Strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’, particularly selected for its upright architecture, fruit yield, fruit size, fruit appearance, shelf life, and relatively low cull rate, is disclosed.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ as shown and described herein.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Unless otherwise indicated, the photographs are of plants that are nine to eleven months old.

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal sections of fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates the upper surface (top row) and lower surface (bottom row) of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(5) The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in East Malling, Kent, United Kingdom from 2015 to 2020. 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. ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ was taken from plants that were nine to eleven months old. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2015 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. Classification: Species.—Fragaria x ananassa. Common name.—Strawberry. Denomination.—‘DrisStrawEightyEight’. Parentage: Female parent.—Proprietary strawberry plant ‘UUK 143-002’ (unpatented). Male parent.—Proprietary strawberry plant ‘VUK 085-005’ (unpatented). Plant: Height.—44.35 cm. Diameter.—38 cm. Number of crowns per plant.—6.6. Growth habit.—Upright. Density of foliage.—Medium. Vigor.—Strong. Stolon: Number of daughter plants per square foot.—13.5. Diameter at bract.—3.79 mm. Anthocyanin coloration.—Medium to strong. Stolon color with anthocyanin coloration.—RHS 145A (Strong yellow green). Density of pubescence.—Sparse. Leaf: Number of leaflets.—Three only. Color of upper surface.—RHS N134A (Dark yellowish green). Color of lower surface.—RHS 138B (Moderate yellow green). Blistering.—Medium. Glossiness.—Strong. Variegation.—Absent. Terminal leaflet.—Length: 10.9 cm. Width: 11.9 cm. Length/width ratio: 0.9. Number of teeth per terminal leaflet: 17.5. Shape of base: Obtuse. Shape of apex: Rounded. Margin: Serrate to crenate. Shape in cross section: Concave. Petiole.—Length: 38.3 cm. Diameter: 4.7 mm. Attitude of hairs: Slightly outwards. Bract frequency (number present on each petiole): 0. Color: RHS 145A (Strong yellow green). Petiolule.—Length: 7.5 mm. Diameter: 3.04 mm. Surface texture: Rugose. Color: RHS 145B (Light yellow green). Stipule.—Length: 3.48 cm. Width: 9.8 mm. Anthocyanin coloration: Weak. Anthocyanin color: RHS 39B (Deep yellowish pink). Overall color: RHS 146D (Moderate yellow green). Inflorescence: Number of flowers per plant.—31.9. Position of inflorescence in relation to foliage.—Above. Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Slightly outwards. Length: 4 cm. Diameter: 3 mm. Color: RHS 144B (Strong yellow green). Flower.—Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on non-flattened flower): 24.5 mm. Flower depth: 13 mm. Arrangement of petals: Overlapping. Size of calyx in relation to corolla: Same size. Stamen: Present. Petal.—Length: 9.39 mm. Width: 10.74 mm. Length/width ratio: 0.9. Number of petals per flower: 5.3. Color of upper side: RHS 155B (Yellowish white). Color of lower side: RHS 155C (Greenish white). Texture of upper surface: Smooth. Texture of lower surface: Smooth. Base shape: Rounded. Apex shape: Concavo-convex. Margin type: Entire. Calyx.—Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of flower): 21.4 mm. Sepal.—Length: 4.91 mm. Width: 4.9 mm. Number of sepals per flower: 5.3. Color of upper side: RHS 139B (Moderate yellowish green). Color of lower side: RHS 141C (Strong yellowish green). Texture of upper surface: Glabrous. Texture of lower surface: Pubescent. Apex shape: Acuminate. Margin type: Entire. Flowering.—Flowering interval: Late April to mid-June. Fruit: Fruit size.—Length: 52.6 mm. Width: 44.9 mm. Length/width ratio: 1.1. Individual fruit weight: 28.4 g. Fruit hollow.—Length: 24.6 mm. Width: 11.5 mm. Length/width ratio: 2.1. Shape.—Cordate. Difference in shape of terminal and other fruits.—None or very slight. Fruit color.—RHS N34B (Strong reddish orange). Evenness of color.—Even or very slightly uneven. Glossiness.—Medium. Evenness of surface.—Even or very slightly uneven. Width of band without achenes.—Absent or very narrow. Position of achenes.—Below surface. Number of achenes per fruit.—250. Achene color.—RHS 11A (Brilliant yellow). Position of calyx attachment.—Inserted. Attitude of sepals.—Upwards. Diameter of calyx in relation to diameter of fruit.—Slightly smaller. Adherence of calyx.—Medium. Firmness.—Firm. Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS N45B (Moderate red). Color of core.—RHS 42C (Strong reddish orange). Fruiting.—Harvest interval: Early May to late June. Type of bearing: Not remontant. Productivity: 0.640 kg of fruit per plant per season from nine- to eleven-month-old plants when grown in East Malling, Kent, United Kingdom. Storage characteristics (post-harvest characteristics).—Following harvest, fruit can be stored for 7-10 days if maintained under cooled temperatures that are standard for strawberry storage. Resistance to diseases: Powdery mildew (podosphaera macularis).—Susceptible. Verticillium wilt (verticillium dahliae).—Moderately susceptible.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND REFERENCE VARIETIES

(6) ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ differs from the proprietary female parent ‘UUK 143-002’ (unpatented) in that plants of ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ are more productive when compared with plants of ‘UUK 143-002’. In addition, fruit of ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ is much larger than fruit of ‘UUK 143-002’.

(7) ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ differs from the proprietary male parent ‘VUK 085-005’ (unpatented) in that plants of ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ are higher yielding and produce significantly less culls (non-marketable fruit) when compared with plants of ‘VUK 085-005’. Further, fruit of ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ are larger, sweeter, and have a significantly improved shelf life when compared with fruit of ‘VUK 085-005’.

(8) ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ differs from the reference variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 31,896) in that ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ has improved yield and shelf life when compared to ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’. Further, ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ has an inserted position of calyx attachment on fruit, inflorescence above foliage, an overlapping arrangement of flower petals, and a cordate shape of fruit, whereas ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ has a position of calyx attachment that is level with fruit, inflorescence same level as foliage, a free arrangement of flower petals, and a conical shape of fruit.