Strawberry plant named ‘NSG 9’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant, referred to by its cultivar name, ‘NSG 9’, is provided which exhibits a semi-dense habit and an upright growth. ‘NSG 9’ displays, on an early basis, white inflorescence generally at a level above the foliage. ‘NSG 9’ commonly displays a calyx that is larger than the diameter of its corolla when open. ‘NSG 9’ forms in abundance early-ripening attractive fruits of large dimensions, longer in length than in width, mainly conical, with very firm flesh and orange red color. The new variety is particularly well suited for the commercial industry.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘NSG 9’, as illustrated and described herein.

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 identified by the code c20.v.17-9 (breeder reference). The illustrated strawberry plants of the new variety were asexually reproduced by stolons in a nursery at Tordesillas, Spain, 41° 494 N-4° 908 E , and were planted under the cover of plastic tunnels during mid October 2021 in Policoro (MT) located at 40° 197 N-16° 656 E, Italy.

(2) FIG. 1—illustrates a row of fruiting plants in May 2022, wherein the level of the flowering is above the foliage.

(3) FIG. 2—illustrates the new plant variety with its upright habit and medium vigor.

(4) FIG. 3—illustrates specimens of the new variety's three-leaflet leaves—under surface, wherein the petiole and stipules are further apparent. Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

(5) FIG. 4—illustrates specimens of the new variety's three-leaflet leaves—upper surface. Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

(6) FIG. 5—illustrates the under surface of the new variety's terminal leaflet and its venature.

(7) FIG. 6—illustrates a fruiting specimen of the new variety. Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

(8) FIG. 7—illustrates a flowering specimen of the new variety. Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

(9) FIG. 8—illustrates flowers from the new variety, view from above. Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

(10) FIG. 9—illustrates specimens of the new variety's calyx, view from above. Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

(11) FIG. 10—illustrates specimens of the new variety's mature fruit—whole. Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

(12) FIG. 11—illustrates specimens of the new variety's mature fruit—internal sections. Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

(13) FIG. 12—illustrates specimens of the new variety's stipules—open. Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(14) 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 in Tordesillas, Spain, located at 41° 494 N-4° 908 E, transplanted in Policoro (MT), Italy located at 40° 197 N-16° 656 E in October and grown under the cover of plastic tunnels.

(15) 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.—Spreading and semi-dense. Vigor.—Medium. Leaf.—Length approximately from 26 cm to 29 cm, petiole and stipule included. Leaflets.—Number: commonly 3. — size: medium to large in size, approximately 8 cm in length on average, and approximately 7 cm in width on average. — terminal leaflet: commonly equal in length and width, possesses a generally concave cross-section, possesses a crenate margin, and a rounded base. — blistering: commonly is high in quantity. — glossiness on the upper surface: medium. — color: variegated coloration commonly is absent; upper surface coloration commonly being near Green Group N134A and under surface commonly being near Green Group 138C. — texture (upper surface): wrinkled with small translucent waxy points and a presence of trichomes on the whole surface. — texture (lower surface): generally wrinkled with trichomes present, especially on the ribs. — venation pattern: the main transverse ribs are grafted forming an acute angle, at the insertion level of the main transverse rib there is no curvature in the initial part. The first transverse ribs, close to the base of the insertion with the petiole, have an initial curvature with a high acute angle. Stolons.—High in quantity, medium pubescence in density, color is commonly near Yellow-Green Group 144D to Yellow-Green Group 145A, weak anthocyanin coloration near Red-Purple Group 59C, and the distance between plants rooted in the same stolon is approximately 26 cm to 38 cm on average. Petioles.—Approximately 17 cm to 22 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 0.3 cm and 0.4 cm, respectively, and color is commonly near Yellow-Green Group N144C, and commonly bear generally horizontally disposed fine pubescence. Stipules.—Approximately 2.9 cm to 3.3 cm in length on average, the average width of closed stipules, measured at the base of the stipule, is approximately 1.1 cm, the average width of open stipules is approximately 2.4 cm, color is near Yellow-Green 145 C with some anthocyanin coloration of near Red-Purple Group 62A. Floral fragrance.—Present. Inflorescence: Flowering time.—Early, second/third week of December in Policoro (MT), Italy located at 40° 197 N-16° 656 E. Flower disposition.—Above the level of the foliage. Flower number.—Average, commonly 7 on average. Pedicel hairs.—Pubescence generally disposed horizontally. Pedicel color.—Commonly near Yellow-Green Group 144C. Pedicel length.—The average length of the main and secondary pedicles measured from the base of the calyx is approximately 12 cm. Pedicel diameter.—The diameter measured at approximately 2 cm from the calyx is approximately 0.2 cm. Flower size.—Big, with primary flowers approximately 3.2 cm in diameter on average, and secondary flowers approximately 2.6 cm in diameter on average. Commonly the open calyx is larger than the diameter of the corolla, being approximately 3.5 cm to 4.2 cm in diameter on average. Petals.—Number: approximately 6 to 7 on average. — arrangement and shape: overlapping, rounder and almost equal in length and width. — size: approximately 1.15 cm on average in both length and width. — color: near to White Group NN155C on the upper surface. — texture (upper surface): spongy texture, smooth, glabrous surface, with small translucent points; roughness at the level of insertion on the calyx. — texture (lower surface): slight roughness, which increases at the insertion with the base. Glabrous surface. Stamens.—Average number: approximately 23. — average length: approximately 0.2 cm to 0.5 cm. — filament color: Yellow-Green Group 1C. Anthers.—Number is approximately 22 to 24 on average and color is commonly Yellow Group 12A. Pollen.—In abundance. Stigma.—Shape: very jagged fan shape. — size: an average opening at approximately 400 μm. — texture: waxed dry stigma, not feathery. Style.—Average length: approximately between 1800 μm. — average diameter: approximately 215 μm, which thins at the level of the insertion on the ovary, entirely crossed by a stylus channel with an average diameter of approximately 40 μm. — shape: Gynobasic style. Ovary.—Superior, with slightly oval shape and average major axis and the average minor axis of approximately 700 μm and 550 μm. Sepals.—Shape: generally lanceolate in configuration; attitude is commonly upwards, and generally extend beyond the petals. — number: approximately 13 to 14 on average. — size: approximately 1.4 cm to 1.6 cm in length on average, and approximately 0.6 cm to 0.8 cm in width on average at the broadest point. — color: the upper surface is commonly near Green Group 141A to 141B and the under surface is commonly near Green Group 143D. — texture (upper surface): slightly wrinkled with trichomes and translucent waxy points on the whole surface, but especially on the borders. — texture (lower surface): slightly wrinkled with trichomes on the base and on the borders. Fruit: Bearing.—Non-remontant. Timing.—Medium fruiting commonly with approximately 32 to 36 days from first blooming to first fruit ripening. Shape.—Conical, moderately longer than broad, commonly with a medium difference between terminal and the other fruits. Size.—Large, with the primary fruit approximately 5.0 cm to 6.0 cm in length on average; approximately 3.8 cm to 4.0 cm in width on average at the broadest point; and approximately 22 grams on average. Surface.—Generally uniform with strong glossiness. External color.—Substantially uniform, commonly near Red Group 45B. Internal color.—The flesh and the core is commonly near Orange-Red Group 33B. Firmness.—Very good firmness. Cavity.—Small to medium fruit cavity, as illustrated in FIG. 11. Achenes.—Located generally below the fruit surface with only a narrow band where achenes are absent, and commonly near Red Group 45B in coloration. Calyx.—Commonly on the same level of the fruit at the point of attachment, the calyx commonly attaches to the fruit with medium adherence, the sepals are disposed generally upwards and the fruit diameter of calyx is on the same level in relation to the diameter of fruit. Peduncle.—Long, elliptical shaped in section, with the average length of the primary peduncle, measured from the base of the calyx of the primary fruit, approximately from 25 cm to 26 cm, average minor axis and the average major axis are approximately 0.4 cm and 0.5 cm respectively. The diameters of the axis are measured at approximately 3 cm from the base of the peduncle from which secondary and primary peduncles begin. The peduncle measured includes the pedicel that carries the main mature fruit and in addition the underlying peduncle. The color is commonly near Yellow-Green Group 144B to N144C. Pedicel.—Commonly with pubescence extending horizontally, and color is commonly near Yellow-Green Group N144C. Storability.—Medium to high. Development: Fertilization.—Self-fertile. Resistance to disease.—During the time of observations and to date, no sensitivities to any disease were observed. Winter hardiness/cold tolerance.—Unknown. Drought/heat tolerance.—Good.

(16) Plants of the ‘NSG 9’ 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

(17) Hereafter, additional comparative fruit data is provided for the new variety: the ‘NSG 9’ variety, the ‘NSG 203’ variety (i.e., the female parent), the ‘SIRIS’ variety (i.e., the male parent) and the ‘NSG 120’ variety. The plants were asexually reproduced by the use of stolons in 2021 in Tordesillas, Spain located at 41° 494 N-4° 908 E, and planted in field on Oct. 18, 2021. All varieties were grown under the cover of plastic tunnels in Policoro (MT), Italy located at 40° 197 N-16° 656 E . The first pick of the fruit occurred on Jan. 15, 2022 and the last pick of the fruit occurred on May 16, 2022. The fruit were evaluated and compared on the dates indicated. Average data are followed:

(18) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Accumulated Production of First Quality Fruit (g/plant) Variety February 28.sup.th March 30.sup.th April 30.sup.th May 16.sup.th ‘NSG 120’ 90 235 405 530 ‘NSG 9’ 98 212 467 680

(19) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Overall Comparison of Average Fruit Weight in Policoro - Italy on year 2022 Variety g/fruit ‘NSG 120’ 21 ‘NSG 203’ 24 ‘SIRIS’ 21 ‘NSG 9’ 22

(20) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Average Fruit Weight on Specified Dates in 2022 March 30.sup.th April 30.sup.th May 16.sup.th Variety (grams) (grams) (grams) ‘NSG 120’ 22 22 19 ‘NSG 203’ 24 26 22 ‘SIRIS’ 22 20 21 ‘NSG 9’ 22 23 21

(21) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Fruit Analysis on May 4, 2022 ‘NSG 120’ ‘NSG 203’ ‘SIRIS’ ‘NSG 9’ Firmness (average)* 0.57 0.51 0.67 0.57 Dry Matter (%)** 9.85 8 9.85 10.3 pH (to 200) 3.55 3,53 3.69 3.54 Acidity as Anhydride 0.48 0,49 0.46 0.51 Citric (%) Soluble Solids (% Brix) 10 8 10 10.5 Maturity Index*** 20.9 16.4 21.6 20.7 *Resistance to penetration measured in kilograms using a Turoni (Italy) penetrometer (20 Kg × 0.01). **Ratio ISTISAN 1996/34 pg. 7 METHOD B. *** MIP 160 2013 Rev.0.