Strawberry plant named `DrisStrawTwentyFive`

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named `DrisStrawTwentyFive` characterized by having very large sized, conical fruit with strong sweetness and high yield is disclosed.

Description

Genus and species: Fragaria.times.ananassa.

Variety denomination: `DrisStrawTwentyFive`.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety designated `DrisStrawTwentyFive` and botanically known as Fragaria.times.ananassa. This new strawberry variety was discovered in Ventura County, Calif. in January 2007 and originated from a cross between the proprietary female parent `18L33` (unpatented) and the proprietary male parent `192M122` (unpatented). A single plant was selected for asexual propagation via tissue culture and vegetative cuttings in Shasta County, Calif. in 2007.

`DrisStrawTwentyFive` underwent further testing in Ventura County, Calif. for five years (2007-2011). The present invention has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations via stolons.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have not been applied for. `DrisStrawTwentyFive` has not been made publicly available or sold more than one year prior to the filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Ventura County, Calif. 1. High yield; 2. Very large, conic shaped fruit; and 3. Strong sweetness.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs show typical specimens of the new variety at various stages of development. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs were taken from six-month-old plants.

FIG. 1 shows overall plant habit including fruit at various stages of development.

FIG. 2 shows upper and lower surfaces of the leaves of the plant with three leaflets.

FIG. 3 shows both upper and lower surfaces of the flowers.

FIG. 4 shows the whole fruit.

FIG. 5 shows the fruit in longitudinal cross-section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of `DrisStrawTwentyFive`. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Ventura County, Calif. from 2007 to 2011. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. `DrisStrawTwentyFive` has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of `DrisStrawTwentyFive` was taken from six-month-old plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2001 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2.sup.nd edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

Classification: Species.--Fragaria.times.ananassa. Common name.--Strawberry. Denomination.--`DrisStrawTwentyFive`. Parentage: Female parent.--The proprietary variety `18L33` (unpatented). Male parent.--The proprietary variety `192M122` (unpatented). Plant: Height.--21.1 cm. Diameter.--38.9 cm. Number of crowns/plant.--3. Habit.--Flat globose. Density of individual plant.--Medium. Vigor (health and hardiness of plant).--Medium. Terminal leaflets: Size.--Medium. Length: 7.8 cm. Width: 8.1 cm. Length/width ratio: 1.0 (As long as broad). Number of teeth/terminal leaflet.--24. Shape of teeth.--Rounded -- crenate. Color.--Upper surface: RHS 139A (Dark green). Lower surface: RHS 146B (Medium yellow-green). Shape in cross section.--Concave. Blistering.--Medium. Glossiness.--Medium. Number of leaflets.--Three only. Shape.--Orbicular. Base shape.--Rounded. Apex descriptor.--Rounded. Variegation.--Absent. Margin.--Crenate. Margin profile.--Revolute (margins rolled backwards). Petiole: Length.--13.3 cm. Diameter.--5.64 mm. Pubescence.--Dense. Pose of hairs.--Outwards-horizontal. Color.--RHS 146D (Medium yellow-green). Petiolule: Length.--7.82 mm. Diameter.--2.18 mm. Bract frequency.--0. Color.--RHS 146D (Medium yellow-green). Stipule: Length.--3.7 cm. Width.--11.59 mm. Pubescence.--Dense. Stipule anthocyanin coloration.--Weak; RHS 35C (Light orange-red). Stolon: Number.--Many. Average number of daughter plants per plant.--59. Stolon anthocyanin.--Medium; RHS 51A (Medium red). Thickness.--Thick. Pubescence.--Dense. Inflorescence: Position relative to foliage.--Above. Number of flowers.--Medium. Time of flowering (50% of plants at first flower).--Early. Flower size.--Medium. Flower diameter.--40.11 mm. Petals.--Shape: Orbicular. Apex: Rounded. Base: Concavo-convex. Margin: Entire. Spacing: Overlapping. Length: 16.57 mm. Width: 18.13 mm. Length/width ratio: As long as broad; 0.9. Typical and observed petal number per flower: 7. Color (upper surface): RHS 155B (White). Calyx.--Diameter: 49.36 mm. Diameter relative to corolla: Larger. Inner calyx diameter relative to outer: Smaller. Insertion of calyx: Level. Pose of calyx segments: Reflexed -- upwards. Size of calyx in relation to fruit: Slightly larger. Adherence of calyx: Very strong. Sepal.--Shape: Elliptical. Apex: Convex. Margin: Entire. Length: 19.19 mm. Width: 9.37 mm. Typical and observed sepal number per flower: 13. Receptacle color.--RHS 1B (Medium green-yellow). Stamen.--Present. Anther color: RHS 16A (Medium yellow-orange). Pedicel.--Attitude of hairs: Outwards -- horizontal. Fruiting truss: Length.--Medium; 19.4 cm. Diameter at base of truss.--3.18 mm. Number of berries per fruiting truss.--1. Attitude at first picking.--Prostrate. Color at base of truss.--RHS 144B (Light yellow-green). Fruit: Relative fruit size.--Very large. Length.--59.09 mm. Width.--54.24 mm. Length/width ratio.--1.1 (As long as broad). Fruit hollow length.--26.18 mm. Fruit hollow width.--18.10 mm. Fruit hollow length/width ratio.--1.4. Fruit hollow center (cavity).--Large. Weight (per individual berry).--33.6 g. Predominant fruit shape.--Conical. Difference in shape between primary and secondary fruits.--Slight. Evenness of fruit surface.--Even or very slightly uneven. Fruit skin color.--RHS 46B (Dark red). Evenness of fruit color.--Even or very slightly uneven. Fruit glossiness.--Medium. Achenes.--Insertion of achenes: Level with surface. Coloration (sunward side of berry): RHS 179B (Medium greyed-red). Coloration (shaded side of berry): RHS 153B (Medium yellow-green). Number per berry: 232. Weight (weight achenes divided by total # seed): 0.000581713. Width of band without achenes: Broad. Firmness of flesh.--Firm. Color of flesh (excluding core).--RHS 33B (Medium orange-red) and RHS 155D (White). Color of core.--RHS 33B (Medium orange-red). Evenness of flesh color.--Even. Distribution of flesh color.--Marginal and central. Sweetness.--Strong. Acidity.--Medium. Texture when tasted.--Medium. Type of bearing.--Not everbearing -- not remontant. Grams of fruit/plant.--1208.0 g. Harvest interval.--Late December -- July. Harvest maturity.--Early. Disease, pest, and stress resistance: Botrytis fruit rot.--Susceptible. Powdery mildew.--Susceptible. Verticillium wilt.--Moderately resistant. Xanthomonas fragariae.--Moderately resistant. Aphis spp. (Aphids).--Susceptible. Lygus hesperus (Lygus bug).--Susceptible. Wind.--Moderately resistant. High temperatures.--Moderately susceptible. High pH.--Moderately resistant. High soil salt levels.--Moderately resistant.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

When `DrisStrawTwentyFive` is compared to the proprietary female parent `18L33` (unpatented), `DrisStrawTwentyFive` has larger fruit, a simpler fruit truss, better flavor, lighter colored fruit, and earlier fruiting than `18L33` and is more vigorous and higher yielding than `18L33`.

When `DrisStrawTwentyFive` is compared to the proprietary male parent `192M122` (unpatented), `DrisStrawTwentyFive` has earlier fruit, better flavor, better shelf-life, and a more conic shaped fruit than `192M122` and is more vigorous than `192M122`.

When `DrisStrawTwentyFive` is compared to the commercial variety `Driscoll El Dorado` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,238), `DrisStrawTwentyFive` has medium interveinal leaf blistering, dense petiole pubescence and thick stolons, while `Driscoll El Dorado` has weak interveinal leaf blistering, sparse to medium petiole pubescence and thin stolons. Additionally, `DrisStrawTwentyFive` is not everbearing and has fruit with a broad band without achenes, while `Driscoll El Dorado` is partially everbearing and has fruit with a narrow to medium band without achenes.

When `DrisStrawTwentyFive` is compared to the commercial variety `DrisStrawEight` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,735), `DrisStrawTwentyFive` has medium leaf glossiness, a crenate terminal leaflet margin, and a rounded terminal leaflet base, while `DrisStrawEight` has weak leaf glossiness, a revolute terminal leaflet margin, and an obtuse terminal leaflet base. Additionally, `DrisStrawTwentyFive` has thick stolons with dense pubescence, while `DrisStrawEight` has thin stolons with absent or very sparse pubescence.

Claims

We claim:

1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named `DrisStrawTwentyFive` as described and shown herein.