Strawberry plant variety named ‘DrisStrawSeventyEight’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named DrisStrawSeventyEight, selected for its early high yield without long gaps, fruit size, fruit eating quality, well exposed fruit, and compact plant architecture, is disclosed.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named DrisStrawSeventyEight as shown and described herein.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show fruit of the plant, flowers, leaves, and the plants. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of plants that are seven months old.

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety DrisStrawSeventyEight.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal sections of fruit of variety DrisStrawSeventyEight.

(4) FIG. 3 shows the upper and lower surfaces of flowers of variety DrisStrawSeventyEight.

(5) FIG. 4A shows the upper surface of a leaf of variety DrisStrawSeventyEight. FIG. 4B shows the lower surface of a leaf of variety DrisStrawSeventyEight.

(6) FIG. 5 shows plants of variety DrisStrawSeventyEight.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(7) The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of DrisStrawSeventyEight. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Tangancicuaro, Michoacan, Mexico from 2012 to 2018. 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. DrisStrawSeventyEight has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of DrisStrawSeventyEight was taken from plants that were seven months old. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The RHS Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (RHS) (2007 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.DrisStrawSeventyEight. Parentage: Female parent.The variety DrisStrawForty (U.S. Plant Pat No. 25,747). Male parent.The proprietary variety Pelican x 29Q268 (unpatented). Plant: Height.23.0 cm. Diameter.36.4 cm. Number of crowns per plant.3 . Growth habit.Semi-upright. Stolon: Average number of daughter plants per square foot.17. Diameter at bract.3.74 mm. Anthocyanin coloration.Weak. Anthocyanin color.RHS 42A (Vivid reddish orange). Leaf: Number of leaflets.Three only. Color of upper surface.RHS 136B (Dark yellowish green). Variegation.Absent. Terminal Leaflets.Length: 9.5 cm. Width: 4.4 cm. Length/width ratio: 2.2. Number of teeth/terminal leaflet: 22. Shape of base: Obtuse. Margin: Serrate to crenate. Shape in cross section: Convex. Petiole.Length: 13.4 cm. Diameter: 3.23 mm. Attitude of hairs: Slightly outwards. Bract frequency (number present on each petiole): 2. Petiolule.Length: 14.10 mm. Diameter: 2.43 mm. Stipule.Length: 3.2 cm. Width: 17.60 mm. Anthocyanin coloration: Weak. Anthocyanin color: RHS 61D (Deep purplish pink). Inflorescence: Position in relation to foliage.Above. Pedicel.Attitude of hairs: Slightly outwards. Flower.Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on non-flattened flower): 27.60 mm. Arrangement of petals: Overlapping. Stamen: Present. Typical and observed number of flowers per plant: 5.70. Petal.Length: 13.30 mm. Width: 14.00 mm. Length/width ratio: 1.0. Typical and observed petal number: 6. Color of upper side: RHS 11D (Pale yellow). Calyx.Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of flower): 43.50 mm. Sepal.Length (sepal tip to point of attachment to receptacle): 21.80 mm. Width: 11.70 mm. Typical and observed sepal number: 11. Fruit: Length.42.14 mm. Width.40.93 mm. Length/width ratio.1.0. Weight (individual fruit).26.9 g. Fruit hollow length.20.08 mm. Fruit hollow width.13.79 mm. Fruit hollow length/width ratio.1.5. Shape.Cordate. Color.RHS 45A (Vivid red). Position of achenes.Level with surface. Position of calyx attachment.Inserted. Attitude of sepals.Upwards. Color of flesh (excluding core).RHS 40B (Vivid reddish orange). Color of core.RHS 37A (Strong yellowish pink). Fruiting truss.Length (from crown to base of terminal flower or fruit): 21.0 cm. Diameter (at base of truss): 5.93 mm. Number of berries per fruiting truss: 7.1 Production: Flowering interval.Mid-September to mid-March. Harvest interval.Early October to mid-March. Type of bearing.Partially remontant. Productivity.32,456 kg to 51,329 kg of fruit per hectare per season from seven-month-old plants when grown in Tangancicuaro, Michoacan, Mexico. Resistance to abiotic stress, pests, and diseases: Heat.Moderately resistant. Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae).Moderately susceptible. Botrytis fruit rot (Botrytis cinerea).Moderately resistant. Powdery mildew (Podosphaera macularis).Moderately resistant. Xanthomonas fragariae.Moderately susceptible.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

(8) DrisStrawSeventyEight differs from the female parent DrisStrawForty (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,747) in that plants of DrisStrawSeventyEight produce fruit with better flavor and better shelf life than plants of DrisStrawForty. Additionally, plants of DrisStrawSeventyEight have a semi-upright growth habit and a partially remontant type of bearing, while plants of DrisStrawForty have a spreading growth habit and a not remontant type of bearing. Moreover, terminal leaflets of DrisStrawSeventyEight have an obtuse shape of base and a convex shape in cross section, while terminal leaflets of DrisStrawForty have a rounded shape of base and a concave shape in cross section.

(9) DrisStrawSeventyEight differs from the proprietary male parent Pelican x 29Q268 (unpatented) in that fruit of DrisStrawSeventyEight is firmer and more red than fruit of Pelican x 29Q268.

(10) DrisStrawSeventyEight differs from the commercial variety Driscoll Osceola (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,752) in that DrisStrawSeventyEight has inflorescence above foliage, while Driscoll Osceola has inflorescence level with to above foliage. Additionally, DrisStrawSeventyEight has an obtuse shape of base of terminal leaflet and a convex shape in cross section of terminal leaflet, while Driscoll Osceola has a rounded shape of base of terminal leaflet and a concave to slightly concave shape in cross section of terminal leaflet. Moreover, DrisStrawSeventyEight has a level with the surface insertion of achenes on fruit and an inserted position of calyx attachment on fruit, while Driscoll Osceola has a below the surface insertion of achenes on fruit and a level with fruit position of calyx attachment on fruit. Further, DrisStrawSeventyEight is higher yielding than Driscoll Osceola.

(11) DrisStrawSeventyEight differs from the commercial variety DrisStrawThirtySeven (U.S. Plant Pat No. 25,866) in that DrisStrawSeventyEight has inflorescence above foliage, while DrisStrawThirtySeven has inflorescence beneath foliage. Additionally, DrisStrawSeventyEight has an obtuse shape of base of terminal leaflet and a convex shape in cross section of terminal leaflet, while DrisStrawThirtySeven has a rounded shape of base of terminal leaflet and a slightly convex shape in cross section of terminal leaflet. Moreover, DrisStrawSeventyEight has a cordate fruit shape and a partially remontant type of bearing, while DrisStrawThirtySeven has a conical fruit shape and a not remontant type of bearing. Further, DrisStrawSeventyEight is higher yielding than DrisStrawThirtySeven.