Strawberry plant named 'ARCHER'

Abstract

This invention relates to a new and distinct June-bearing (short day responsive) strawberry plant named Archer primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the west central New York and other regions of similar climate. The plant is botanically known as Fragaria x ananassa Duch. The new plant is primarily characterized by strong vigor, longer than broad fruit, wide rounded conical fruit shape, very large primary fruit with a prominent internal cavity, uniformly large secondary and tertiary fruit, uniformity in shape between primary, secondary fruit and tertiary fruit, reflexed calyx, and intense red fruit color externally and internally.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of strawberry plant named Archer as herein described and illustrated by the characteristics set forth above.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The accompanying color photographs show typical specimens of the new plant at various stages of development as nearly true as it is possible to make in color reproductions. The depicted plant and plant parts were from the first harvest season, approximately 13 months after planting.

[0019] FIGS. 1A-B show typical fruit shape and uniformity (FIG. 1A) and fruiting truss arrangement including large single peduncle bract (FIG. 1B) of Archer.

[0020] FIGS. 2A-C show typical external fruit characteristics of Archer (FIG. 2A) including calyx structure and fruit shape compared to Jewel (FIG. 2B) and Clancy (FIG. 2C).

[0021] FIGS. 3A-C show typical internal fruit characteristics of Archer (FIG. 3A) compared to Jewel (FIG. 3B) and Clancy (FIG. 3C).

[0022] FIGS. 4A-C show leaf margin serrations for Archer (FIG. 4A), Jewel (FIG. 4B), and L'Amour (FIG. 4C).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present invention relates to a new and distinct June-bearing (short day responsive) strawberry plant designated as Archer. The plant is botanically known as Fragaria x ananassa Duch.

[0024] The following description of Archer, unless otherwise noted, is based on observations taken during the 2016 growing season in Geneva, N.Y. These measurements and ratings were taken from plants planted in May 2015. The age of the planting was approximately 13 months and in its first harvest season. Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from data collected during the 2013 and 2014 production seasons. The characteristics of the new plant may vary in detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors (temperature, rainfall, humidity, and light intensity). Where noted, color terminology follows The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, London.

Comparative Fruit Characteristics

[0025] Tables 1-4 provide comparative characteristics of Archer fruit, fruit production, and fruit quality characteristics. Fruit characteristics are taken from the first harvest season.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Fruit characteristics: Yield Cultivar (kg per ha) 2013 2014 Average Archer 12,190 18,100 15,150 Clancy 9,040 10,560 9,800 Ovation 9,830 12,680 11,260 Jewel 9,380 12,680 11,030 Seneca 17,040 11,200 14,120 Total fruit yield of Archer and similar varieties from 2 separate trials, one harvested in 2013 and one in 2014 in Geneva, NY. Fruit was harvested in June of each year. The plants of Archer and the other varieties were grown in a cooperating commercial nursery in Hartford, MI or South Deerfield, Mass. and planted in May prior to the first harvest year for both trials.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Fruit characteristics: Weight Cultivar (g per berry) 2013 2014 Average Archer 15.3 13.3 14.3 Clancy 14.7 12.8 13.8 Ovation 11.8 11.3 11.6 Jewel 13.9 10.9 12.4 Seneca 12.9 12.5 12.7 Average fruit weight of Archer and similar varieties from 2 separate trials, one harvested in 2013 and one in 2014 in Geneva, NY. Fruit was harvested in June in each year. The plants of Archer and the other varieties were grown in a cooperating commercial nursery in Hartford, MI or South Deerfield, Mass. and planted in May prior to the first harvest year for both trials.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Fruit characteristics: Color and Dimensions Character Archer LAmour Jewel Clancy RHS Exterior red 45A red 46B red 44A red 46A Color Mature Fruit Fruit Length 4.65 4.22 3.46 3.07 mean (cm) Fruit Width 4.35 3.62 3.61 3.59 mean (cm).sup.1 Fruit Length/ 1.07 1.20 1.05 0.86 Width Ratio No. Sepals/ 14.0 11.0 12.4 11.9 Berry Comparison of mature secondary fruit characteristics of Archer with standards grown in Geneva, NY. .sup.1Width is measured across the widest part of the berry, typically across the shoulders.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Fruit characteristics: Chemical Qualities Character Archer LAmour Jewel Clancy Soluble solids.sup.1,2 8.17 8.91 7.80 9.02 Titratable acidity.sup.2,3 7.55 8.93 6.61 8.93 Juice pH.sup.2 3.23 3.68 3.44 3.54 Comparison of soluble solids (% Brix), titratable acidity, and juice pH of Archer with standards grown in Geneva, NY. .sup.1Soluble solids is estimated from % Brix with % Brix being an indirect measurement of the sugar content in the fruit. .sup.2Averaged from 3 samples on 3 dates during the harvest season. .sup.3g per L equivalents of citric acid.

Detailed Fruit Characteristics of Archer

[0026] Ratio of length/width: Longer than broad.

[0027] Size: Large.

[0028] Aroma: High.

[0029] Predominant shape: Broad conical.

[0030] Difference in shapes between primary and secondary fruit: Low to moderate.

[0031] Band without achenes: Intermediate width.

[0032] Color of mature fruit: Bright to dark red.

[0033] Evenness of color: Usually even, but can be uneven with high ripening temperatures.

[0034] Glossiness: Moderate.

[0035] Insertion of achenes: Level to slightly recessed from surface.

[0036] Attitude of the calyx segments: Somewhat reflexed.

[0037] Size of calyx in relation to fruit diameter: Generally smaller.

[0038] Adherence of calyx (when fully ripe): Strong.

[0039] Firmness of skin: Moderate.

[0040] Firmness of flesh: Moderately firm.

[0041] Color of flesh: Medium red with lighter inner ring (orange-red 34B to 33C).

[0042] Distribution of red color of the flesh: Marginal through central with pale orange-red ring.

[0043] Hollow center: Strongly expressed in primary and secondary fruit.

[0044] Seed color: Medium yellow-green to occasionally red on sun exposed side (yellow-green 153D to orange-red 34B).

[0045] Time of flowering (50% of plants at first flower): Early to medium.

[0046] Time of ripening (50% of plants with first ripe fruit): Early to medium.

[0047] Type of bearing: Fully short day responsive.

Comparative Plant Characteristics

[0048] Table 5 provides comparative Archer plant characteristics. Plant characteristics are taken from a fully mature mid season plant.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Plant characteristics: Comparisons Character Archer LAmour Jewel Clancy Plant Height (mean cm) 30.4 31.9 27.3 26.1 Vigor.sup.1 8.5 8.3 5.0 7.0 Canopy density.sup.1 8.5 7.7 7.0 7.5 Comparison of plant characteristics of Archer, with standards grown in Geneva, NY. .sup.1Rated on a scale of 1-9 (9 being more vigorous or dense) in mature replicated plots.

Detailed Plant Characteristics of Archer

[0049] Size: Large.

[0050] Habit: Moderately upright.

[0051] Density: High.

[0052] Vigor: Strong.

Comparative Foliage Characteristics

[0053] Table 6 provides comparative Archer foliage characteristics. Foliage characteristics are taken from a fully mature tri-foliate during mid season.

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Foliage characteristics: Comparisons Character Archer LAmour Jewel RHS Color green 143B green 137A green 138A (upper surface) RHS Color yellow-green 146C green 139C green 137D (lower surface) Terminal 8.8 8.4 7.5 Leaflet Length mean (cm) Terminal 8.3 8.5 7.6 Leaflet Width mean (cm) Terminal 1.07 0.99 0.99 Leaflet ratio (L/W) Petiole Length 24.3 22.8 19.9 mean (cm) Serrations/Leaf 32.0 22.3 18.3 Stipule Length 2.7 3.5 3.0 mean (cm) Stipule Width 0.4 0.8 0.8 mean (cm) Comparison of leaf characteristics of Archer to standards grown in Geneva, NY.

Detailed Foliage Characteristics of Archer

[0054] Color of upper surface: Dark green.

[0055] Color of under side: Medium to light green with yellow undertone.

[0056] Shape in cross section: Slightly concave.

[0057] Interveinal blistering: Moderate to heavy

[0058] Glossiness: Moderate.

[0059] Number of leaflets/leaf: Generally three with four or five present but uncommon. [0060] Terminal leaflet

[0061] Size: Large.

[0062] Length/width ratio: Longer than broad.

[0063] Shape of base: Broadly cuneate, often uneven.

[0064] Shape serrations: Mucronate. [0065] Petiole

[0066] Pubescence density: High.

[0067] Stipule color: Light to medium yellow-green (yellow-green N144C).

[0068] Anthocyanin coloration of stipule: Common on young leaves.

[0069] Attitude of hairs: Generally toward petiole base.

[0070] Size of bract leaflets: Small.

[0071] Frequency of bract leaflets: Occur rarely on the petioles.

Comparative Flower and Inflorescence Characteristics

[0072] Table 7 provides comparative Archer inflorescence and flower characteristics. Inflorescence characteristics are taken from a fully mature plant during full bloom. Flower characteristics are taken from a secondary flower during mid season at full maturity.

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Flower and Inflorescence Characteristics: Comparisons Character Archer LAmour Jewel Fruiting Truss Length (mean cm).sup.1 25.6 32.3 20.9 Corolla Diameter (mean mm) 34 36 31 Calyx Diameter (mean mm) 32 33 34 Petal Length (mean mm) 14.8 15.4 14.0 Petal Width 13.7 13.6 13.3 Petal L/W Ratio 1.08 1.13 1.09 Petals/Flower (mean) 5.2 5.1 6.3 Sepals/Flower (mean) 10.0 11.0 12.4 Comparison of inflorescence and secondary flower characteristics of Archer with standards grown in Geneva, NY. .sup.1As measured from the base of the primary peduncle where it attaches to the crown of the plant to the furthest berry.

Detailed Inflorescence Characteristics of Archer

[0073] Position relative to foliage: Even to below.

[0074] Fruiting truss length: Medium.

[0075] Peduncle bract: Commonly large single.

Detailed Flower Characteristics of Archer

[0076] Color: White (white 155C).

[0077] Size: Medium to large.

[0078] Size of calyx relative to corolla: Equal to smaller.

[0079] Relative position of petals: Slight overlap when first fully open.

[0080] Petal length/width ratio: Longer than broad.

[0081] Petal shape: Obovate.

[0082] The varieties which are believed to most closely resemble Archer are Clancy (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,481), L'Amour (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,480), and Jewel (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,897).

[0083] In comparison to the similar plant Clancy, Archer differs by the following characteristics. The plant of Archer is taller with a more spreading in growth habit and greater vigor. The fruit of Archer is larger than that of Clancy with a more reflexed calyx. The fruit skin and flesh color of Archer is lighter red than that of Clancy. The yield of Archer is larger than that of Clancy. The fruit of Archer has lower soluble solids (% Brix) and lower titratable acids than that of Clancy with lower juice pH. The harvest season of Archer is earlier than that of Clancy and more extended in duration.

[0084] In comparison to the similar plant L'Amour, Archer differs by the following combination of characteristics. The plant of Archer is shorter and broader than L'Amour. The terminal leaflets are slightly wider and shorter in length giving them a greater length to width ratio and a broadly elliptical to obovate shape. The stipules of Archer are shorter and less wide than those of L'Amour and more commonly pigmented, especially on young petioles. The fruit of Archer is larger in size than L'Amour with a broader cross section resulting in a lower length to width ratio. The fruit of Archer has lower average soluble solids, lower titratable acids, and lower juice pH than L'Amour. The flowering trusses of Archer are shorter than those of L'Amour. The flowers of Archer are larger in diameter than the flowers of L'Amour with a lesser petal length to width ratio than L'Amour. The harvest season for Archer is more extended than that of L'Amour.

[0085] In comparison to the similar plant Jewel, Archer differs by the following combination of characteristics. The plant of Archer is more vigorous and is broader and taller than Jewel. The foliage is wider and longer in Archer compared to Jewel. The stipules of Archer are shorter and less broad than those of Jewel. The fruit of Archer is darker red in color than Jewel with a more reflexed calyx. The fruit of Archer has higher soluble solids, higher titratable acidity, and lower juice pH than that of Jewel. The fruit of Archer is larger than that of Jewel with a prominent cavity in primary and secondary fruit. The fruiting trusses of Archer are longer in overall length than those of Jewel.

[0086] Test plantings in various locations in New York, Illinois, Minnesota, and Michigan have shown this plant to be widely adapted to differing soil and climactic conditions. It has shown cold hardiness typical to strawberries in a matted row system when covered with straw in the winter, which is standard procedure for this growing region. Fruit of the new plant ripens similar to its parent L'Amour (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,480) and before its parent NY1786.

[0087] The new plant is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of west central NY, the upper mid-western U.S, the Mid-Atlantic States, and southeastern Canada. This region provides the necessary winter temperatures required for it to produce a strong vigorous plant and to produce fruit in the summer harvest season from May to July, depending on location.

[0088] Archer is known to be moderately resistant to the two-spotted spider mite and susceptible to aphids and flower thrips. It is tolerant to leaf spot, leaf blight, and leaf scorch. It is moderately susceptible to foliar powdery mildew in mid-summer. The susceptibility of the new plant to any of the virus complexes of NY has not been determined.