Strawberry plant named ‘Emilia’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa) named Emilia is described. This new short-day strawberry variety is characterized by large, firm fruit with an attractive light red exterior and interior color, and are long conic to wedge-shaped. The fruit have good sweet strawberry flavor. The plants of this new variety are vigorous and productive, and while this plant is short-day, it is partially remontant in cool coastal environments of California.

Claims

1. A new and distinct strawberry plant named Emilia as described and illustrated by the characterizations set forth above.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying color photographs, identified as FIGS. 1 through 6, show the appearance of typical specimens of the new strawberry variety, initially designated 22K45, and now named Emilia. 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 Emilia were taken in October/November of 2017.

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

(3) FIG. 2 shows a selection of late-season fruit;

(4) FIG. 3 shows typical inflorescences;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a transverse cross-section of typical fruit, internal color and core size;

(6) FIG. 5 shows the calyx shape and position in relation to the fruit in late-season; and,

(7) FIG. 6 shows typical plants in late-season in the fruiting field.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

(8) Emilia is a new and distinct variety of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa). It is the result of a cross between its female parent, 1D12, and unreleased proprietary variety, and Sweet Ann, it's male parent. The female parent 1D12, is a short-day plant, and the male parent Sweet Ann is a day neutral variety. While Emilia is short-day, it is partially remontant in cool coastal environments, but blooms only once in a high elevation nursery, consistent with a short-day variety. The plants of the new variety are vigorous and produce multiple crowns early after planting. Emilia exhibits several characteristics which are improvements over one or both of its parent varieties, and other known cultivars. The characteristics of Emilia were observed in plants in late season.

(9) Large fruit size in strawberries has an advantage in picking, where larger fruit can be seen easier, and trays filled faster by those picking. Fruit of Emilia are slightly smaller than those of an industry leading variety for fruit size, Sweet Ann. This slightly smaller size is advantageous in that fruit which are too large can be difficult to fit into packaging without being damaged.

(10) The fruit of Emilia, the female parent 1D12 and the male parent Sweet Ann produce mostly long conic fruit, but Emilia is sometimes wedge-shaped in nature. While fruit of Emilia is mostly uniform and smooth like that of Sweet Ann, it can also form creases and bumps at times like that of 1D12. The ripening pattern of Emilia is more throughout the fruit, which is more attractive rather than the tip to top ripening pattern of Sweet Ann, which often results in a large white shoulder. Fruit of Emilia is slightly less firm than that of 1D12, but still firm, and much firmer than fruit of Sweet Ann.

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

(12) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Detailed Description of Characteristics of Emilia SPECIFICATION: Genus/Species Fragaria x ananassa Market Name Strawberry PARENTS: Female Proprietary variety 1D12 (Unpatented) Male Sweet Ann (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,472). PLANT: Type Short Day. Growth Habit Semi-upright. Foliage density Dense. Vigor High. Height Average: 35.9 cm; range: 33 cm to 40 cm. Width Average: 55 cm; range: 52 cm to 58 cm. Crowns Multiple crowns produced early after planting. Disease tolerance Test plots from Cal Poly showed moderate tolerance to Macrophomina phaseolina (Crown rot) and a moderate tolerance to Verticillium dahliae. LEAF: Width Average: 166 mm; range: 130 mm to 220 mm. Color Adaxial surface: green 350 C. Abaxial surface: green 371 U. Pubescence Medium density. Inter-vein blistering Low. Glossiness Medium. Variegation None. TERMINAL LEAFLET: Length Average: 98.4 mm; range: 80 mm to 136 mm. Width Average: 83.4 mm; range: 67 mm to 99 mm. Ratio length to width 1.18. Margins Serrate to crenate. Leaf shape Orbicular. Base shape Acute. Cross-section shape Mostly concave. PETIOLE: Pubescence Medium density; direction: perpendicular. Petiole color Green 381 U. Petiole length Average: 29 cm; Range: 24.5 cm to 32 cm. Petiole diameter Average: 3.65 mm; Range: 3.12 mm to 4.34 mm. STIPULE: Anthocyanin Present, mild. coloration Length Average: 32.7 mm; Range: 25 mm to 45 mm. Width Average: 9.8 mm; Range: 8 mm to 12 mm. STOLON: Anthocyanin Absent. coloration Pubescence Low to medium; perpendicular direction. Diameter Average: 3.48 mm; Range: 3.06 mm to 4.27 mm. INFLORESCENCE: Flowering time Moderately early. Position Slightly below the canopy, but visible. Number of blooms Average: 5; Range: 3 to 8. Length Average: 30.4 cm; Range: 23 cm to 40 cm. Flower Average diameter: 27.7 mm; Range: 23 mm to 30 mm. Petal arrangement Not touching to overlapping. Petal number Average: 5.1; Range: 5 to 6. Petal length Average: 12.6 mm; Range: 10 mm to 15 mm. Petal width Average: 12.4 mm; Range: 10 mm to 15 mm. Ratio length to width 1.02. Petal color Bright white 11-0601 TPX. Calyx Slightly larger to much larger than the corolla. Calyx color Adaxial surface: green 357 C. Abaxial Surface: green 392 U. Stamens Average number: 24.9; Range: 22 to 27. Pedicel Attitude of hairs is perpendicular. FRUIT Bearing Partially remontant in cool coastal environments. Shape Well shaped, long conical, some wedge. Length Average: 58.1 mm; Range: 45 mm to 67 mm. Width Average: 41.8 mm; Range: 35 mm to 50 mm. Size Seasonal average: 29 g. Achenes Approximately level with the fruit surface. Glossiness Strong. External color Red 179 C. Internal color Flesh (excluding core): Red 1655 U. Evenness of external Nearly or to the top of the color berry when fully ripe. Width of band at top devoid Small. of achenes Fruit center Some hollowness. Yield Average grams per plant: 1626 g. Firmness Firm, firmer than parent and cultivar Sweet Ann. % Brix Average: 10.9; Range: 7.6-14.0.

(13) The comparison statistics set forth in the following tables are with respect to characteristics observed in late season of Emilia. All measurements of Emilia were taken in Moss Landing, Calif. in 2017. In Table 2 and 3, the characteristics of Emilia 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

(14) The vigor of Emilia, while vigorous, is less than that of Sweet Ann. The plant spread, however, is larger than that of the compared varieties. The shape of the base of the mid-tier leaflet is more acute, while the compared varieties tend to have a more rounded or obtuse leaf base. The architecture of the plant was upright, like those of the compared varieties, however Sweet Ann is more open than that of Emilia.

(15) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Foliar Characteristics of Emilia Compared to Sweet Ann and Lucia Foliar Cultivar Characteristics Emilia Lucia Sweet Ann Plant height (mm) Average 359 391 380 Range 330-400 292-490 290-480 Plant spread (mm) Average 550 472 420 Range 520-580 430-550 330-510 Leaf width (mm) Average 166 195 165 Range 130-220 165-220 130-195 Mid-tier leaflet Average 98.4 103 88 length (mm) Range 80-136 82-116 72-105 Mid-tier leaflet Average 83.4 91 67 width (mm) Range 67-99 73-102 52-88 Petiole length Average 290 268 220 (mm) Range 245-320 230-335 150-280 Petiole diameter Average 3.65 4.48 3.74 (mm) Range 3.12-4.34 3.70-5.80 3.01-4.29 Number of 3 3 3 leaflets per leaf Leaf convexity Mostly Slight Slight concave concave concave Shape of leaflet base Acute Rounded to Obtuse obtuse Leaf pubescence Medium Medium Medium Petiole pubescence Medium Medium Medium Direction Perpen- Perpen- Perpen- dicular dicular dicular Stipule length (mm) Average 32.7 35.7 Not available Range 25-45 30-40 Stipule anthocyanin Yes-mild Yes Yes-weak coloration Leaf margins Serrate to Serrate to Commonly crenate crenate crenate Leaf color 350 C 364 U 364 U adaxial surface Leaf color abaxial 371 U 363 U 370 U surface Petiole color 381 U 366 U 383 U Leaf surface blistering Low Medium Very weak Leaf surface glossiness Medium High Medium

Flowers and Fruit

(16) Emilia is a short-day variety as it blooms only once in high-elevation nurseries. It is, however, partially remontant in cool, coastal environments where it will continue to flower. Flowers of Emilia had slightly more number of average petals than Lucia, but less than Sweet Ann. Petal size, however, was bigger in Emilia than that of the compared varieties. While still visible through the canopy, the inflorescence height was smaller on Emilia than in either Lucia or Sweet Ann. The external and internal color of Emilia was slightly darker than that of Lucia, and slightly lighter than that of Sweet Ann. Of the many excellent fresh market qualities of Emilia, its size and firmness are most notable, larger and firmer than Lucia, and slightly smaller, but firmer than Sweet Ann.

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

(18) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Flower and Fruit Characteristics of Emilia Compared to Lucia and Sweet Ann Cultivar Characteristic Emilia Lucia Sweet Ann Petal number Average 5.1 5 5.4 Range 5-6 5 5-6 Petal length (mm) Average 12.6 12.44 11.21 Range 10-15 10.6-14.3 9.2-13 Petal width (mm) Average 12.4 11.86 11.1 Range 10-15 10-13 9-13 Position of flower Slightly below, mostly most exposed, (relative to canopy) but visible exposed some even Pedicel length Average 304 430 330 (mm) Range 230-400 380-540 240-420 Sepal color Adaxial 357 C 364 U 364 U Abaxial 392 U 3/1 U 370 U Corolla diameter Average 27.7 28.2 30.3 (mm) Range 23-30 23.5-34 27-33 Fruit color External 179 C 1788 C 185 C Internal 1655 U 179 C 1788 C

(19) Leaf samples from Emilia, 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 data base. The allelic fingerprint analysis establishes that Emilia 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 Emilia.

(20) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Allelic Fingerprint Analysis Cultivar Marker 1 Marker 2 Marker 3 Emilia 204, 206, 214, 229 190, 232 121, 124, 130 Lucia 202, 204, 206, 229 188, 216, 232 121, 124, 130, 136 Scarlet 204, 206, 214, 229 173, 190, 232 121, 130 Ruby June 206, 224, 229 188, 190, 216, 232 121, 130

Performance

(21) Performance with respect to fruit size, yield and appearance for Emilia 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 Emilia 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.

(22) Of the varieties tested, Emilia had the second highest average seasonal yield (1,626 grams/plant), where it was only outperformed by the day-neutral variety Sweet Ann with and average seasonal yield of 2,003 grams/plant. Emilia also had the second largest average berry weight (29 g) of the varieties, also second only to the 31-gram average berry weight of Sweet Ann.

(23) The fruit of Emilia was also rated based upon commercial appeal on a scale of 1 (worst) to 5 (best) along with several other varieties. Emilia ranked in the middle with Ruby June with a ranking average score of 3.75, ahead of Scarlet (3.5) and behind Sweet Ann (4.0) and Lucia (4.5).

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

(25) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Comparison of Performance of Emilia to Other Varieties Seasonal Average Seasonal Yield berry weight Appearance Score Cultivar grams/plant grams/berry Rating 5 = Best Emilia 1,626 29 3.75 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