Strawberry plant named ‘Sangria’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa) named Sangria is presented here. This new short-day strawberry variety is characterized by a medium vigor plant which produces large, attractive, semi-glossy, long conical to occasionally wedge-shaped berries with a sweet strawberry flavor and a desirable lighter red color in the interior and exterior. Sangria is firmer than its parents, allowing for better transport. While still rare, this variety does tend to have a higher than usual propensity to have leaves with four leaflets as compared with other varieties. The variety, while short-day, is partially remontant in cool coastal environments of California.

Claims

1. A new and distinct strawberry plant named Sangria as described and illustrated.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying color photographs, identified as FIGS. 1 through 7, show the appearance of typical specimens of the new strawberry variety, initially designated 10K52, and now named Sangria. These figures depict the colors, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible given differences in color illustrations of this character. Accordingly, color in the photographs may differ slightly from the colors discussed in the botanical description. The photographs of the depicted plant, plant parts, and fruit of Sangria were taken in October/November of 2017.

(2) FIG. 1 shows the top and bottom of a typical leaf and petiole structure;

(3) FIG. 2 shows the top and bottom of typical, and rarer, leaf structure with more leaflets;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a selection of typical late-season fruit;

(5) FIG. 4 shows typical fruit shape and calyx position over the berry of Sangria;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a transverse cross-section of typical fruit internal coloration and core size;

(7) FIG. 6 shows typical inflorescences; and,

(8) FIG. 7 shows typical late-season plants in a field.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

(9) Sangria is a new and distinct variety of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa). It is the result of a cross between its female parent, 3F64, and unreleased proprietary variety, and Sweet Ann, it's male parent. 3F64 is a short-day variety, while Sweet Ann is a day-neutral variety. Sangria is a short-day variety that has partial remontant tendencies in temperate coastal environments. Plants have been observed blooming in production fields, but bloom only once in a high elevation nursery, consistent with a short-day variety. The plants of this new variety are of medium vigor, but produce multiple crowns early after planting. Sangria exhibits several characteristics which are improvements over one or both of its parent varieties, and other known cultivars. The characteristics of Sangria were observed in plants in late season.

(10) The fruit size of Sangria is large, larger than its 3F64 parent, but smaller than the fruit of Sweet Ann, it's pollen parent. This smaller size of fruit relative to Sweet Ann provides an advantage in packaging fruit where the sometimes overly large fruit of Sweet Ann can be damaged when put into packaging to accommodate the fruit. The size, however, is still large enough where it can be seen, picked, and packaged quickly and efficiently.

(11) Sweet Ann produces long conic fruit, while the fruit of Sangria are long conic and sometimes wedge shaped. The fruit of Sangria generally ripens more evenly from the tip to the shoulders of the berry, resulting in a more uniform red color over the whole fruit. In contrast, the shoulders of the fruit of Sweet Ann are the last portion to ripen, and in certain conditions don't color at all. The fruit of Sangria is mostly absent of creases and is generally smoother than the fruit of its parents, and is also firmer than its parents as well.

(12) The data set forth for Sangria in Table 1 was collected in October/November in 2017 from plants grown in a test plot in Moss Landing, Monterey County, Calif. Color terminology where noted is in accordance with the Pantone Color Formula Guide GP 1201.

(13) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Detailed Description of Characteristics of Sangria SPECIFICATION: Genus/Species Fragaria x ananassa Market Name Strawberry PARENTS: Female Proprietary variety 3F64 (Unpatented) Male Sweet Ann (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,472). PLANT: Type Short Day. Growth Habit Semi-upright. Foliage density Medium. Vigor Medium. Height Average: 29.4 cm; range: 24 cm to 35 cm. Width Average: 47.1 cm; range: 43 cm to 51 cm. Crowns Multiple crowns produced early after planting. Disease tolerance Test plots showed moderate tolerance to Macrophomina phaseolina (Crown rot) and a moderate tolerance to Verticillium dahliae. LEAF: Width Average: 134 mm; range: 120 mm to 170 mm. Color Adaxial surface: green 350 C. Abaxial surface: green 370 U. Pubescens Light density. Inter-vein blistering Low-moderate. Glossiness Medium. Variegation None. TERMINAL LEAFLET: Length Average: 84.8 mm; range: 60 mm to 100 mm. Width Average: 74.3 mm; range: 58 mm to 91 mm. Ratio length to 1.14. width Margins Serrate to crenate. Leaf shape Orbicular. Base shape Rounded to obtuse. Cross-section shape Slightly concave, to slightly convex. PETIOLE: Pubescens Medium density; direction: perpendicular. Petiole color Green 382 U. Petiole length Average: 19.8 cm; Range: 16 cm to 25.5 cm. Pctiole diameter Average: 3.38 mm; Range: 2.82 mm to 4.05 mm. STIPULE: Anthocyanin Absent. coloration Length Average: 36.6 mm; Range: 24 mm to 44 mm. Width Average: 9.4 mm; Range: 7 mm to 12 mm. STOLEN: Anthocyanin Present. coloration Pubescens Medium; upward to perpendicular direction. Diameter Average: 2.85 mm; Range: 2.11 mm to 3.35 mm. INFLORESCENCE: Flowering time Fairly early. Position Slightly below the canopy, but visible. Number of blooms Average: 5.2; Range: 3 to 7. Length Average: 24.4 cm; Range: 16 cm to 33.5 cm, Flower Average diameter: 29.2 mm; Range: 24 mm to 34 mm. Petal arrangement Mostly overlapping. Petal number Average: 5.7; Range: 5 to 7. Petal length Average: 15.3 mm; Range: 13 mm to 17 mm. Petal width Average: 13.6 mm; Range: 12 mm to 15 mm. Ratio length to 1.125. width Petal color Bright white 11-0601 TPX. Calyx Larger than the corolla. Calyx color Adaxial surface: green 364 C. Abaxial Surface: green 377 U. Stamens Average number: 33; Range: 30 to 37. Pedicel Attitude of hairs is upward. FRUIT Bearing Short-day, but partially remontant in cool coastal environments. Shape Long conical to occasionally wedge. Length Average: 48.5 mm; Range: 45 mm to 55 mm. Width Average: 39.2 mm; Range: 35 mm to 48 mm. Ratio length to 1.24. width Size Seasonal average: 24 g per berry. Achenes Sunken, approximately level with the fruit surface. Glossiness Semi-glossy. External color Red 200 C. Internal color Flesh (excluding core): Red 032 U. Evenness of external Even, slight band of no color color near calyx. Width of band at top Small. devoid of achenes Fruit center Some hollowness. Yield Average grams per plant: 1507 g. Firmness Medium-firm, firmer than parent and cultivar Sweet Ann % Brix Average: 9.5; Range: 8.6-10.6.

(14) The comparison statistics set forth in the following tables are with respect to characteristics observed in late season of Sangria. All measurements of Sangria were taken in Moss Landing, Calif. in 2017. In Table 2 and 3, the characteristics of Sangria are compared with the varieties Sweet Ann and Lucia (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,974) historical data. Color identifications where noted are in accordance with the Pantone Color Formula Guide.

Plants and Foliage

(15) The form and structure of the plants of Sangria are similar to that of Sweet Ann plants: erect and open. However, the plants of Sangria are much smaller than those of Sweet Ann. The plants of Sangria, unlike those of Sweet Ann, are more moderately vigorous in growth habit. They are more closely related in vigor to many other commercial cultivars grown in fresh strawberry production fields in California. The leaves of Sangria also have a higher proportion of having four leaflets, as opposed to the common number of three. While it is still a rare occurrence, it is still noticeable that they occur more frequently than in other common cultivars.

(16) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Foliar Characteristics of Sangria Compared to Sweet Ann and Lucia Foliar Cultivar Characteristics Sangria Lucia Sweet Ann Plant height (mm) Average 294 391 380 Range 240-350 292-490 290-480 Plant spread (mm) Average 471 4/2 420 Range 430-510 430-550 330-510 Leaf width (mm) Average 134 195 165 Range 120-170 165-220 130-195 Mid-tier leaflet Average 85 103 88 length (mm) Range 60-100 82-116 72-105 Mid-tier leaflet Average 74 91 67 width (mm) Range 58-91 73-102 52-88 Petiole length Average 198 268 220 (mm) Range 160-255 230-335 150-280 Petiole diameter Average 3.38 4.48 3.74 (mm) Range 3.09-4.05 3.70-5.80 3.01-429 Number of leaflets Mostly 3, 3 3 per leaf few 4 Leaflet convexity Concave to Slight Slight convex concave concave Shape of leaflet Round to Rounded Obtuse base obtuse to obtuse Leaflet pubescence Light Medium Medium Petiole pubescence Medium Medium Medium Direction Perpen- Perpen- Perpen- dicular dicular dicular Stipule length Average 36.6 35.7 Not available (mm) Range 24-44 1040 Stipule No Yes Yes-weak anthocyanin coloration Leaflet margins Serrate to Serrate to Commonly crenate crenate crenate Leaflet color 350 C 364U 364 U adaxial surface Leaflet color 370 U 363U 370 U abaxial surface Petiole color 382 U 366U 383 U Leaflet surface Slight- Medium Very weak blistering medium Leaflet surface Medium High Medium glossiness

Flowers and Fruit

(17) Sangria is a short-day variety that has partial remontant tendencies under certain temperature and horticultural conditions; mainly cooler coastal environments. While Lucia and Sweet Ann have longer inflorescences as compared to Sangria, when compared to the plant size, all three varieties produce flowers that are visible within or above the canopy level, leaving flowers exposed to pollinators. The petals of Sangria are also bigger than those of Sweet Ann or Lucia. The light red exterior color of the fruit of Sangria is slightly darker than that of Lucia, but of similar color to that of Sweet Ann. The culinary qualities of all three varieties are good, including: good shape and size, light red color, and a good strawberry flavor.

(18) In Table 3, comparative data for flower and fruit characteristics for Sangria, Lucia, and Sweet Ann are set forth.

(19) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Flower and Fruit Characteristics of Sangria Compared to Lucia and Sweet Ann Cultivar Chararteristic Sangria Lucia Sweet Ann Petal number Average 5.7 5 5.4 Range 5-7 5 5-6 Petal length (mm) Average 15.3 12.44 11.21 Range 13-17 10.6-14.3 9.2-13 Petal width (mm) Average 13.6 11.86 11.1 Range 12-15 10-13 9-13 Position of flower Most exposed, mostly most exposed, (relative to canopy) some below exposed some even Pedicel length Average 244 430 330 (mm) Range 160-335 380-540 240-420 Sepal color Adaxial 364 C 364 U 364 U Abaxial 377 U 371 U 370 U Corolla Average 29.2 28.2 30.3 diameter (mm) Range 24-34 23.5-34 27-33 Fruit color External 200 C 1788 C 185 C Internal 032 IJ 179 C 1788 C

(20) Leaf samples from Sangria, along with three other patented selections from the breeding program including Lucia, Scarlet, (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,034) and Ruby June (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,190) were submitted to a lab for allelic fingerprint comparison to over two hundred other varieties of strawberry in its database. The allelic fingerprint analysis establishes that Sangria is distinct and unique compared to the lab's large database of allelic fingerprints. Table 4 sets forth test results of three markers which differentiate Sangria.

(21) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Allelic Fingerprint Analysis Cultivar Marker 1 Marker 2 Marker 3 Sangria 204, 206, 229 190, 216 279, 289 Lucia 202, 204, 206, 229 188, 216, 232 279, 281, 289 Scarlet 204, 206, 214, 229 173, 190, 232 279, 281, 289 Ruby June 206, 224, 229 188, 190, 216, 232 279, 289

Performance

(22) Performance with respect to fruit size, yield and appearance for Sangria was assessed by making comparisons with several other varieties in the breeding program, including Sweet Ann, Lucia, Ruby June, and Scarlet. All the plants for this trial were initially grown at a high elevation nursery in Macdoel, Siskiyou County, Calif. Plants of Sangria and the comparison varieties were then planted and evaluated in a test plot in Moss Landing, Monterey County, Calif. in the end of 2016 through 2017.

(23) Of the varieties tested, Sangria performed similarly to three of the four varieties tested, with an average seasonal yield of 1,507 grams per plant, beating out Scarlet slightly (1,460 grams/plant) and closely behind Ruby June (1,597 grams/plant) and Lucia (1,584 grams/plant). Only the day-neutral Sweet Ann out performed Sangria in seasonal yield per plant with an average of 2,003 grams per plant. The average fruit weight of Sangria fell between Ruby June (23 grams) and Lucia (25 grams).

(24) The fruit of Sangria was also rated based upon commercial appeal on a scale of 1 (worst) to 5 (best) along with several other varieties. Sangria had a high score of 4.0, which tied it with Sweet Ann, which was better than both Ruby June (3.75) and Scarlet (3.5). Only Lucia outperformed Sangria in this comparison with a rating of 4.5, due mainly to its near uniform berries with very few creases.

(25) Table 5 shows the fruit performance of Sangria as compared to Sweet Ann, Lucia, Ruby June, and Scarlet.

(26) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Comparison of Performance of Sangria to Other Varieties Seasonal Average Appearance Seasonal Yield berry weight Score Cultivar grams/plant grams/berry Rating 5 = Best Sangria 1,507 24 4.0 Sweet Ann 2,003 31 4.0 Ruby June 1,597 23 3.75 Lucia 1,584 25 4.5 Scarlet 1,460 27 3.5