Strawberry plant named ‘Biscayne’

[0002] The new variety originated as a result of a controlled cross between the strawberry plants ‘Key Largo’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,649) and ‘L3’ (unpatented proprietary) in an ongoing breeding program, and was discovered as a seedling in a controlled breeding plot. The original seedling of the new cultivar was asexually propagated by stolons in Shasta County, California. Propagules were transplanted to a controlled breeding plot in Valrico, Hillsborough County, Fla. where the new cultivar first fruited in December 1994 and was selected for further evaluation. ‘Biscayne’ was subsequently asexually propagated and underwent further testing in the area of Valrico, Fla. from 1995-1999. This propagation and testing has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein which characterize the new variety are fixed and retained true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

[0003] The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry named ‘Biscayne’. The variety is botanically identified as Fragaria×ananassa. The new variety is distinguished from other varieties by a number of characteristics as set forth in Tables 1, 2 and 3.

[0004] The vartieties which we believe to be closest to ‘Biscayne’ from those known to us are ‘Key Largo’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,649), ‘Captiva’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 08/858,843, allowed) and ‘Mirador’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 08/862,821, allowed). There are several characteristics of ‘Biscayne’ that are different from, or not possessed by ‘Key Largo’, ‘Captiva’ or ‘Mirador’. Table 1 provides information on the plant and fruit characteristics of the new variety ‘Biscayne’ compared with characteristics of ‘Key Largo’, ‘Captiva’ and ‘Mirador’. Table 2 provides additional information of the plant and fruit characteristics of the new variety ‘Biscayne’ compared with characteristics of the varieties ‘Captiva’, ‘Key Largo’, and ‘Mirador’. Table 3 provides isozyme characteristics of the new variety as compared to the varieties ‘Key Largo’, ‘Captiva’ and ‘Mirador’.

[0005] The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new variety, including fruit, foliage and flowers, in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in color illustrations of these characteristics.

[0006] FIG. 1 shows the fruit in longitudinal section, illustrating the typical flesh coloration.

[0007] FIG. 2 shows the upper surface of the two typical folioles of the new variety.

[0008] FIG. 3 shows the flower and reproductive organs of the new variety, as well as the size and position of the petals and sepals and the underside of the calyx.

[0009] FIG. 4 shows typical whole fruit.

[0010] This following detailed description of the new variety is based upon observations taken of plants and fruit grown in Valrico, Fla., U.S.A. Observations of ‘Biscayne’, ‘Key Largo’, ‘Captiva’ and ‘Mirador’ were taken in side by side comparison in 1999. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic and cultural conditions. Colors are described and the closest matching color ratings are provided using The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart.

[0011] The new variety is principally propagated by way of stolons. Although propagation by stolons is presently preferred, other known methods of propagating strawberry plants may be employed.

[0012] Information on the new variety is presented in Tables 1, 2 and 3. In the tables, the flowers described are secondary flowers except where indicated. Petal color of ‘Biscayne’ is white which is not referenced in The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart. The fruit described is the secondary fruit on one year old plants. Fruit and flower measurements are an average of both primary and secondary fruit and flowers, respectively.

[0013] Plants of ‘Biscayne’ are of strong vigor compared to medium vigor for ‘Captiva’, ‘Key Largo’ and ‘Mirador’. The habit of ‘Biscayne’ is flat globuse while that of ‘Key Largo’ and ‘Mirador’ is globuse. The density of ‘Biscayne’ is medium compared to open for ‘Mirador’. The average plant height is 20.4 cm, the average plant diameter is 39.5 cm, and the average number of crowns/plant is 3.3.

[0014] The upperside of ‘Biscayne’ leaves are dark green with an RHS color rating of 137A. The underside of the leaves is light green having an RHS color rating of 139C.

[0015] The leaf profile is concave and there is weak interveinal leaf-blistering. The plants have three leaflets only. The terminal leaflet margin profile is revolute and the length-to-width ratio of the terminal leaflet is broader than long. The leaves have medium glossiness. The shape of the base of the terminal leaflet is rounded and the average number of teeth per terminal leaflet is 28.5. The average length and width of the terminal leaflet are 9.2 cm and 9.8 cm, respectively.

[0016] The petiole has dense pubescence and the pose of the petiole hairs is outwards. The average petiole length is 12.7 cm. The petiole color has an RHS color rating of 144B.

[0017] The bract frequency is 100% and the bracts typically occur in pairs compared to ‘Captiva’ and ‘Mirador’ having single bracts occurring with a frequency of 60%.

[0018] The stipule length and width are 4.2 cm and 2.3 cm, respectively. The stipule pubescence is sparse.

[0019] ‘Biscayne’ has numerous stolons that are of medium thickness with strong anthocyanin coloration and medium pubescence.

[0020] The position of the ‘Biscayne’ inflorescence is level with the foliage compared to that of ‘Key Largo’, ‘Captiva’ which are beneath and ‘Mirador’ which is above. The flowers are medium in size. The average petal length and width are 1.3 cm and 1.5 cm, respectively. The average flower diameter is 3.4 cm. The average calyx diameter is 4.4 cm.

[0021] The diameter of calyx is larger than the corolla. On secondary flowers, the diameter of the inner calyx is the same size as the outer calyx. On secondary flowers with 5 to 6 petals, the petals are overlapping. The petal length-to-width ratio on secondary flowers is broader than they are long compared to ‘Key Largo’, and ‘Captiva’ which are as long as broad.

[0022] The fruiting trusses are long in length with an average length of 17.1 cm from the crown to the base of the terminal flower or fruit. The attitude at first picking is semi-erect compared with prostrate and erect for ‘Captiva’ and ‘Mirador’, respectively.

[0023] Observations of ‘Biscayne’ fruit were taken of secondary fruit on one year old plants. The fruit are predominantly conical in shape. The fruit length to maximum width ratio is longer than broad. The fruit are medium in size. The average length and width of the fruit are 3.8 cm and 3.7 cm, respectively. There is a slight differencce in fruit shape between the primary and secondary fruits. The band without achenes is narrow. The fruit surface has a weak unevenness.

[0024] The fruit skin color is even and red with an RHS color rating of 46B and has medium glossiness.

[0025] The insertion of the achenes is level with the surface of the fruit.

[0026] The calyx is inserted with the fruit and the pose of the calyx segments is spreading compared to that of ‘Key Largo’ which is reflexed. The calyx diameter is larger than the fruit diameter. The adherence of the calyx to the fruit is strong.

[0027] The fruit flesh is firm when fully ripe. The color of the fruit flesh is medium red with an RHS color rating of 44A. The fruit flesh color is slightly uneven, and the fruit flesh color distribution is marginal and central. The fruit has a large sized hollow center.

[0028] The fruit has a medium sweetness, with medium acidity and fine texture.

[0029] The time of flowering when 50% of the plants are at first flower early, Initial flowering occurs in late-October to early-November.

[0030] The harvest maturity when 50% of the plants possess ripe fruit is early. Season of harvest is from late-November through early-April. ‘Biscayne’ is partially everbearing variety.

[0031] The average number of stamens is 29.

[0032] Anthocyanin coloration is red to purple red.

[0033] The average number of pedicels/peduncle is 4.2. Average peduncle diameter is 4.5 mm and average peduncle length is 13.9 cm. The average pedicel diameter is 2.2 mm and average pedicel length is 9.5 cm. Average petiole diameter is 3.4 mm.

[0034] Achene insertion is level with surface. Achene color is yellow to red (13B to 46A).

[0035] The average number of sepals is 10.5. Average sepal length 1.14 cm.

[0036] Percent brix is 9.4. The amount of pollen produced is abundant and fertile.

[0037] The ‘Biscayne’ variety is moderately susceptible to Xanthomonas fragariaeand Botrytis fruit rot. The variety is susceptible to Powdery Mildew and Verticillium wilt. The ‘Biscayne’ variety is also susceptible to injury by the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae), lygus bug (Lygus hesperus) and Aphis spp (Aphids). ‘Biscayne’ is moderately resistant to Strawberry Mottle Virus.

[0038] In addition to the morphological description above, the new cultivar ‘Biscayne’ has been analyzed to obtain an indication of its genetic makeup to provide further means for identifying the new variety and distinguishing it from some other somewhat similar and/or related strawberry varieties. Specifically, leaf samples of ‘Biscayne’, ‘Captiva’, ‘Key Largo’ and ‘Mirador’ were analyzed by electrophoresis for isozyme patterns of the enzymes phosphoglucoisomerase (PGI), leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) and phosphoglucomutase (PGM). See J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci.106:684-687. Isozyme characterization of the four varieties is presented in Table 3, with the letters representing the banding patterns for each enzyme as designated in the above-identified article.