Strawberry plant named ‘Ventura’

[0002] The new variety originated as a result of a controlled cross between the strawberry plants ‘Mr. P’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,840) and ‘R1’ (unpatented Driscoll variety) in an ongoing breeding program, and was discovered as a seedling in a controlled breeding plot at the Driscoll Research Ranch, Ventura County, Calif. in October 1992. The original seedling of the new cultivar was asexually propagated by stolons at the Driscoll Nursery, McArthur, Shasta County, Calif. Propagules were transplanted to a controlled breeding plot in Monterey County, Calif., where it was identified and selected for further evaluation. ‘Ventura’ was subsequently asexually propagated and underwent further testing at various locations in Ventura County, Calif. for seven years. 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 ‘Ventura’. 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 1-6.

[0004] The varieties which we believe to be similar to ‘Ventura’ from those known to us are ‘E26’ (unpatented Driscoll variety), ‘Montalvo’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,522) and ‘Baeza’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,548). There are several characteristics of the new variety that are different from, or not possessed by ‘E26’, ‘Montalvo’, and ‘Baeza’. The new variety has a globose to flat globose habit, medium density, weak to medium vigor, medium leaf glossiness, a calyx diameter that is smaller relative to the corolla, a semi-erect attitude at first picking, conical to cordate fruit shape, slight differences in shape between the primary and secondary fruit, a narrow band without achenes, insertion of the calyx that is in a basin to level, weak to medium adherence of the calyx, and fruit with firm flesh and a small hollow center.

[0005] Plants of ‘Mr. P’ were more vigorous than those of ‘Ventura’. Fruit of ‘Mr. P’ had poorer shelf-life than those of ‘Ventura’ by being more orange in color and possessing raised achenes. Plants of R1 were partially everbearing while those of ‘Ventura’ are everbearing.

[0006] 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.

[0007] FIG. 1 shows a close-up photo of the whole plant.

[0008] FIG. 2 shows the whole plant.

[0009] FIG. 3 shows the leaves of the plant.

[0010] FIG. 4 shows the leaves of the plant.

[0011] FIG. 5 shows the upper side and under side of the flowers.

[0012] FIG. 6 shows a close-up of the strawberry.

[0013] FIG. 7 shows the strawberry in longitudinal cross-section.

[0014] The following detailed description of the new variety is based upon observations taken of plants and fruit grown in Ventura County, Calif., U.S.A. Observations of ‘Ventura’, ‘E26’, ‘Montalvo’, and ‘Baeza’ 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. Color are described and the most similar color designations are provided from The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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. The petal color of ‘Ventura’ is white, 155C in The R.H.S. 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.

[0017] Table 1 provides information on the plant and fruit characteristics of the new variety ‘Ventura’ compared with characteristics of ‘E26’, ‘Montalvo’, and ‘Baeza’. Table 2 provides additional information of the plant and fruit characteristics of the new variety ‘Ventura’ compared with characteristics of the varieties ‘E26’, ‘Montalvo’, and ‘Baeza’. Table 3 provides reactions of the new variety to stresses as compared to the varieties ‘E26’, ‘Montalvo’, and ‘Baeza’. Tables 4 and 5 provide information of the new variety's reaction to pests and diseases, respectively, compared to the varieties ‘E26’, ‘Montalvo’, and ‘Baeza’. Table 6 provides isozyme characteristics of the new variety as compared to the varieties ‘E26’, ‘Montalvo’, and ‘Baeza’.

[0018] The leaf margin is crenate. Leaf texture is slightly blistered. The shape of the leaf is rounded to broadly ovate. The mid-vein color on the terminal leaflet is yellow green (154C) and the venation pattern is pinate.

[0019] The average petiole diameter is 0.37 cm. The average length of the petiole on the terminal leaflet is 1.32 cm.

[0020] The petal shape is rounded to broadly ovate. The petal margin is entire. The petal texture is smooth. The shape of the petal apex and base are rounded. The average number of petals per flower is 5.6.

[0021] The color of the stipule is yellow-green (145A).

[0022] The average sepal length is 1.1 cm. The average sepal width is 0.46 cm. The sepal color is 138A.

[0023] The average number of achenes per berry is 286.

[0024] In addition to the morphological description above, the new cultivar ‘Ventura’ 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 ‘Ventura’, ‘E26’, ‘Montalvo’ and ‘Baeza’ 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 chaaracterization of the three varieties is presented in Table 4, with the letters representing the banding patterns for each enzyme as designated in the above-identified article.