U.S. patent number PP30,492 [Application Number 15/530,810] was granted by the patent office on 2019-05-14 for strawberry plant named `wasatch`.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Board of Trustees of Michigan State University. The grantee listed for this patent is Board of Trustees of Michigan State University. Invention is credited to James Hancock.
United States Patent |
PP30,492 |
Hancock |
May 14, 2019 |
Strawberry plant named `Wasatch`
Abstract
A new and distinct Fragaria x ananassa plant named `Wasatch`,
particularly characterized as a strong day-neutral.
Inventors: |
Hancock; James (Scarborough,
ME) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Board of Trustees of Michigan State University |
East Lansing |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Board of Trustees of Michigan State
University (East Lansing, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
63355933 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/530,810 |
Filed: |
March 3, 2017 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20180255672 P1 |
Sep 6, 2018 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
PLT/209 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01H
6/7409 (20180501) |
Current International
Class: |
A01H
5/08 (20180101); A01H 6/74 (20180101) |
Field of
Search: |
;PLT/209 |
Other References
"MSU Releases New Strawberries: Redstart & Wasatch", posted on
Dec. 27, 2016;
http://www.technologies.msu.edu/msu-releases-new-strawberries-redst-
art-wasatch, accessed on Jul. 18, 2017. cited by applicant .
"Wasatch Day-Neutral Strawberry--MSU 68",
http://msut.technologypublisher.com/technology/22785 accessed on
Jul. 18, 2017. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Robinson; Keith O.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: McKee, Voorhees & Sease,
PLC
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A new and distinct variety of Fragaria x ananassa plant named
`Wasatch`, as illustrated and described herein.
Description
Botanical name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: The
strawberry of this invention is botanically identified as Fragaria
x ananassa.
Variety denomination: The variety denomination is `Wasatch`.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of a
strawberry plant, botanically known as Fragaria x ananassa of the
Rosaceae family, and hereinafter referred to by the variety
denomination `Wasatch`.
The new Fragaria x ananassa variety is a product of a planned
breeding program conducted by the inventors. The objective of the
breeding program was to develop a new Fragaria x ananassa variety
intended for the Midwestern and Northeastern USA, Ontario and
Quebec, and the Pacific Northwest.
The new variety originated from a cross between female parent
`Seascape` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,614) and male parent MSU 38
(unpatented)(itself the product of a cross between `Tribute`
(unpatented) and `Honeoye` (unpatented)) made in a greenhouse at
Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich. in March 2008.
`Wasatch` was first selected in the summer of 2009 from a family of
93 planted in an open field in Benton Harbor, Mich. It was
re-evaluated in the same field the following season, and was
originally designated as MSU 68.
Asexual propagation of the new Fragaria x ananassa variety by
runners was performed at Michigan State University, East Lansing,
Mich. in the fall of 2010 where runners from the original mother
plant were dug and transferred to a greenhouse. The potted plants
were allowed to runner in the summer of 2011 and 2013, and the
resulting daughter plants were rooted in sterilized soil. These
plants were encouraged to go dormant each winter by leaving the
greenhouse unheated.
Horticultural examination has demonstrated that the combination of
characteristics as herein disclosed for the new variety was firmly
fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual
propagation. The new variety propagates true-to-type.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are
determined to be characteristics of `Wasatch`, which in
combination, distinguish this strawberry plant as a new, unique and
distinct variety: Strong day-neutral, firm, high yields, superior
fruit color, greater plant vigor, and excellent flavor.
In comparison to the parental varieties, `Seascape` (U.S. Plant
Pat. No. 7,614) and MSU 38, `Wasatch` differs primarily in the
traits listed in Table 1.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Comparison with parent varieties Female
Parent Male Parent Trait `Seascape` MSU 38 `Wasatch` Fruiting
period Day-neutral Short-day Day-neutral Vigor Low High High Fruit
shape Long wedge Globose conic Conic
In field trials over three seasons, `Wasatch` has performed as a
strong day-neutral, fruiting an average of 12 weeks in Mt. Vernon,
Wash. and 8 weeks at Benton Harbor, Mich. `Wasatch` compares
favorably to the most widely planted day-neutrals `Seascape` and
`Albion` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,228) developed in California.
`Wasatch` has a slightly paler internal color than `Seascape` and
similar firmness; however, it is superior in yield, vigor, fruit
size and flavor. `Wasatch` is not as firm and is smaller fruited
than `Albion`, but it has higher yields, better fruit color,
greater plant vigor and similar excellent flavor. `Wasatch` did not
display any symptoms of common diseases in the field trials.
Description of field trials is below.
Trials
Ten plants of `Wasatch` were planted in 2012 and 2014 with other
MSU selections in an open field in Benton Harbor, Mich. and in
Burlington, Wash. under high tunnels. Plants were maintained on a
black plastic mulch in raised beds in Burlington, Wash., while in
Benton Harbor, Mich. they were grown on flat beds without mulch.
All flowers were removed from the first flush of blooms in the
planting year. Adjacent to these trials were other plantings of the
day-neutral cultivars `Albion` and `Seascape`. The plants set in
2012 were evaluated in years one and two for weeks of fruiting,
vigor, fruit size, productivity and fruit quality. The plants set
in 2014 were evaluated for the same parameters in just that
year.
Ten plants of `Wasatch` were also planted with other MSU selections
under a high tunnel in Benton Harbor, Mich. in April of 2012.
Adjacent to this planting was a replicated trial of 8 day-neutral
cultivars including `Albion` and `Seascape`. The plants were set in
raised beds on white plastic mulch on top of black plastic mulch.
Flowers were removed from each plant until early July and fruit
were harvested weekly for the rest of the season. The same planting
was evaluated the following year for vigor, productivity and fruit
quality.
Results
Michigan Open Field Trials (2012-2013):
In the open field trials in Michigan in 2012 and 2013, `Wasatch`
was acceptable to superior for all the rated characteristics and
fruited for 8 weeks in both years (Table 2).
In 2012, `Wasatch` had higher yields and better flavor than
`Seascape`, and was comparable for all the other characteristics
except internal color. `Wasatch` fruit were smaller and slightly
less firm than `Albion`, but it had comparable yields, higher vigor
and better color.
In the second harvest season, `Wasatch` was much more vigorous than
`Seascape` and had larger fruit with better appearance and flavor.
It had comparable firmness, but slightly lower yields and paler
color. `Wasatch` was more vigorous, had better fruit color and was
much higher yielding than `Albion`, although it was smaller fruited
and less firm.
Overall, the fruit size, vigor and yield of the three cultivars
were reduced in 2013 compared to 2012; however, `Wasatch` was less
affected than `Albion` and `Seascape` for vigor and yield and
`Seascape` for fruit size. The year 2013 was unusually hot in
Michigan, suggesting that `Wasatch` may be more resistant to high
temperatures than `Seascape` and `Albion`, but more data is needed
to confirm this.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Strawberry trials in the open field in
Benton Harbor, MI in 2012 and 2013. Cultivar Year Characteristic
`Albion` Wasatch` `Seascape` 2012 Plant vigor 7.sup.a 8 8 Total
Yield 9 9 7 Fruit size 9 7 7 Fruit appearance 8 8 8.5 External
color 6 8 8 Internal color 7 7 8 Firmness 9 8 8 Flavor 8 7 6 2013
Plant vigor 4 7 6 Total Yield 3 6 7 Fruit size 7 4 3 Fruit
appearance 8 8 7 External color 7 8 9 Internal color 7 7 8 Firmness
10 8 8 Flavor 7 7.5 6 .sup.a1 = poor; 7 = commercially acceptable;
10 = superior.
Washington Tunnel Trials (2012-2013):
In the tunnel trials in Washington in 2012 and 2013, all the
characteristics of `Wasatch` were rated acceptable to superior
(Table 3). `Wasatch` fruited for 11 weeks in 2012 and 13 weeks in
2013.
In 2012, `Wasatch` had higher vigor, larger fruit size, better
appearance and much better flavor than `Seascape`. It was
comparable for all the other characteristics measured. `Wasatch`
was better colored than `Albion` and had higher yields, more
attractive fruit and higher vigor. Its fruit were smaller and less
firm, but it had comparable flavor.
In the second harvest season, `Wasatch` was more vigorous than
`Seascape` and had comparable firmness, yield and flavor. Its
internal color was somewhat paler. `Wasatch` had superior vigor,
yield and internal color compared to `Albion`, with comparable
fruit appearance and external color. Its fruit size and firmness
were less than `Albion`.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Strawberry trials in hoop houses in Mt.
Vernon, WA in 2012 and 2013. Cultivar Year Characteristic `Albion`
Wasatch` `Seascape` 2012 Plant vigor 7.sup.a 9 7 Weeks of fruiting
-- 11 -- Total Yield 8 9 9 Fruit size 9 8 7 Fruit appearance 8 9 8
External color 8 9 9 Internal color 6 8 8 Firmness 10 9 9 Flavor 8
8 6 2013 Plant vigor 8 9 8 Weeks of fruiting -- 13 -- Total Yield 8
9 9 Fruit size 10 7 7 Fruit appearance 8 8 8 External color 8 8 8.5
Internal color 6 7 8 Firmness 10 8 8 Flavor 9 8 8 .sup.a1 = poor, 7
= commercially acceptable, 10 = superior
Michigan Tunnel Trials (2012-2013):
In the tunnels in Benton Harbor, Mich. in 2012, `Wasatch` had
acceptable to superior ratings for all characteristics, except
external color, which was just below the accepted standard (6.5 vs.
7.0)(Table 4). It produced fruit for 13 weeks. `Wasatch` had
greater plant vigor, much higher yields, larger berries, more
attractive fruit and was better flavored than `Seascape` (Table 4).
Its fruit were not as deeply colored, but it was comparable in
firmness. `Wasatch` also had greater plant vigor and higher yields
than `Albion`, although its fruit were less firm. `Wasatch` was in
general lower yielding than `Albion` and `Seascape` in the first
half of the season, but much higher yielding in the second
half.
In 2013, `Wasatch` had acceptable ratings for all characteristics
except fruit size and yield (Table 4). However, it had larger fruit
than `Seascape` and comparable yields (Table 4). The fruit of
`Wasatch` were smaller than `Albion`, but its yields were much
higher. `Wasatch` was more flavorful than `Seascape` with
comparable firmness. Its fruit were less firm than `Albion`, but
better colored and slightly better flavored.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Strawberry trials in hoop houses in Benton
Harbor, MI in 2012 and 2013. Cultivar Year Characteristic `Albion`
`Wasatch` `Seascape` 2012 Plant vigor 5.sup.1 7 6 g/plant 504 604
481 g/berry 10.7 9.5 6.4 Fruit appearance 7 8 6 External color 7
6.5 8 Internal color 7 8 8 Firmness 10 8 8 Flavor 7.5 7 6 2013
Plant vigor 4 7 6 Total Yield 3 6 6 Fruit size 7.5 4 3 Fruit
appearance 8 9 7 External color 7 7 9 Internal color 7 8 8 Firmness
9 8 8 Flavor 7 7.5 6 .sup.a1 = poor, 7 = acceptable commercial
quality, 10 = excellent
Michigan Open Field Trials (2014):
In 2014 in Michigan, Wasatch had acceptable to superior ratings for
all characteristics (Table 5). The fruit of `Wasatch` were smaller
than `Albion` and less firm, but it had higher vigor, yields,
better appearance and color; it was comparable for flavor. In
Washington, `Wasatch` fruit were less firm than `Albion`, but their
size was comparable and Wasatch had better appearance and internal
color.
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Strawberry trials in under hoops in Mt.
Vernon, WA and in open fields in Benton Harbor, MI in 2014.
Cultivar Location Characteristic `Albion` `Wasatch` MI Plant vigor
7.sup.a 9 Total Yield 7 7 Fruit size 8 7 Fruit 8 9 appearance
External color 6 8 Internal color 7 7 Firmness 9 8 Flavor 8 8 WA
Plant vigor 8 9 Total Yield 7 9 Fruit size 8 8 Fruit 7 9 appearance
External color 9 9 Internal color 7 8 Firmness 9 8 Flavor 8 7
.sup.a1 = poor, 7 = acceptable commercial quality, 10 =
excellent
Except for fruit size in the second season of the hoop trials in
Michigan, all the horticultural characteristics of `Wasatch` proved
acceptable to superior. It was generally superior to `Seascape` in
vigor, yield, fruit size, fruit appearance and flavor. It had
comparable firmness and was slightly less colored than `Seascape`.
`Wasatch` was superior to `Albion` in vigor, yield, fruit
appearance, and fruit color. It was smaller fruited and less firm
than `Albion`, but had similar excellent flavor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS
The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of
the new Fragaria x ananassa variety `Wasatch` showing the colors as
true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this
type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color
values cited in the detailed morphological description, which
accurately describe the color of `Wasatch`. Plants were set in the
field in April and the photographs taken in June.
FIG. 1 shows a typical fruit bearing plant of `Wasatch` with
flowers.
FIG. 2 shows a typical row of `Wasatch` planted in the field.
DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
The new Fragaria x ananassa `Wasatch` has not been observed under
all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new
variety may vary with variations in environment such as
temperature, light intensity, day length or soil without any change
in the genotype of the strawberry plant.
The aforementioned photographs, together with the following
observations, measurements and values describe plants of `Wasatch`
as grown in the field in Benton Harbor, Mich., under conditions
which closely approximate those generally used in commercial
practice. The described plants were propagated from stolons and
planted at a distance of 25 cm in sandy red loam soil at an
elevation of about 30 meters above sea level, with drip irrigation
and fertilizers as generally used in commercial practice. Average
annual precipitation is about 550 mm, with an average 350 mm of
precipitation in winter (December to February). Mean diurnal
minimum temperature in January is -8.degree. C., and mean diurnal
maximum temperature in July is 24.degree. C.
Mother plants were planted in the beginning of May, in the field
nursery at 2.5 m.times.2.5 m distance. Overhead irrigation with
addition of fertilizers was used. The average day/night
temperatures during the establishment of the daughter plants,
between June to August, are 32.degree. C./18.degree. C.
respectively. Runners appeared from June, which produce young
daughter plants up till mid-September
Unless otherwise stated, the detailed morphological description
includes observations, measurements and values taken from May to
June, 2014 and based on `Wasatch` plants grown in a greenhouse at
Michigan State University. Quantified measurements are expressed as
an average or a range of measurements taken from a number of plants
of `Wasatch`. The measurements of any individual plant or any group
of plants, of the new variety may vary from the stated average or
range.
Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour
Chart (R.H.S.), (1986 edition), except where general colors of
ordinary significance are used. All of the plants of `Wasatch`,
insofar as they have been observed, have been consistent in all the
characteristics described below.
TABLE OF CHARACTERISTICS
Classification: Botanical.--Fragaria x ananassa. Parentage: Female
or seed parent.--`Seascape` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,614). Male or
pollen parent.--MSU 38 (Unpatented). Propagation: By runners in a
greenhouse at Michigan State University. Foliar characteristics in
mid-summer: Plant height (mm).--15.6 (16-21). Plant spread
(mm).--32.8 (30-34). Growth habit.--Upright. Color.--137D. Leaf
division.--Three leaflets. Mid-tier leaflet length (mm).--73.4
(70-85). Shape (length/width).--58.6 (46-65). Basal angle of
terminal leaflet.--23.6 (19-30). Serrations of terminal
leaflet.--21.0 (19-25). Serrations per leaf.--64.8 (62-72).
Petiolule length (mm).--8.2 (6-10). Petiole length (mm).--149.4
(132-160). Petiole diameter (mm).--3.0 (2.5-3.5). Petiole
color.--145B. Venation.--Pinnate. Leaf pubescence.--None to sparse
on lower surface. Leaf blistering.--Absent. Leaf
glossiness.--Medium. Petiole pubescence.--Moderate. Petiole
pubescence direction.--Perpendicular. Position of the inflorescence
in relation to the foliage.--Same level. Number of stolons.--1-4.
Flowering and fruiting characteristics: Flowers per truss.--6.0
(5-8). Flower position.--Most exposed. Petal width (mm).--7.2
(6.8-8.4). Petal color.--White. Petal shape.--Actinomorphic. Petal
arrangement.--Free. Calyx diameter (mm).--27.5 (25-31). Corolla
diameter (mm).--20.7 (23.5-26.7). Size of the calyx in relation to
the corolla.--Smaller. Sepal length (mm).--11.8 (10.5-14.5). Sepal
width (mm).--4.6 (3.5-5.0). Sepal color.--146A. Stamens.--Present.
Number of stamens.--10-15. Pedicle length (mm).--31.4 (27-54).
Pedicle diameter (mm).--1.7 (1.0-2.0). Pedicle color.--146D. Fruit
width (mm).--35.8 (32-40). Fruit length (mm).--32.3 (28-35).
Length/width.--0.9 (0.7-1.0). Fruit shape.--Conic. Firmness of the
fruit.--Firm. Size (g/frt).--13.8 (9.8-15.20). Calyx diameter
(mm).--16.5 (12.7-19.2). Calyx position.--Even with base of fruit.
External color.--45A. Internal color.--34A. Depth of color.--50%.
Fruit per truss.--6.0 (5-8). Achene color.--163B (pale tan). Achene
placement.--Level. Time of beginning of flowering.--Mid-April.
Fruit quality measurements: Soluble solids (%).--10.2. Titratable
acidity (%).--1.04 (0.99-1.08).
* * * * *
References