The plants of the variety are characterized by medium high vigor, with a large root system, and a semi-upright growth pattern; and,
  • 7. The variety is partially remontant.

The fruit produced by the ‘Scarlet’ plant variety is larger than that of its male parent ‘2F72’. ‘Scarlet’ produces fruit which is large and sweet, but slightly smaller than its female parent ‘Sweet Ann’. However, the fruit of ‘Scarlet’ is firmer than the fruit of ‘Sweet Ann’.

The fruit of ‘Scarlet’ demonstrates other characteristics and qualities that are desired by fresh market strawberry sales companies. The lighter, medium orange red color is preferred by many shippers of fresh strawberries, as the deeper colored berries are more likely to be viewed as overripe by buyers than the lighter colored berries. In addition, ‘Scarlet’ plants have been grown in experimental plots with the fruit harvested and held in refrigeration; the fruit of ‘Scarlet’ retained its firmness, color, gloss, and quality even after seven (7) days holding time.

The plant vigor of ‘Scarlet’ is medium high with a large root system which provides an advantage over lower vigor varieties which require high fertility inputs to achieve similar vigor levels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying color photographs, identified as FIGS. 1 through 7, show the appearance of typical specimens of the new strawberry variety, initially designated ‘17J34’, and now named ‘Scarlet’. These Figures depict the colors, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible given differences in color illustrations of this character. Accordingly, color in the photographs may differ slightly from the colors discussed in the botanical description. The photographs of the depicted plant, plant parts, and fruit of ‘Scarlet’ were taken in July of 2012.

FIG. 1 shows typical leaf and petiole structures of ‘Scarlet’ at mid-season;

FIG. 2 shows typical leaf structure;

FIG. 3 shows a selection of typical mid-season fruit;

FIG. 4 shows typical fruit shape and calyx position over the berry of ‘Scarlet’;

FIG. 5 shows a transverse cross-section of typical fruit internal coloration and core size;

FIG. 6 shows calyx shape and relationship to fruit at mid-season; and,

FIG. 7 shows typical fruiting plants in a field.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

‘Scarlet’ is a new and distinct variety of strawberry, genus and species Fragaria×ananassa. It is the result of a cross between its male parent, ‘2F72’, an unreleased proprietary variety, and ‘Sweet Ann’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,472, its female parent. ‘2F72’ is a strong short-day variety with partially remontant tendencies and ‘Sweet Ann’ is a day-neutral variety. ‘Scarlet’ is a short-day variety that is partially remontant. Mother plants have been observed blooming in production fields, but bloom only once in a high elevation nursery, consistent with a short-day variety. The plants of the new variety have a semi-upright growth habit, with medium high vigor and a large root system. ‘Scarlet’ exhibits several characteristics which are improvements over one or both of its parent varieties, and/or other known cultivars. The characteristics of ‘Scarlet’ were observed in plants aged four to eight months from planting. These characteristics and comparisons with other cultivars are discussed following. The fruiting pattern of ‘Scarlet’ is similar to that of ‘Sweet Ann’. While the fruit size of ‘Scarlet’ is large, it is slightly smaller than the large fruit produced by ‘Sweet Ann.’ The fruit produced by ‘Scarlet’ is not as uniform, however, as that produced by ‘Sweet Ann’. The slightly smaller size of fruit of ‘Scarlet’ does provide an advantage when grown in Northern California production areas where early risk of rain damage is high.

The fruit produced by ‘2F72’ is irregular in shape with creasing down the sides. ‘Scarlet’ produces fruit with some creasing, but which is long conical like the female parent, ‘Sweet Ann’. The fruit of ‘Scarlet’ ripens more evenly from the tip to the shoulders of the berry, resulting in a more uniform red color over the whole fruit. In contrast, the shoulders of the fruit of ‘Sweet Ann’ are the last portion to ripen. The fruit of ‘Scarlet’ is also firmer than the fruit ‘Sweet Ann’. The fruit of ‘Scarlet’ holds very well in storage with less visible fruit bruising than observed with the fruit of many other varieties.

The data set forth for ‘Scarlet’ in Tables 1, 2, and 3 respecting the new variety was collected in August 2012 from plants grown at the test plot, in Prunedale, Monterey County, Calif. Color terminology where noted herein for ‘Scarlet’ and ‘Sweet Ann’ is in accordance with the Panton Color Formula Guide GP 1201.

In Table 1, the observed characteristics of ‘Scarlet’ are set forth.

TABLE 1
Detailed Description of Characteristics of ‘Scarlet’
SPECIFICATION:
Genus/Species              FragariaxAnanassa.
Market name                Strawberry.
PARENTS:
Male                       Proprietary variety ‘2F72’ (unpatented).
Female                     ‘Sweet Ann’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.22,472).
PLANT:
Type                       Short Day.
Growth habit               Semi-upright.
Foliage density            Dense.
Vigor                      Medium high.
Height                     Average: 33.5 cm; range: 29 cm to 38 cm.
Width                      Average: 41.8 cm; range: 37 cm to 51 cm.
Crowns                     Multiple crowns produced early after planting.
Disease tolerance          Test plants, grown in plots in areas with
                           disease pressure, have shown excellent toler-
                           ance. In early- observations of-plants grown in
                           a coastal California area, plants have exhibit-
                           ed excellent tolerance to Fusarium
                           oxysporum (Fusarium wilt) as compared to
                           ‘Monterey’ cultivar plants grown in,the
                           same area.
LEAF:
Width                      Average: 19.1cm; range: 15 cm to 23.5 cm.
Color                      Adaxial Surface: green 364 C.
                           Abaxial Surface: green 364 U.
Pubescence                 Medium density.
Inter-vein blistering      Low.
Glossiness                 Medium-high.
Variegation                None.
TERMINAL LEAFLET:
Length                     Average: 9.96 cm.
Width                      Average: 7.35 cm.
Ratio length to width      1.36.
Margin                     Serrate to obtuse.
Leaf shape                 Orbicular.
Base shape                 Acute to obtuse.
Cross-section shape        Concave.
PETIOLE:
Pubescence                 Medium to low density; direction: almost
                           perpendicular.
Petiole color              Green 380 U.
Petiole length             Average: 23.25 cm.
Petiole diameter           Average: 4.44 mm.
STIPULE:
Stipule anthocyanin        Present, but mild.
coloration
Length                     Average: 31.1 mm; range 22.2 to 35.4 mm.
Width                      Average: 15.9 mm range 8.6 to 26.9 mm.
STOLON:
Number produced.           Average: 16.8; range: 14 to 22.
Stolon anthocyanin         Present; mediwn intensity.
Pubescence                 Medium high; up-wards direction.
Diameter                   Average 4.0 mm; range: 3.5 mm to 4.4 mm.
INFLORESCENCE:
Flowering time             Moderately early.
Position                   Primary bract at or below. foliage with bloom
                           above foliage.
Number of blooms           Average: 5; range: 3 to 7.
Length                     Fruiting clusters mid-season: average 37.65
                           cm; range: 33 cm to 44.5 cm.
Flower                     Average diameter: 34.27 mm;. range:
                           27.1 mm to 39.9 mm.
Petal arrangement          Overlapping.
Petal                      Average number per flower: 6; range: 5 to 7.
Petal Length               Average: 13.34 mm; range: -10.9 mm to
                           16.8 mm.
Petal Width                Average: 13.04 mm; range: 10.9 mm to
                           15.11 mm.
Ratio length to width      1.02.
Petal Color                Upper side: white, 11-4201 TPX.
Calyx                      Size in relation to corolla: approximately
                           equal.
Calyx color                Adaxial Surface: green 364 U.
                           Abaxial Surface: green 370 U.
Stamens                    Average number: 26.6; range 23 to 33.
Pedicel                    Attitude of hairs is upwards.
FRUIT:
Bearing                    Partially remontant.
Shape                      Long conical.
Length                     Average: 5.26 cm; range: 4.0 cm to 7.0 cm.
Width                      Average: 4.41 cm; range: 3.5 cm to 5.5 cm.
Ratio length to width      1.20.
Size                       Average grams per berry: 39.92 g.
Achenes                    Approximately level with the fruit surface.
Glossiness                 Strong.
External color             Orange red 179 C.
Internal color             Flesh, excluding core: red 178 C.
Evenness of external color To the top of berry.
Width of band at top       Small.
devoid of achenes
Fruit center               Little to some hollowness.
Firmness                   Very firm.
Yield                      Average grams per plant: 1,483 g.

In Tables 2 and 3, the characteristics of ‘Scarlet’ are compared with the varieties ‘Sweet Ann’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,472) and ‘Albion’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,228). In Table 4, comparison is made between ‘Scarlet’ and several commercially grown cultivars. Color terminology where noted herein respecting all cultivars except ‘Albion’ is in accordance with the Panton Color Formula Guide. Color terminology respecting ‘Albion’ is in reference to the Munsell color system.

PLANTS AND FOLIAGE

The form and structure of the plants of ‘Scarlet’ are semi-upright with dense foliage. In comparison, ‘Sweet Ann’ plants are erect and open. The ‘Scarlet’ variety is slightly shorter than those of ‘Sweet Ann’. The plants of ‘Scarlet’, like those of its parent ‘Sweet Ann’, are vigorous and are large in comparison to many other commercial cultivars grown in fresh strawberry production fields in California. In Table 2, comparative data for foliar characteristics are presented for ‘Scarlet’ and for two comparison cultivars, ‘Sweet Ann’ and ‘Albion’

TABLE 2
Foliar Characteristics of ‘Scarlet’Compared to
‘Sweet Ann’ and ‘Albion’
Foliar			Cultivar
Characteristic		‘Scarlet’	‘Sweet Ann’	‘Albion’
Plant height (mm)	Average	335	380	252
	Range	290-380	290-480	210-270
Plant spread (mm)	Average	418	420	341
	Range	370-510	330-510	304-394
Leaf width (mm)	Average	191	165	135
	Range	150-235	130-195	105-170
Mid-tier leaflet	Average	100	88	73
length (mm)	Range	95-130	72-105	50-95
Mid-tier leaflet	Average	74	67	68
width (mm)	Range	70-91	52-88	50-95
Petiole length	Average	233	220	105
(mm)	Range	190-280	150-280	70-130
Petiole diameter	Average	4.44	3.74	4.1
(mm)	Range	3.60-4.90	3.01-4.29	3.7-4.6
Number leaflets per leaf	3	3	3
Leaf convexity		Concave	Slight	Some flat,
			concave	most slight
				concave
Shape leaflet base		Acute to obtuse	Obtuse	Obtuse
Leaf pubescence		Medium	Medium	Light-
		density	density	moderate
Petiole pubescence		Medium to	Medium-	Heavy
		low density	density	density
Direction		Nearly	Perpen-	Perpen-
		Perpendicular	dicular	dicular
Stipule length (mm)	Average	31.1	Not available	23.3
	Range	22.2-35.4		14-34
Stipule anthocyanin	Weak yes	Weak yes	Yes
coloration
Leaf margins	Serrate to	Commonly	Semi-
	obtuse	crenate	pointed
Leaf color adaxial surface	364 C.	364 U	5GY 5/6
Leaf color abaxial surface	364 U	370 U	5GY 4/4
Petiole color	380 U	383 U	5GY 7/10
Leaf surface blistering	Low	Very weak	Medium
Leaf surface glossiness	High	Medium	Low

FLOWERING AND FRUIT

‘Scarlet’ is a short-day variety that is partially remontant. The primary flowers of ‘Scarlet’ are larger than those of ‘Sweet Ann’ and those of ‘Albion’. The flowers of ‘Scarlet’ exhibit five to seven petals per bloom, similar to ‘Sweet Ann’ and ‘Albion’ which also exhibit variation, with flowers ranging from five to six for ‘Sweet Ann’ and five to eight petals per bloom for ‘Albion’. In ‘Scarlet’, the calyx is similar to ‘Sweet Ann’.

The exterior color of the fruit of ‘Scarlet’ tends toward orange red and is slightly lighter than that of ‘Sweet Ann’ and lighter than the deeper colored ‘Albion’ fruit. The interior color of the fruit of ‘Scarlet’ is also lighter than that of ‘Sweet Ann’ and of ‘Albion’ fruit. The fruit of ‘Scarlet’ has excellent culinary qualities, including: desirable shape and size, lighter red color than ‘Albion’, and a sweet strawberry flavor.

In Table 3, comparative data for flower and fruit characteristics for ‘Scarlet’, ‘Sweet Ann’ and ‘Albion’ are set forth.

TABLE 3
Flower and Fruit Characteristics of
‘Scarlet’ Compared to ‘Sweet Ann’ and ‘Albion’
		Cultivar
Characteristic	‘Scarlet’	‘Sweet Ann’	‘Albion’
Petal number	5-7	5-6	5-8
Petal length	13.34	11.21	12.7
(mm): Average
Petal length (mm): Range	10.9-16.8	9.2-13.13	11-15
Petal width (mm): Average	13.04	11.05	12.6
Petal width (mm): Range	10.9-15.11	9.0-13.10	11-14.0
Position of flower	most	most exposed,	most exposed,
(relative to foliage)	exposed	some even	some even
Pedicel length	377	330	113
(mm): Average
Pedicel length	330-445	240-420	83-190
(mm): Range
Sepal color: Adaxial	364 U	364 U	7.5GY 4/4
Sepal color: Abaxial	370 U	370 U	7.5GY 4/4
Corolla diameter	34-37	30.34	27
(mm): Average
Corolla diameter	27.1-39.9	27.03-32.94	25-30
(mm): Range
Fruit color: External	179 C.	185 C.	5R 3/7
Fruit color: Internal	178 C.	1788 C.	7.5R 3/6

The leaf and fruit color of ‘Scarlet’ is readily distinguished from that of several other commercially grown strawberry varieties. Table 4 shows the visually observed characteristics of the leaf and fruit colors of ‘Scarlet’ as compared to the leaf and fruit color characteristics of ‘Sweet Ann’, ‘Chandler’, ‘Camarosa’, ‘Albion’, and ‘Catalina’.

TABLE 4
Comparison of Leaf and Fruit Colors of ‘Scarlet’ to Other Cultivars
	Color	Color	Color	Color
Cultivar	Adaxial Leaf	Abaxial Leaf	External Fruit	Internal Fruit
‘Scarlet’	364 C.	364 U	179 C.	178 C.
‘Sweet Ann’	364 U	370 U	185 C.	1788 C.
‘Chandler’	343 C.	339 U	186 C.	179 C.
‘Camarosa’	349 C.	348 U	193 C.	185 C.
‘Albion’	5GY 3/2	5GY 5/6	5R 3/7	7.5R 3/6
‘Catalina’	343 C.	349 U	193 C.	185 C.

Leaf samples from ‘Scarlet’, along with two advanced proprietary (unpatented) selections from the breeding program: ‘42J4’ and ‘33K46’, were submitted to a lab for allelic fingerprint comparison to the control variety, “Camarosa,” and the over two hundred other varieties of strawberry in its data base. The allelic fingerprint analysis establishes that ‘Scarlet’ is distinct and unique compared to the lab's large database of allelic fingerprints. Table 5 below sets forth the test results:

TABLE 5
Allelic Fingerprint Analysis
	Cultivar	M1	M2	M3
	‘42.14’	202, 204,	188, 216, 232	235, 241,
		206, 229		245, 269
	‘Scarlet’ ‘17J34’	204, 206,	173, 190, 232	231, 243,
		214, 229		245, 265, 269
	‘33K46’	206, 224, 229	188, 190,	235, 241,
			216, 232	245, 265
	‘Camarosa’	214, 222,	188, 190,	247, 265
		224, 229	216, 232

PERFORMANCE

Performance with respect to fruit size, yield, and appearance for ‘Scarlet’ was assessed by making comparisons with its female parent, ‘Sweet Ann’, and two advanced proprietary (unpatented) selections from the breeding program: ‘42J4’ and ‘33K46’. All plants for these trials were initially grown at a high elevation nursery in Macdoel, Siskiyou County, Calif. The plants were dug on October 16^th, and planted after eleven days of supplemental storage on Oct. 27, 2012. The varieties were planted and evaluated at Elkhorn, Monterey County, Calif. The yield data for the comparisons are based upon 18,000 plants per acre, converted to yield in grams per plant. The fruit for these trials was harvested from April through August, 2013.

The average fruit size of 39.92 grams per berry for ‘Scarlet’ is larger than that of ‘Albion’ (33.0 g/berry), but smaller than the fruit of its female parent ‘Sweet Ann’. Fruit from ‘Scarlet’ has more uniformity regarding size as compared to ‘Sweet Ann’. The fruit of ‘Scarlet’ fruit retains its attractive appearance, even very ripe, as compared to other cultivars, maintaining its desirable characteristics during shipment of the fruit to market. The fruit from the trials was rated based upon commercial appearance using a scale wherein a numerical score of “5” represents the best appearance score. ‘Scarlet’ rated very good, with a score of “3.75,” as compared to both ‘Sweet Ann’ and ‘Albion’, each of which have a commercial appearance rating of “4.0.” Table 6 shows the performance of ‘Scarlet’ compared to ‘Sweet Ann’, and the proprietary unpatented varieties designated ‘42J4’ and ‘33K46’.

TABLE 6
Comparison of Performance of ‘Scarlet’ to ‘Sweet Ann’ ‘42J4’ and ‘33K46’
	Yield	Size	Appearance
Cultivar	grams/plant	grams/berry	Rating 5 =Best
‘Scarlet’	1,483	39.92	3.75
‘Sweet Ann’	1,738	47.5	4.0
‘42J4’	1,057	33.25	4.5
‘33K46’	919	29.42	3.75

Claims

1. A new and distinct strawberry plant named ‘Scarlet’ as herein described and illustrated by the characterizations set forth above.