Strawberry plant named ‘Miss Jo’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa) named ‘Miss Jo’ is presented here. This new weak day neutral strawberry variety is characterized by moderately high vigor plants which produce attractive conical fruit with a good, sweet strawberry flavor and a desirable lighter red exterior color. The variety is fully remontant in cool coastal areas of California, producing high quality fruit all season long.

Claims

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

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying color photographs, identified as FIGS. 1 through 7, show the appearance of typical specimens of the new strawberry variety, initially designated ‘146T54’, and now named ‘Miss Jo’. 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 ‘Miss Jo’ were taken in June 2021.

(2) FIG. 1 shows typical leaf and petiole structure at mid-season;

(3) FIG. 2 shows an inflorescence at mid-season;

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

(5) FIG. 4 shows typical calyx position over the berry of ‘Miss Jo’;

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

(7) FIG. 6 shows a container of freshly picked fruit,

(8) FIG. 7 shows typical plants in a field and position of ripe fruit on the shoulder.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

(9) ‘Miss Jo’ is a new and distinct variety of strawberry, genus and species Fragaria x ananassa. It is the result of a cross between its female parent, ‘22G22’ (unpatented), and its male parent ‘52L32’ (unpatented). ‘22G22’ is a short-day variety, while ‘52L32’ is a day neutral variety. ‘Miss Jo’ is a weak day neutral variety that has remontant or ever-bearing tendencies in temperate coastal environments and is partially remontant in hotter inland environments. Plants of ‘Miss Jo’ bloom commonly in our high elevation nursery, and slightly in the heat of our low elevation nursery location in Manteca, Calif., consistent with other weak day neutral varieties. The plants of the new variety have a moderately high vigor and produce multiple crowns during the growing season. ‘Miss Jo’ exhibits several characteristics which are improvements over one or both of its parent varieties, and other known cultivars. The characteristics of ‘Miss Jo’ were observed in plants aged about 6 months from planting in fruiting fields. These characteristics and comparisons with other cultivars are discussed following.

(10) The fruit size of ‘Miss Jo’ is large, with a seasonal average of 26 g, slightly smaller than its parents. The size of fruit of ‘Miss Jo’ is ideal where it is not too large where it could be damaged in containers, but not too small to allow for efficient picking and packing. The fruit of ‘Miss Jo’ also hangs down on the shoulder of the bed to allow for more visible fruit and ease of picking.

(11) ‘Miss Jo’ produces mostly short conic fruit like its parent ‘22G22’, while the fruit of ‘52L32’ is a longer conical shape, often with mis-shaped fruit. The fruit of ‘Miss Jo’ generally ripens evenly from the tip to the shoulders of the berry, resulting in a uniform light red color over the whole fruit. In contrast, the fruit of ‘52L32’ has a more pronounced tip to top ripening pattern that can often be blotchy. The fruit of ‘Miss Jo’ is mostly absent of creases and is generally smooth and has a firmness that is equal to its two parents. The glossiness of ‘Miss Jo’ is closer to that of its ‘22G22’ parent which has a high gloss, rather than the lower gloss of ‘52L32’.

(12) The data set forth for ‘Miss Jo’ in Tables 1, 2, and 3 was collected in June 2021 from plants grown at a test plot in Moss Landing, Monterey County, Calif. Yield, size and % Brix data was used from the previous season (2020) at the same location. Color terminology where noted is in accordance with the Pantone Color Formula Guide GP 1201.

(13) In Table 1, the observed characteristics of ‘Miss Jo’ are set forth.

(14) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Detailed Description of Characteristics of ‘Miss Jo’ SPECIFICATION: Genus/Species Fragaria X ananassa Market Name Strawberry PARENTS: Female ‘22G22’ (unpatented) Male ‘52L32’ (unpatented) PLANT: Type Weak Day Neutral Growth Habit Upright Foliage density Moderate/High Vigor Moderate/High Height Average 36 cm; range 33 cm to 40 cm Width Average 54.2 cm; range 50 cm to 60 cm Crowns Multiple crowns produced throughout season Disease tolerance Test plots have shown tolerance to Fusarium and Anthracnose LEAF: Width Average 15.6 cm; range 13.5 cm to 18 cm Color Adaxial surface: Pantone 371 U Abaxial surface: Pantone 7491 U Pubescence Medium density Inter-vein blistering Slight Glossiness Moderate Variegation None TERMINAL LEAFLET: Length Average 94.8 mm; range 76 mm to 108 mm Width Average 81.6 mm; range 69 mm to 95 mm Ratio Length to 1.16 width Margins Crenate to serrate Leaflet shape Obovate Base shape Cuneate Cross-section shape Concave PETIOLE: Pubescence Slight Petiole color Pantone 383 U Petiole length Average 26.7 cm; range 23.2 cm to 29.1 cm Petiole diameter Average 4.05 mm; range 3.42 mm to 4.81 mm STIPULE: Anthocyanin Slight coloration Length Average 21.96 mm; range 19.92 mm to 24.58 mm Width Average 11.23 mm; range 9.36 mm to 13.22 mm STOLEN: Anthocyanin Present, light coloration Pubescence Moderate, fine Diameter Average 4.31 mm; range 3.03 mm to 5.82 mm INFLORESCENCE: Flowering time Moderately early Position At or slightly above the canopy Number of blooms Average 6.4; range 5 to 9 Length Average 37.2 cm; range 32.9 cm to 43.5 cm Flower diameter Average 26.6 mm; range 21.9 mm to 30.2 mm Petal arrangement Separate to slightly overlapping Petal number Average 5.6; range 5 to 8 Petal length Average 11.4 mm; range 10.2 mm to 12.51 mm Petal width Average 10.8 mm; range 9.23 mm to 12.15 mm Ratio Length to 1.05 width Petal color Pantone 11-0701 TPX Calyx Larger than the corolla Calyx color Adaxial Pantone 371 U Abaxial Pantone 3791 U Stamens Average 27.5; range 26 to 34 Pedicel Attitude of hairs is perpendicular to upright FRUIT: Bearing Weak Day Neutral Shape Conic Size Seasonal average: 26 g Achenes Slightly below the surface Glossiness Medium External color Pantone 711 C Internal color Pantone 7417 C Evenness of Even external color Width of band at top Small devoid of achenes Yield Approximate grams per plant: 1,926 g Firmness Firm, similar firmness to parent ‘22G22’ % Brix Seasonal average: 8.9; range 6.7 to 12.2

(15) The comparison statistics set forth in the following Tables are with respect to characteristics observed at mid-season of ‘Miss Jo’. All measurements for ‘Miss Jo’ were taken at a test plot in Moss Landing, Monterey County, Calif. during mid-season 2021. In Tables 2 and 3, the characteristics of ‘Miss Jo’ are compared with historical data of the day neutral variety ‘Sweet Ann’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,472) and short-day variety ‘Lucia’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,974). Color identifications where noted herein are in accordance with the Pantone Color Formula Guide.

PLANTS AND FOLIAGE

(16) The form and structure of the plants of ‘Miss Jo’ are slightly shorter to that of ‘Lucia’ and ‘Sweet Ann’ plants. The plant spread of ‘Miss Jo’, however, is wider than that of either ‘Sweet Ann’ or ‘Lucia’. The canopy of ‘Miss Jo’ is slightly denser than that of ‘Sweet Ann’ and ‘Lucia’. The leaf surface of ‘Miss Jo’ is also less blistered than that of ‘Lucia’ and more closely resembling that of ‘Sweet Ann’. The glossiness of the leaves of ‘Miss Jo’ is also less glossy than that of ‘Lucia’ and more like that of ‘Sweet Ann’.

(17) In Table 2, comparative data for foliar characteristics are presented for ‘Miss Jo’ and historical data of two comparison cultivars, ‘Sweet Ann’ and ‘Lucia’.

(18) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Foliar Characteristics of ‘Miss Jo’ Compared to ‘Lucia’ and ‘Sweet Ann’ Foliar Cultivar Characteristics ‘Lucia’ ‘Sweet Ann’ ‘Miss Jo’ Plant height (mm) Average 391 380 360 Range 292-490 290-480 330-400 Plant spread (mm) Average 472 420 542 Range 430-550 30-510 500-600 Leaf width (mm) Average 195 165 156 Range 165-220 130-195 135-180 Mid-tier leaflet Average 103 88 94.8 length (mm) Range 82-116 72-105 76-108 Mid-tier leaflet Average 91 67 81.6 width (mm) Range 73-102 52-88 69-95 Petiole length Average 268 220 267 (mm) Range 230-355 150-280 232-291 Petiole diameter Average 4.48 3.74 4.05 (mm) Range 3.70-5.80 3.01-4.29 3.42-4.81 Number leaflets 3 3 3 per leaf Leaf convexity Slight concave Slight Concave concave Shape leaflet base Rounded to Obtuse Cuneate obtuse Leaf pubescence Medium Medium Medium density density density Petiole pubescence Medium Medium Low density density density Stipule length Average 35.74 Not available 21.96 (mm) Range 30.2-39.7 Not available 19.92-24.58 Stipule anthocyanin Yes Weak yes Slight coloration Leaf margins Serrate to Commonly Crenate to crenate crenate serrate Leaf color adaxial 364 U 364 U 371 U surface Leaf color abaxial 363 U 370 U 7491 U surface Petiole color 366 U 383 U 383 U Leaf surface Medium Very weak Slight blistering Leaf surface High Medium Moderate glossiness

FLOWERS AND FRUIT

(19) ‘Miss Jo’ is a weak day neutral variety that has ever-bearing tendencies under certain temperature and horticultural conditions. This has been seen where plants grown in a coastal climate have continuously flowered throughout the growing season, while in nursery production in Manteca where summer temperatures are hot, some plants flower, while others do not. While ‘Lucia’ has longer inflorescences and ‘Sweet Ann’ has shorter inflorescences as compared to ‘Miss Jo’, when compared to their individual plant size all three varieties produce flowers that are at or above the canopy level, leaving flowers exposed to pollinators. The light red exterior color of the fruit of ‘Miss Jo’ is similar in color to that of ‘Lucia’ and ‘Sweet Ann’, however while ‘Sweet Ann’ often has an unripe shoulder, no such shoulder exists in fruit of ‘Miss Jo’ where it ripens nearly up to the calyx. The fruit of ‘Miss Jo’ has good culinary qualities including good conic shape, good size, lighter red color, and a sweet strawberry flavor.

(20) In Table 3, comparative data for flower and fruit characteristics for ‘Lucia’, ‘Sweet Ann’ and ‘Miss Jo’ are set forth.

(21) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Flower and Fruit Characteristics of ‘Miss Jo’ Compared to ‘Lucia’ and Sweet Ann’ Cultivar Characteristic ‘Lucia’ ‘Sweet Ann’ ‘Miss Jo’ Petal number 5 5-6 5-8 Petal length (mm) Average 12.44 11.21 11.37 Range 10.6-14.3 9.2-13.13 10.16-12.51 Petal width (mm) Average 11.86 11.05 10.84 Range 10-13.1 9.0-13.1 9.23-12.15 Position of flower most most most (relative to foliage) exposed exposed exposed some even some even Pedicel length (mm) Average 430 330 372 Range 380-540 240-420 329-435 Sepal color (adaxial) 364 U 364 U 371 U Sepal color (abaxial) 371 U 370 U 7491 U Flower diameter Average 28.18 30.34 26.55 (mm) Range 23.5-34.2 27.03-32.94 21.86-30.22 Fruit color (external) 1788 C 185 C 711 C Fruit color (internal) 179 C 1788 C 7417 U

(22) Leaf samples from ‘Miss Jo’, along with several proprietary selections from the breeding program including ‘Lucia’, ‘Sweet Ann’, ‘Emilia’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,427), ‘Camila’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,326), ‘Ruby June’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,190), ‘Sangria’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,426), ‘Scarlet’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,034), and ‘Sierra’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 33,284), were submitted to a lab for allelic fingerprint comparison to the over two hundred other varieties of strawberry in its data base. The allelic fingerprint analysis establishes that ‘Miss Jo’ is distinct and unique compared to the lab's large database of allelic fingerprints. While ‘Miss Jo’ has equivalent alleles to other varieties for some individual markers, when looked at with several markers, a unique fingerprint is established.

(23) Table 4 below sets forth the test results of three markers.

(24) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Allelic Fingerprint Analysis Cultivar M1 M2 M3 ‘Camila’ 204, 206, 224, 229 190, 232 279, 281, 289 ‘Emilia’ 204, 206, 214, 229 190, 232 279, 281, 289 ‘Lucia’ 202, 204, 206, 229 188, 216, 232 279, 281, 289 ‘Ruby June’ 206, 224, 229 188, 190, 216, 279, 289 ‘Sangria’ 204, 206, 229 190,216 279,289 ‘Scarlet’ 204, 206, 214, 229 173, 190, 232 279, 281, 289 ‘Sweet Ann’ 204, 206, 229 190, 216, 232 279, 281, 289 ‘Sierra’ 204, 206, 229 232 279, 289 ‘Miss Jo’ 204, 206, 214, 224, 190, 232, 263 279, 281, 289 229