Strawberry plant variety named ‘DrisStrawSixtyThree’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named DrisStrawSixtyThree, particularly characterized by its early yield potential, fruit size and shape, compact plant size, and plant health, is disclosed.

Claims

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

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

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

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal cross-sections of fruit of variety DrisStrawSixtyThree.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates both the upper and lower surfaces of flowers of variety DrisStrawSixtyThree.

(5) FIG. 4A illustrates the upper surface of a leaf of variety DrisStrawSixtyThree.

(6) FIG. 4B illustrates the lower surface of a leaf of variety DrisStrawSixtyThree.

(7) FIG. 5 illustrates whole plants of variety DrisStrawSixtyThree.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

(8) The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of DrisStrawSixtyThree. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Tapalpa, Mexico for six years. 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. DrisStrawSixtyThree has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of DrisStrawSixtyThree was taken from plants that were six 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.) (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.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

(9) Classification: Species.Fragaria x ananassa. Common name.Strawberry. Denomination.DrisStrawSixtyThree. Parentage: Female parent.The proprietary variety DrisStrawTwentyFive (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,382) Male parent.The proprietary variety 7Q136 (unpatented). Plant: Height.21.5 cm. Diameter.35.7 cm. Number of crowns/plant.7. Growth habit.Spreading. Stolon: Average number of daughter plants per square foot.10. Diameter at bract.3.13 mm. Anthocyanin coloration.Absent. Leaf: Number of leaflets.Three only. Color of upper surface.RHS 136A (Dark green). Color of lower surface.RHS 138A (Moderate yellowish green). Variegation.Absent. Terminal leaflets.Length: 9.8 cm. Width: 8.6 cm. Length/width ratio: 1.1. Number of teeth/terminal leaflet: 28. Leaflet shape: Obicular. Shape of apex: Rounded. Shape of base: Rounded. Margin: Serrate to crenate. Shape in cross section: Concave. Petiole.Length: 15.5 cm. Diameter: 5.25 mm. Color: RHS 145B (Light yellow green). Attitude of hairs: Upwards. Bract frequency (number present on each petiole): 2. Petiolule.Length: 10.00 mm. Diameter: 3.05 mm. Color: RHS 145B (Light yellow green). Stipule.Length: 2.0 cm. Width: 17.58 mm. Anthocyanin coloration: Present. Anthocyanin color: RHS 50B (Deep pink). Inflorescence: Position in relation to foliage.Above. Pedicel.Length: 10 cm. Diameter: 2.5 mm. Color: RHS 145C (Light yellow green). Attitude of hairs: Upwards. Flower.Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on non-flattened flower): 29.10 mm. Flower depth: 13 mm. Arrangement of petals: Overlapping. Stamen: Present. Typical and observed number of flowers per plant: 16.80. Petal.Length: 15.40 mm. Width: 15.50 mm. Petal shape: Orbicular. Shape of apex: Rounded. Shape of base: Concavo-convex. Margin: Entire. Length/width ratio: 1.0. Typical and observed petal number: 6. Color of upper surface: RHS 157D (Greenish white). Color of lower surface: RHS 155C (Greenish white). Calyx.Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of flower): 43.11 mm. Sepal.Length (sepal tip to point of attachment to receptacle): 22.40 mm. Width: 15.40 mm. Color of upper surface: RHS 139B (Moderate yellowish green). Color of lower surface: RHS 144A (Strong yellowish green). Sepal shape: Elliptical. Shape of apex: Truncate. Margin: Entire. Typical and observed sepal number: approximately 7. Fruit: Length.46.70 mm. Width.39.00 mm. Weight (individual fruit).26.8 g. Length/width ratio.1.2. Fruit hollow length.20.40 mm. Fruit hollow width.10.40 mm. Fruit hollow length/width ratio.2.0. Shape.Conical. Color.RHS 45B (Vivid red). Position of achenes.Level with surface. Color of achenes.RHS 1B (Brilliant greenish yellow). Position of calyx attachment.Level with fruit. Attitude of sepals.Outwards. Color of flesh (excluding core).RHS 44A (Vivid red). Color of core.RHS 43B (Vivid reddish orange). Fruiting truss.Length: 26 cm. Diameter: 5 mm. Color: RHS 144B (Strong yellow green). Number of berries per truss: 7 berries. Production: Flowering interval.October to April. Harvest interval.October to April. Type of bearing.Not remontant. Productivity.30199 kg to 35941 kg of fruit per hectare per season from six-month-old plants when grown in Tapalpa, Mexico. Resistance to abiotic stress, pests and diseases: Two-spotted spider mite (tetranychus urticae).Moderately susceptible. Botrytis fruit rot (botrytis cinerea).Moderately resistant. Powdery mildew (podosphaera macularis).Moderately resistant. Xanthomonas fragariae.Moderately resistant.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

(10) DrisStrawSixtyThree differs from the proprietary female parent DrisStrawTwentyFive (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,382) in that plants of DrisStrawSixtyThree produce higher yields of fruit than plants of DrisStrawTwentyFive. Moreover, plants of DrisStrawSixtyThree are moderately resistant to botrytis fruit rot and powdery mildew, whereas plants of DrisStrawTwentyFive are susceptible to botrytis fruit rot and powdery mildew. Additionally, fruit of DrisStrawSixtyThree are more firm than fruit of DrisStrawTwentyFive.

(11) DrisStrawSixtyThree differs from the proprietary male parent 7Q136 (unpatented) in that fruit of DrisStrawSixtyThree are smaller in size, less firm, and have a sweeter flavor than fruit of 7Q136.

(12) DrisStrawSixtyThree differs from the commercial variety DrisStrawTwentySeven (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,400) in that plants of DrisStrawSixtyThree have few flowers, while plants of DrisStrawTwentySeven have a medium number of flowers. Additionally, plants of DrisStrawSixtyThree have stolons where anthocyanin coloration is absent, while plants of DrisStrawTwentySeven have stolons where anthocyanin coloration is present. Moreover, DrisStrawSixtyThree has a shape of base of terminal leaflet that is rounded, a terminal leaflet margin that is serrate to crenate, attitude of petiole hairs that is upwards, position of achenes that is level with surface of fruit, position of calyx attachment that is level with fruit, and moderate resistance to botrytis fruit rot, powdery mildew, and Xanthomonas fragariae; whereas DrisStrawTwentySeven has a shape of base of terminal leaflet that is obtuse, a terminal leaflet margin that is serrate, attitude of petiole hairs that is outwards-horizontal, position of achenes that is below surface of fruit, position of calyx attachment that is above fruit, is susceptible to botrytis fruit rot, and is moderately susceptible to powdery mildew and Xanthomonas fragariae

(13) DrisStrawSixtyThree differs from the commercial variety Driscoll El Dorado (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,238) in that plants of DrisStrawSixtyThree have sparse foliage and are moderately resistant to botrytis fruit rot and Xanthomonas fragariae, while plants of Driscoll El Dorado have dense foliage, are susceptible to botrytis fruit rot, and moderately susceptible to Xanthomonas fragariae. Additionally, terminal leaflets of DrisStrawSixtyThree have a rounded shape of base, while terminal leaflets of Driscoll El Dorado have an acute shape of base. Moreover, fruit of DrisStrawSixtyThree have a position of achenes that is level with surface of fruit and medium red flesh, while fruit of Driscoll El Dorado have a position of achenes that is below the surface of fruit and orange red flesh. Further, DrisStrawSixtyThree has a bearing that is not remontant, while Driscoll El Dorado has a bearing that is partially remontant.