Strawberry plant named ‘Wasatch’

Abstract

A new and distinct Fragaria x ananassa plant named Wasatch, particularly characterized as a strong day-neutral.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Fragaria x ananassa plant named Wasatch, as illustrated and described herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Fragaria x ananassa variety Wasatch showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed morphological description, which accurately describe the color of Wasatch. Plants were set in the field in April and the photographs taken in June.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a typical fruit bearing plant of Wasatch with flowers.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a typical row of Wasatch planted in the field.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(4) The new Fragaria x ananassa Wasatch has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new variety may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, day length or soil without any change in the genotype of the strawberry plant.

(5) The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe plants of Wasatch as grown in the field in Benton Harbor, Mich., under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. The described plants were propagated from stolons and planted at a distance of 25 cm in sandy red loam soil at an elevation of about 30 meters above sea level, with drip irrigation and fertilizers as generally used in commercial practice. Average annual precipitation is about 550 mm, with an average 350 mm of precipitation in winter (December to February). Mean diurnal minimum temperature in January is 8 C., and mean diurnal maximum temperature in July is 24 C.

(6) Mother plants were planted in the beginning of May, in the field nursery at 2.5 m2.5 m distance. Overhead irrigation with addition of fertilizers was used. The average day/night temperatures during the establishment of the daughter plants, between June to August, are 32 C./18 C. respectively. Runners appeared from June, which produce young daughter plants up till mid-September

(7) Unless otherwise stated, the detailed morphological description includes observations, measurements and values taken from May to June, 2014 and based on Wasatch plants grown in a greenhouse at Michigan State University. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average or a range of measurements taken from a number of plants of Wasatch. The measurements of any individual plant or any group of plants, of the new variety may vary from the stated average or range.

(8) Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), (1986 edition), except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. All of the plants of Wasatch, insofar as they have been observed, have been consistent in all the characteristics described below.

TABLE OF CHARACTERISTICS

(9) Classification: Botanical.Fragaria x ananassa. Parentage: Female or seed parent.Seascape (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,614). Male or pollen parent.MSU 38 (Unpatented). Propagation: By runners in a greenhouse at Michigan State University. Foliar characteristics in mid-summer: Plant height (mm).15.6 (16-21). Plant spread (mm).32.8 (30-34). Growth habit.Upright. Color.137D. Leaf division.Three leaflets. Mid-tier leaflet length (mm).73.4 (70-85). Shape (length/width).58.6 (46-65). Basal angle of terminal leaflet.23.6 (19-30). Serrations of terminal leaflet.21.0 (19-25). Serrations per leaf.64.8 (62-72). Petiolule length (mm).8.2 (6-10). Petiole length (mm).149.4 (132-160). Petiole diameter (mm).3.0 (2.5-3.5). Petiole color.145B. Venation.Pinnate. Leaf pubescence.None to sparse on lower surface. Leaf blistering.Absent. Leaf glossiness.Medium. Petiole pubescence.Moderate. Petiole pubescence direction.Perpendicular. Position of the inflorescence in relation to the foliage.Same level. Number of stolons.1-4. Flowering and fruiting characteristics: Flowers per truss.6.0 (5-8). Flower position.Most exposed. Petal width (mm).7.2 (6.8-8.4). Petal color.White. Petal shape.Actinomorphic. Petal arrangement.Free. Calyx diameter (mm).27.5 (25-31). Corolla diameter (mm).20.7 (23.5-26.7). Size of the calyx in relation to the corolla.Smaller. Sepal length (mm).11.8 (10.5-14.5). Sepal width (mm).4.6 (3.5-5.0). Sepal color.146A. Stamens.Present. Number of stamens.10-15. Pedicle length (mm).31.4 (27-54). Pedicle diameter (mm).1.7 (1.0-2.0). Pedicle color.146D. Fruit width (mm).35.8 (32-40). Fruit length (mm).32.3 (28-35). Length/width.0.9 (0.7-1.0). Fruit shape.Conic. Firmness of the fruit.Firm. Size (g/frt).13.8 (9.8-15.20). Calyx diameter (mm).16.5 (12.7-19.2). Calyx position.Even with base of fruit. External color.45A. Internal color.34A. Depth of color.50%. Fruit per truss.6.0 (5-8). Achene color.163B (pale tan). Achene placement.Level. Time of beginning of flowering.Mid-April. Fruit quality measurements: Soluble solids (%).10.2. Titratable acidity (%).1.04 (0.99-1.08).