Strawberry plant named ‘NSG 203’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant, referred to by its cultivar name, NSG 203, is provided which forms in abundance attractive early-season ripening large, medium red generally conical fruit having firm flesh that is longer than broad in configuration. A medium to high vigor is exhibited. The growth habit is dense, semi-upright and globose. White inflorescence is displayed. Commonly a calyx is displayed which is substantially bigger to the diameter of the corolla when open. The new variety is particularly well suited for the commercial industry.

Claims

1. A new and distinct strawberry plant characterized by the following combination of characteristics: (a) exhibits medium to high vigor and a dense, semi upright globose growth habit, (b) displays, on an early basis, white inflorescence at a level generally above the foliage, (c) commonly displays a calyx that is substantially bigger to the diameter of the corolla when open, (d) forms in abundance attractive early-ripening large, medium red generally conical fruit having firm flesh that is longer than broad in configuration, and (e) exhibits a good tolerance to infection by soil fungus; substantially as herein shown and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this character, typical specimens of the new variety. The illustrated strawberry plants of the new variety were asexually reproduced by stolons during summer time in Ochla, Poland and were planted under the cover of plastic tunnels during mid-October 2017 at Nova Siri (MT), Italy.

(2) FIG. 1illustrates a semi-upright flowering plant on Feb. 10, 2018, where newly formed flowers are commonly disposed above the foliage and numerous early fruit are in the ripening process.

(3) FIG. 2illustrates a row of fruiting plants on Feb. 8, 2018, wherein uniform plants and abundant fruit production is apparent.

(4) FIG. 3illustrates a row of fruiting plants on Mar. 15, 2018, wherein medium to high vigor plants and uniform production in a successive formation of flowers and very uniform conical red fruits are present.

(5) FIG. 4illustrates specimens of three-leaflet leaveswhole leaves, wherein the petioles and stipules are further apparent (designate in images as EE14.P.14.203). Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

(6) FIG. 5illustrates a specimen of a typical three-leaflet leafupper surface (designate in image as EE14.P.14.203). Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

(7) FIG. 6illustrates a specimen of a typical three-leaflet leafunder surface (designate in image as EE14.P.14.203). Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

(8) FIG. 7illustrates a specimen of a terminal leaflet (left) and a lateral leaflet (right)upper surface (designate in image as EE14.P.14.203). Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

(9) FIG. 8illustrates a specimen of a terminal leaflet (left) and a lateral leaflet (right)under surface (designate in image as EE14.P.14.203). Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

(10) FIG. 9illustrates a fruiting specimen (designate in image as EE14.P.14.203). Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

(11) FIG. 10illustrates specimens of corollatop view, close view (designate in image as EE14.P.14.203). Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

(12) FIG. 11illustrates specimens of calyxunder surface, close view (designate in image as EE14.P.14.203). Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

(13) FIG. 12illustrates specimens of petals of the flowers (designate in image as EE14.P.14.203). Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

(14) FIG. 13illustrates specimens of mature fruitwhole (designate in image as EE14.P.14.203). Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

(15) FIG. 14illustrates specimens of mature fruitinternal sections (designate in image as EE14.P.14.203). Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

(16) FIG. 15illustrates specimen of runners (stolons) on Aug. 15, 2018.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(17) The chart used in the identification of colors is that of The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S. Colour Chart), London, England, Edition V. The terminology which precedes reference to the chart has been added to indicate the corresponding color in more common terms. The detailed botanical description is based on plants which were reproduced asexually by the use of stolons at Zielona Gora-Ochla, Poland (located at 51 848 N-15 447 E), transplanted at Nova Siri (MT), Italy (located at 40 08 40 N-16 39 40 E and 10 meters above sea level) in October and growing under the cover of plastic tunnels.

(18) With regard to stolons, their description took place in Poland. These stolons are derived from frigo plants transplanted in Poland at Zielona Gora Ochla in April. Therefore the age of the plants on which the botanical description was made is between two and eight months from the transplants. Plant: Type.Short-day. Configuration.Semi-upright and dense. Vigor.Medium to high. Leaf.Approximately 23 cm to 33 cm in length on average, including the petiole. Leaflets.Number: commonly 3. size: medium in size, approximately 9 cm to 10.5 cm in length on average for terminal leaflets, and approximately 8.5 cm to 9.5 cm in width on average for terminal leaflets. terminal leaflet: commonly moderately longer in length than width, possesses a concave cross-section, a crenate margin, and an obtuse base. blistering: commonly is weak to medium in quantity. glossiness on the upper surface: medium. color: variegated coloration commonly is absent; upper surface coloration commonly being near Green Group N141A to Green Group N141B; and under surface commonly being near Green Group 138C to Green Group 139C. texture (upper surface): wrinkled, waxy puncture, not dense, presence of trichomes all over the surface. texture (lower surface): general roughness, trichomes mainly present on the ribs. venation: with respect to the main grain of each individual leaf, the main transverse ribs are grafted forming an acute angle and the curvature of the main transversal rib is more evident starting from its median zone. Stolons.High in quantity, some weak anthocyanin coloration of commonly near Red-Purple Group 65C to Red-Purple Group 65D, and the distance between plants rooted in the same stolon is approximately 35 cm to 43 cm on average. Petioles.Medium to long, approximately 18 cm to 23 cm in length on average, the average minor axis and the average major axis measured at approximately 3 cm from the base of the stipule are approximately 2.7 mm and 3.3 mm, respectively, color is commonly near Yellow-Green Group N144C to Yellow-Green Group N144B, and commonly bear generally horizontally disposed fine pubescence. Stipules.Approximately 2.2 cm to 3.1 cm in length on average, average width of a closed stipules is approximately 9.4 mm, average width of open stipules is approximately 21.8 mm and the color is Yellow-Green Group 145 B, which commonly bears some weak anthocyanin coloration of near Red-Purple Group 68D to Red-Purple Group 69A. Floral fragrance.Slightly present. Inflorescence: Flowering time.Early, second/third week of December in Nova Siri (MT), Italy (10 meters above sea level). Flower disposition.Generally slightly above the foliage. Flower number.Medium, commonly 4 to 6. Pedicel hairs.Pubescence generally disposed somewhat upwards. Pedicel length.The average length of the main and secondary pedicles measured from the base of the calyx, with the first fruit already ripe on the main axis is approximately 12 cm. Pedicel diameter.Measured at approximately 3 cm from the calyx, diameter is approximately 2.2 mm. Pedicel color.Commonly near Yellow-Green Group 144C to Yellow-Green Group 144D. Flower size.Medium to large, with primary flowers approximately 3.7 cm to 4.7 cm in diameter on average, and secondary flowers approximately 3.0 cm to 4.2 cm in diameter on average, commonly the open calyx is substantially larger in diameter than the diameter than the corolla. Petals.Number: approximately 6 to 8 on average. arrangement and shape: overlapping, somewhat rounded overall, commonly the length is equal to the width, and rounded apex. size: approximately 1.2 cm to 1.3 cm on average in length and width on average; approximately 1.4 cm on average in length and width in primary flowers and approximately 1.1 cm in length and width in secondary flowers. color: commonly near White Group N155C. texture (upper surface): spongy texture, smooth surface, glabrous, with small translucent points, quite evident ribs. texture (lower surface): slight general roughness, glabrous surface, slightly pinched. Stamens.Average number is approximately 30, average length is approximately from 4 mm to 5 mm, the color of the filament is Yellow Group 2 C. Anthers.Number is approximately 26 to 30 on average, commonly disposed below the pistils, and color is commonly near Yellow Group 9A to Yellow Group 9B. Pollen.In abundance. Stigma.Cylindrical fan, average aperture of approximately 320 m, dry, waxed, not feathery. Style.average length approximately between 1600 m to 1800 m, average diameter of 220 m, which thins at the level of insertion on the ovary, entirely crossed by a stylus channel with an average diameter of approximately 42 m, Gynobasic style. Ovary.Superior, oval shape and average major axis and the average minor axis of approximately 770 m and 510 m. Sepals.Shape: generally lanceolate in configuration, generally somewhat outwardly disposed. number: approximately 12 to 14 on average. size: approximately 1.5 cm to 2.4 cm in length on average, and approximately 5 mm to 8 mm in width on average at the broadest point. color: the upper surface is commonly near Green Group 143C to Green Group 143D and the under surface is commonly near Green Group 141C. texture (upper surface): smooth with slight waxy marks and trichomes at the edge. texture (lower surface): slightly wrinkled with presence of trichomes mainly on the basal part. Fruit: Bearing.Non-remontant. Timing.Early fruiting commonly with approximately 25 to 30 days from first blooming to first fruit ripening. Shape.Generally conical, slightly rhomboid, longer than broad, commonly with a slight difference between terminal and other fruits. Size.Medium to large, with the primary fruit approximately 6.0 cm to 7.2 cm in length on average; approximately 3.9 cm to 4.2 cm in width on average at the broadest point; and approximately 23 grams on average. Surface.Generally smooth texture with strong glossiness. External color.Substantially uniform commonly near Red Group 44A to Red Group 45B. Internal color.Flesh is commonly near Red Group 40A to Red Group 41B, and the core is commonly near Orange-Red Group 34A to Orange-Red Group 32A. Firmness.Firm to very firm. Cavity.Absent or small fruit cavity, as illustrated in FIG. 14. Achenes.located generally below the fruit surface and cover nearly the entire fruit surface commonly with only a very narrow band (if any) where achenes are absent, and commonly going from near Orange Group 25B to Red Group 45B in coloration. Calyx.Commonly the fruit is raised at the point of attachment, the calyx commonly attaches to the fruit with strong adherence, the sepals are disposed generally outwards, and the calyx diameter when open in relation to diameter of fruit is commonly slightly bigger. Peduncle.Long, approximately 25 cm to 38 cm in length on average for primary fruit, the average minor axis and the average major axis measured at approximately 3 cm from the base in cross section are approximately 3 mm and 3.4 mm, respectively, and color is commonly near Yellow-Green Group N144B to Yellow-Green Group 144C. Pedicel.Commonly with pubescence extending upwards, and color is commonly near Yellow-Green Group N144C Storability.Medium. Development: Fertilization.Self-fertile. Resistance to disease.During observations to date, the fruit of the new variety has shown mild sensitivity to Powdery Mildew after a rain period, no sensitivities to any other diseases were observed. Winter hardiness/color tolerance.Unknown. Drought/heat tolerance.Good.

(19) Plants of the NSG 203 variety have not been observed under all possible environmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotypic expression may vary somewhat with changes in light intensity and duration, cultural practices, and other environmental conditions.

SUPPLEMENTAL COMPARATIVE DATA

(20) Hereafter, additional comparative fruit data is provided for the new variety, the CHARLENE variety (i.e., the female variety), the NSG 1117 variety (i.e., the male parent), and the MELISSA variety. The plants were asexually reproduced by the use of stolons in 2017 at Zielona Gora-Ochla, Poland located at 51 848 N-15 447 E, and planted in field on Oct. 15, 2017. All varieties were grown under the cover of plastic tunnels at Nova Siri (MT) Italy located at 40 08 40 N-16 39 40 E (10 meters above sea level). The fruit were first picked on January 12 and last picked on May 30. The fruit were evaluated and compared on the dates indicated. Average data is as follow:

(21) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Accumulated Production of First Quality Fruit (g/plant) On year 2018 at Nova Siri - Italy Plant February 30th March 30th April 30th May 20th NSG 203 70 296 657 754 CHARLENE 45 170 390 595 NSG 1117 24 195 405 600 MELISSA 73 227 478 672

(22) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Overall Comparison of Average Fruit Weigh in Nova Siri - Italy on year 2018 Plant g/fruit NSG 203 23 CHARLENE 22 NSG 1117 24 MELISSA 26

(23) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Average Fruit Weight on Specified Dates March 30th April 30th May 18th Plant (grams) (grams) (grams) NSG 203 25 23 22 CHARLENE 24 22 19 NSG 1117 25 24 23 MELISSA 25 26 22

(24) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Fruit Analysis on May 30, 2018 NSG NSG 203 CHARLENE 1117 MELISSA Firmness (average)* 0.75 0.74 077 0.75 Dry Matter (%)** 8.24 8.50 8.25 8.25 pH (to 20) 3.40 3.80 3.60 3.93 Acidity as Anhydride 0.83 0.70 0.69 0.60 Citric (%) Soluble Solids (% Brix) 8.00 8.80 7.60 9.00 Maturity Index*** 9.70 12.57 11.01 15.00 *Resistance to penetration measured in kilograms using a Turoni (Italy) pentrometer (20 Kg 0.01). **Weight of residue from the titration of the fruit after drying at 103 C. until is achieved a constant weight. ***Relation between soluble solids and acidity as acetic anhydride.