Strawberry plant named ‘Camila’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria X ananassa) named Camila. This new short-day strawberry variety is characterized by a vigorous plant which produces mostly long conical fruit with a good sweet strawberry flavor, and a very desirable lighter red exterior and interior color. The variety, while short-day, is fully remontant in cool coastal environments of California.

Claims

1. A new and distinct strawberry plant named Camila 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 Camila. 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 Camila (previously designated as 23K18) were taken in October/November of 2017.

(2) FIG. 1 shows the top and bottom of a typical leaf and petiole structures of 23K18, now denominated as Camila.

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

(4) FIG. 3 shows two typical inflorescences;

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

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

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

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

(8) Camila is a new and distinct variety of strawberry (Fragaria X ananassa). It is the result of a cross between its female parent, 1D12, and Sweet Ann. The female parent 1D12, is a short-day plant, and the male parent Sweet Ann is a day neutral variety. While Camila is short-day, it is remontant (day-neutral tendencies) in cool coastal environments, and partially remontant in warmer inland 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. Camila exhibits several characteristics which are improvements over one or both of its parent varieties, and other known cultivars. The characteristics of Camila were observed in plants in late season. These characteristics and comparisons with other cultivars are discussed below.

(9) The fruiting pattern of Camila is similar to that of Sweet Ann. The fruit size of Camila is uniformly large, slightly smaller than the fruit produced by Sweet Ann, but larger than the fruit produced by 1D12. This slightly smaller size of fruit of Camila provides an advantage in packaging fruit, where fruit too large can be damaged, but fruit too small can take longer to pick, and is less marketable.

(10) The fruit of Camila, the female parent 1D12, and the male parent Sweet Ann produce long conic fruit, however the fruit of 1D12 is not as uniformly smooth. The fruit of Camila ripens more throughout the fruit rather than from the tip to the shoulders of the berry, resulting in a more uniform red color over the whole fruit when fully ripe. In contrast, the shoulders of the fruit of Sweet Ann are the last portion to ripen, and in some cases do not fully turn red. The fruit of Camila is nearly absent of any creases and is smoother than that of Sweet Ann and 1D12. While 1D12 is slightly firmer, Camila is still firm, and in fact is firmer than Sweet Ann.

(11) The data set forth for Camila 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.

(12) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Detailed Description of Characteristics of Camila 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: 39.2 cm; range: 34 cm to 43 cm. Width Average: 60.1 cm; range: 47 cm to 68 cm. Crowns Multiple crowns produced early after planting. Disease tolerance Test plots from Cal Poly showed susceptibility to Macrophomina phaseolina (Crown rot) but a moderate tolerance to Verticillium dahliae. LEAF: Width Average: 151 cm; range: 115 cm to 200 cm. Color Adaxial surface: green 357 C. Abaxial surface: green 371 U. Pubescens Medium density. Inter-vein blistering Low-moderate. Glossiness Medium. Variegation None. TERMINAL LEAFLET: Length Average: 90.1 mm; range: 70 mm to 115 mm. Width Average: 82.6 mm; range: 70 mm to 100 mm. Ratio length to width 1.09. Margins Serrate to crenate. Leaf shape Orbicular. Base shape Acute. Cross-section shape Concave. PETIOLE: Pubescens Medium density; direction: perpendicular. Petiole color Green 381 U. Petiole length Average. 26.5 cm; Range: 22.5 cm to 30.2 cm. Petiole diameter Average: 3.25 mm; Range: 2.67 mm to 3.57 mm. STIPULE: Anthocyanin Present, moderate. coloration Length Average: 30.3 mm; Range: 19 mm to 42 mm. Width Average: 11.1 mm; Range: 9 mm to 13 mm. STOLEN: Anthocyanin Present. coloration Pubescens Low to medium; upward to perpendicular direction. Diameter Average: 3.1 mm; Range: 1.78 mm to 3.57 mm. INFLORESCENCE: Flowering time Moderately early. Position At, or slightly below the canopy. Number of blooms Average: 4.4; Range: 3 to 9. Length Average: 31.5 cm; Range: 27 cm to 36 cm. Flower Average dictilieter: 29.8 mm; Range: 26 mm to 35 mm. Petal arrangement Mostly overlapping. Petal number Average: 5.5; Range: 5 to 7. Petal length Average: 10.9 mm; Range: 10 mm to 12 mm. Petal width Average: 11.5 mm; Range: 10 mm to 13 mm. Ratio length to width 0.95. Petal color Bright white 11-0601 TPX, but can transition to 1905 U when mature. Calyx Slightly larger to much larger than the corolla. Calyx color Adaxial surface: green 3435 C. Abaxial Surface: green 371 U. Stamens Average number: 29.3; Range: 25 to 32. Pedicel Attitude of hairs is perpendicular. FRUIT Bearing Remontant in cool coastal environments; partial remontance inland. Shape Well shaped, long conical. Size Seasonal average: 23 g. Achenes Approximately level with the fruit surface. Glossiness Strong. External color Red 186 C. Internal color Flesh (excluding core): Red 186 U. Evenness of external Nearly to the top of the color berry when fully ripe. Width of band at Small. top devoid of achencs Fruit center Some hollowness. Yield Average grams per plant: 1857 g. Firmness Firm, firmer than parent and cultivar Sweet Ann. % Brix Average: 8.6; Range: 7.8-9.7.

(13) The comparison statistics set forth in the following Tables are with respect to characteristics observed in the late season of Camila. All measurements for Camila were taken in Moss Landing, Calif. in 2017. In Tables 2 and 3, the characteristics of Camila 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 GP 1201.

Plants and Foliage

(14) The vigor of Camila is similar to that of Sweet Ann, while Sweet Ann has a more open architecture. The plant spread of Camila is quite a bit larger than the compared varieties, but has a leaf spread that is smaller on average. The petiole diameter of Camila is also smaller on average than that of the compared varieties.

(15) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Foliar Characteristics of Camila Compared to Lucia and Sweet Ann Foliar Cultivar Characteristics Camila Lucia Sweet Ann Plant height Average 392 391 380 (mm) Range 340-430 292-490 290-480 Plant spread Average 601 472 420 (mm) Range 470-680 430-550 330-510 Leaf width Average 151 195 165 (mm) Range 115-200 165-220 130-195 Mid-ticr leaflet Average 90 103 88 length (mm) Range 70-115 82-116 72-105 Mid-tier leaflet Average 83 91 67 width (mm) Range 64-100 73-102 52-88 Petiole length Average 265 268 220 (mm) Range 225-302 230-335 150-280 Petiole diameter Average 3.25 4.48 3.74 (mm) Range 2.67-3.78 3.70-5.80 3.01-4.29 Number of leaflets per 3 3 3 leaf Leaf convexity Concave Slight concave Slight concave Shape of leaflet base Acute Rounded to Obtuse obtuse Leaf pubescence Medium Medium Medium Petiole pubescence Medium Medium Medium Direction Perpendicular Perpendicular Perpendicular Stipule length Average 30.3 35.7 Not available (mm) Range 19-42 30-40 Stipule anthocyanin Yes Yes Yes-weak coloration Leaf margins Serrate to Serrate to Commonly crenate crenate crenate Leaf color adaxial surface 357 C 364 U 364 U Leaf color abaxial surface 371 U 363 U 370 U Petiole color 381 U 366 U 383 U Leaf surface blistering Low-medium Medium Very weak Leaf surface glossiness Medium High Medium

Flowers and Fruit

(16) Camila is a short-day variety as it blooms only once in high-elevation nurseries. It is, however, remontant in cool, coastal environments, and partially remontant in warmer inland environments. While Lucia tends to have a steady number of 5 petals, Camila fluctuates from 5 to 7 petals; more than that of Sweet Ann (5-6 petals). The mature petals of Camila have occasionally been seen to transition from bright white to a pink color in certain conditions, whereas this does not happen in Lucia or in Sweet Ann.

(17) The external color of Camila fruit is slightly darker than that of Lucia, but similar in color to Sweet Ann. The fruit of Camila has excellent fresh-market qualities, including: good conic shape and large size, lighter red color, good firmness, and good flavor.

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

(19) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Flower and Fruit Characteristics of Camila Compared to Lucia and Sweet Ann Cultivar Characteristic Camila Lucia Sweet Ann Petal number Average 5.5 5 5.4 Range 5-7 5 5-6 Petal length (mm) Average 10.9 12.44 11.21 Range 10-12 10.6-14.3 9.2-13 Petal width (mm) Average 11.5 11.86 11.1 Range 10-13 10-13 9-13 Position of flower Most mostly most (relative to canopy) exposed, exposed exposed, some below some even Pedicel length (mm) Average 315 430 330 Range 270-360 380-540 240-420 Sepal color Adaxial 3435 C 364 U 364 U Abaxial 371 U 371 U 370 U Corolla diameter (mm) Average 29.8 28.2 30.3 Range 26-35 23.5-34 27-33 Fruit color External 186 C 1788 C 185 C Internal 186U 179C 1788C

(20) Leaf samples from Camila, 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 Camila 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 Camila.

(21) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Allelic Fingerprint Analysis Cultivar Marker 1 Marker 2 Marker 3 Camila 204, 206, 224, 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

(22) Performance with respect to fruit size, yield and appearance for Camila 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 Camila 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, Camila had the second highest average seasonal yield (1,857 grams/plant), where it was only outperformed by Sweet Ann (2,003 grams/plant). While Camila had smaller average fruit weight though the season, it averaged the same as that of Ruby June for fruit size.

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

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

(26) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Comparison of Performance of Camila to Other Varieties Seasonal Seasonal Average Appearance Yield berry weight Score Cultivar grams/plant grams/berry Rating 5 = Best Camila 1,857 23 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