Strawberry plant named `Driscoll Coronation`

Abstract

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry named `Driscoll Coronation.` The variety is similar to the varieties `Driscoll Camarillo` and `Driscoll Jubilee.` The variety is distinguished from `Driscoll Camarillo` and `Driscoll Jubilee`, in particular, by a whitish internal fruit color, a flat habit, a strong leaf glossiness, inflorescence level in relation to the foliage, weak fruit acidity, and medium adherence of fruit to the clayx.

Description

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: The variety is botanically identified as Fragaria.times.ananassa.

Variety denomination: The strawberry variety denomination is `Driscoll Coronation`.

1. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new variety originated as a result of a controlled cross between the strawberry plants `Marathon` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. PP12,817) and `38A237` (unpatented variety) in an ongoing breeding program, and was discovered as a seedling in Kent, England in 1999. The original seedling of the new cultivar was asexually propagated by stolons in a Nursery in Kent, England. Propagules were transplanted to a controlled breeding plot in Monterey. Calif, where the variety was identified and selected for further evaluation. `Driscoll Coronation` was subsequent asexually propagated and underwent further testing in Monterey, Calif. for one year. This propagation and testing has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein which characterize the new variety are fixed and retained true to type through successive generation of asexual reproduction.

2. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry named `Driscoll Coronation.` The variety is botanically identified as Fragaria.times.ananassa. The new variety is distinguished from other varieties by a number of characteristics as set forth in Tables 1-4.

3. COMPARISON TO SIMILAR VARIETIES

The varieties which we believe to be similar to `Driscoll Coronation` from those known to us are `Driscoll Camarillo` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 04,771) and `Driscoll Jubilee` (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 10/619,689). There are several characteristics of the new variety that are different from, or not possessed by `Driscoll Camarillo` and `Driscoll Jubilee.` The new variety is distinguished from `Driscoll Camarillo` and `Driscoll Jubilee` by having a flat habit, a strong leaf glossiness, inflorescence level in relation to the foliage, weak fruit acidity, and medium adherence of fruit to the calyx. The internal fruit color of `Driscoll Coronation` is whitish. In contrast, the internal fruit color of `Driscoll Camarillo` and `Driscoll Jubilee` comprises a white color interspersed in a striped manner among the orange-red or red color described for each variety. Each color described for the internal fruit color of `Driscoll Camarillo` and `Driscoll Jubilee` is individually present in the internal fruit tissues.

`Driscoll Coronation` is distinguished from its maternal parent `Marathon` by its smaller fruit size, lighter internal color, and its fully everbearing habit. `Driscoll Coronation` is distinguished from its paternal parent `38A237` by its larger average fruit size, paler internal fruit color, and broader fruit shape.

4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new variety, including fruit, foliage and flowers, in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in color illustrations of these characteristics.

FIG. 1 shows the whole the plant.

FIG. 2 shows the upper side of the leaves of the plant

FIG. 3 shows the under side and underside of the flowers.

FIG. 4 shows the fruit in longitudinal cross-section.

FIG. 5 shows a close-up of the fruit.

5. DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description of the new variety is based upon observations taken of plants and fruit grown in Monterey County, Calif., U.S.A. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Observations of Driscoll Coronation, `Driscoll Camarillo,` and `Driscoll Jubilee` were taken in side by side comparison in the year 2002. Plants for observation were harvested from a low elevation nursery in Tehama County, Calif. in December 2001, and held in refrigerated storage until planting in Monterey County in March 2002. Plants were grown in raised beds of soil under conditions typical of commercial strawberry production along the central coat of California. Fruits were harvested twice weekly for yield determination from May to October 2002. Measurements of plant, flower, and fruit characteristics were made in August 2002, approximately 5 months after planting. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the state values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic and cultural conditions. Colors are described and the most similar color designations are provided from The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart.

5.1 PROPAGATION

The new variety is principally propagated by way of stolons. Although propagation by stolons is presently preferred, other known methods of propagating strawberry plants may be employed.

5.2 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEW VARIETY

Information on the new variety is presented in Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4. In the tables, the flowers described are secondary flowers except where indicated. The fruit described is the secondary fruit on five month old plants. Fruit and flower measurements are an average of both primary and secondary fruit and flowers.

Table 1 provides information on the plant and fruit characteristics of the new variety `Driscoll Coronation` compared with characteristics of `Driscoll Camarillo` and `Driscoll Jubilee.` Table 2 provides additional information of the plant and fruit characteristics of the new variety `Driscoll Coronation` compared with characteristics of the varieties `Driscoll Camarillo` and `Driscoll Jubilee.` Table 3 provides reactions of the new variety to stresses, pests and diseases compared with reactions of the varieties `Driscoll Camarillo` and `Driscoll Jubilee.` Table 4 provides isozyme characteristics of the new variety as compared to that of the varieties `Driscoll Camarillo` and `Driscoll Jubilee.`

TABLE 1 QUANTITATIVE COMPARISON OF `DRISCOLL CORONATION`, `DRISCOLL CAMARILLO,` AND `DRISCOLL JUBILEE` `Driscoll `Driscoll `Driscoll Coronation` Camarillo` Jubilee` Plant Characteristics Height of plant (cm) 17.0 20.5 18.3 Spread of plant (cm) 33.2 39.4 30.7 Number of crowns 3.7 3.0 3.5 Leaf Characteristics Terminal leaflet length (cm) 7.9 8.4 6.9 Terminal leaflet width (cm) 7.4 8.5 6.7 Terminal leaflet length/width 1.07 0.99 1.04 ratio # Teeth/terminal leaflet 24.3 27.0 20.1 Color of upper side 147A 147A 147A dark green dark green dark green Color of under side 139C 147C 138B light to light green light to medium medium green green Petiole length (cm) 16.2 16.8 15.8 Petiole color 145A 145A 145A Bract frequency 25% 67% 42% typically typically typically double double double Stipule length (cm) 3.3 4.0 3.1 Stipule width (cm) 0.8 1.0 1.0 Flower Characteristics Petal length (cm) 0.96 1.13 1.12 Petal width (cm) 0.93 1.29 1.17 Petal length/width Ratio 1.03 0.88 0.96 Flower diameter (cm) 2.55 3.17 2.92 Calyx diameter (cm) 2.51 3.09 2.65 Average Fruiting truss length 24.2 33.2 27.7 (cm) Petal color (cm) 155C 155C 155C Fruit Characteristics Fruit length (cm) 3.9 3.8 3.8 Fruit width (cm) 3.9 3.9 3.4 Fruit length/width Ratio 0.99 0.97 1.10 Average berry weight (g) 20.0 20.7 19.8 External color 45B 42A 45A red red red Internal color 159D 33A-155C 43A-155B whitish orange red red and and white white Achene coloration 184A to 8B 184B to 184A to 4B 4A Yield (g/plant) 850 1200 600

TABLE 2 QUALITATIVE COMPARISON OF `DRISCOLL CORONATION`, `DRISCOLL CAMARILLO,` AND `DRISCOLL JUBILEE` `Driscoll `Driscoll `Driscoll Coronation` Camarillo` Jubilee` Plant Habit flat flat globose flat globose Density open open open to medium Vigor weak to medium to weak to medium strong medium Leaf Shape in cross section slightly concave slightly concave concave to flat to flat Interveinal blistering medium strong strong Glossiness strong medium to medium strong Number of leaflets three only three only three only Terminal leaflet margin revolute revolute revolute profile Terminal leaflet shape of base obtuse rounded acute Terminal leaflet shape of teeth obtuse rounded Rounded Stipule pubescence sparse medium sparse to medium Petiole pubescence very sparse sparse very sparse to sparse Petiole pose of hairs outwards upwards to outwards to outward downwards Stolon Amount few to medium Medium medium Anthocyanin coloration medium medium Medium Thickness medium thick thin to medium Pubescence medium medium sparse to medium Inflorescence Position relative to foliage level above beneath Diameter of calyx relative to smaller to smaller to smaller to corolla on secondary flowers same size same size same size Diameter of inner calyx smaller same size smaller relative to outer on secondary flowers Spacing of petals touching overlapping touching to overlapping Fruiting Truss Attitude at first picking prostrate semi-erect to semi-erect prostrate Fruit Predominant shape chordate chordate conical Difference in shapes between slight to slight to very slight primary and secondary fruits moderate moderate to slight Band without achenes very narrow very narrow very narrow Unevenness of surface very weak to weak to very weak weak medium Evenness of color uneven slightly Even slightly uneven to uneven even Glossiness strong Strong strong Insertion of achenes level below to level to level above Insertion of calyx in a basin in a basin in a basin to level Pose of the calyx segments spreading spreading to spreading reflexed Size of calyx in relation to same size to Smaller smaller to fruit on secondary fruit larger same size Adherence of calyx medium strong strong Firmness of flesh medium firm medium to firm Evenness of flesh color even slightly slightly uneven uneven Distribution of flesh color central marginal and marginal and central central Hollow center size small to absent to absent to medium small small Sweetness strong medium medium to strong Texture when tasted fine medium medium Acidity weak Medium medium Time of Flowering medium medium medium Type of Bearing fully fully fully everbearing everbearing everbearing

5.3 REACTION TO STRESS, PESTS, AND DISEASE

TABLE 3 REACTIONS TO STRESS PESTS AND DISEASES FOR `DRISCOLL CORONATION`, `DRISCOLL CAMARILLO,` AND `DRISCOLL JUBILEE` `Driscoll `Driscoll `Driscoll Coronation` Camarillo` Jubilee` Reaction to Stress high pH moderately moderately moderately resistant resistant resistant high soil salt levels moderately moderately moderately susceptible resistant susceptible Reaction to Pests Tetranychus urticae moderately moderately moderately susceptible susceptible susceptible Lygus hesperus susceptible susceptible susceptible Reaction To Diseases Botrytis fruit rot moderately moderately moderately susceptible to susceptible to susceptible to moderately moderately moderately resistant resistant resistant Powdery mildew moderately susceptible to susceptible susceptible highly susceptible Verticillium wilt moderately moderately moderately susceptible susceptible resistant

5.4 ISOZYME ANALYSIS

In addition to the morphological description above, the new cultivar `Driscoll Coronation` has been analyzed to obtain an indication of its genetic makeup to provide further means for identifying the new variety and distinguishing it from other somewhat similar and/or related strawberry varieties. Specifically, leaf samples of `Driscoll Coronation`, `Driscoll Camarillo` and `Driscoll Jubilee` were analyzed by electrophoresis for isozyme patterns of the enzymes phosphoglucoisomerase ("PGI"), leucine aminopeptidase ("LAP") and phosphoglucomutase ("PGM"). See J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 106:684-687. Isozyme characterization of the three varieties is presented in Table 4, with the letters representing the banding patterns for each enzyme as designated in the above-identified article.

TABLE 4 ISOZYME ANALYSIS FOR `DRISCOLL CORONATION`, `DRISCOLL CAMARILLO,` AND `DRISCOLL JUBILEE` `Driscoll `Driscoll `Driscoll Locus Camarillo` Coronation` Jubilee` PGI A2 A3 A1 LAP B3 B3 B3 PGM C4 C4 C4

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant, substantially as shown and described.