Strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawFortyTwo’

[0001] Genus and species: Fragaria×ananassa.

[0002] Variety denomination: ‘DrisStrawFortyTwo’.

[0003] The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety designated ‘DrisStrawFortyTwo’ and botanically known as Fragaria×ananassa. This new strawberry variety was discovered in Zamora, Mexico in January 2009 and originated from a cross between the proprietary female parent ‘57N261’ (unpatented) and the proprietary male parent ‘73N203’ (unpatented). A single plant was selected and asexually propagated via tissue culture and vegetative cuttings in Shasta County, California in 2009.

[0004] ‘DrisStrawFortyTwo’ underwent further testing in Zamora, Mexico for five years (2010-2014). The present invention has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations via stolons and tissue culture.

[0005] Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have not been applied for. ‘DrisStrawFortyTwo’ has not been made publicly available or sold anywhere in the world more than one year prior to the filing date of this application.

[0006] The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Zamora, Mexico.

• • [0007] 1. Dark red fruit;
  • [0008] 2. Mid-season harvest maturity; and
  • [0009] 3. Moderately resistant to Tetranychus urticae, Botrytis fruit rot and Xanthomonas fragariae.

[0015] The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawFortyTwo’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Zamora, Mexico from 2010 to 2014. 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. ‘DrisStrawFortyTwo’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawFortyTwo’ was taken from three-month-old plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2007 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^nd edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

• [0016] Classification:
  • • [0017] Species.—Fragaria×ananassa.
    • [0018] Common name.—Strawberry.
    • [0019] Denomination.—‘DrisStrawFortyTwo’.
• [0020] Parentage:
  • • [0021] Female parent.—The proprietary variety ‘57N261’ (unpatented).
    • [0022] Male parent.—The proprietary variety ‘73N203’ (unpatented).
• [0023] Plant:
  • • [0024] Height.—20.2 cm.
    • [0025] Diameter.—27.9 cm.
    • [0026] Number of crowns/plant.—4.
    • [0027] Habit.—Flat globose.
    • [0028] Density of individual plant.—Medium.
    • [0029] Vigor (health and hardiness of plant).—Medium.
• [0030] Terminal leaflets:
  • • [0031] Size.—Medium. Length: 5.7 cm. Width: 5.9 cm. Length/width ratio: 1.0 (As long as broad).
    • [0032] Number of teeth/terminal leaflet.—17.
    • [0033] Shape of teeth.—Obtuse — serrate to crenate.
    • [0034] Color.—Upper surface: RHS 139A (Dark green). Lower surface: RHS 137C (Dark green).
    • [0035] Shape in cross section.—Slightly convex.
    • [0036] Blistering.—Medium.
    • [0037] Glossiness.—Medium.
    • [0038] Number of leaflets.—Three only.
    • [0039] Shape.—Orbicular.
    • [0040] Base shape.—Rounded.
    • [0041] Apex descriptor.—Rounded.
    • [0042] Margin.—Crenate.
    • [0043] Margin profile.—Cupped.
    • [0044] Variegation.—Absent.
• [0045] Petiole:
  • • [0046] Length.—Medium; 11.7 cm.
    • [0047] Diameter.—2.74 mm.
    • [0048] Pubescence.—Medium.
    • [0049] Pose of hairs.—Upwards.
    • [0050] Color.—RHS 144A (Medium yellow-green).
    • [0051] Bract frequency.—2.
• [0052] Petiolule:
  • • [0053] Length.—8.20 mm.
    • [0054] Diameter.—1.72 mm.
    • [0055] Color.—RHS 144B (Medium yellow-green).
• [0056] Stipule:
  • • [0057] Length.—4.0 cm.
    • [0058] Width.—11.90 mm.
    • [0059] Pubescence.—Medium.
    • [0060] Stipule anthocyanin coloration.—Weak; RHS 52C (Light red).
• [0061] Stolons:
  • • [0062] Number of stolons.—Medium.
    • [0063] Average number of daughter plants per square foot.—11.
    • [0064] Anthocyanin coloration.—Strong; RHS 38C Light red.
    • [0065] Diameter at bract.—2.68 mm.
    • [0066] Thickness.—Medium.
    • [0067] Density of pubescence.—Medium.
• [0068] Inflorescence:
  • • [0069] Position relative to foliage.—Above.
    • [0070] Number of flowers.—Medium.
    • [0071] Time of flowering (50% of plants at first flower).—Medium.
    • [0072] Flowering interval.—October-February.
    • [0073] Flower size.—Medium.
    • [0074] Diameter.—26.20 mm.
    • [0075] Number of flowers per plant.—9.70.
    • [0076] Petals.—Shape: Orbicular. Apex: Rounded. Base: Concavo-convex. Margin: Entire. Spacing: Overlapping. Length: 13.00 mm. Width: 14.10 mm. Length/width ratio: 0.9 (As long as broad). Petal number per flower: 6. Color (upper surface): RHS 155C (White).
    • [0077] Calyx.—Diameter: 4.59 mm. Diameter relative to corolla: Much larger. Inner calyx diameter relative to outer: Same size. Insertion of calyx: In a basin — inserted. Pose of calyx segments: Spreading — outwards. Size of calyx in relation to fruit: Slightly larger. Adherence of calyx: Strong.
    • [0078] Sepal.—Shape: Elliptical. Apex: Convex. Margin: Entire. Length: 16.80 mm. Width: 8.40 mm. Sepal number: 12.
    • [0079] Receptacle color.—RHS 1B (Medium green-yellow).
    • [0080] Stamen.—Present. Anther color: RHS 15A (Medium yellow-orange).
    • [0081] Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Outwards — horizontal.
• [0082] Fruiting truss:
  • • [0083] Length.—Medium; 19.2 cm.
    • [0084] Diameter at base of truss.—11.15 mm.
    • [0085] Number of berries per fruiting truss.—15.
    • [0086] Attitude at first picking.—Semi-erect.
    • [0087] Color at base of truss.—RHS N144D (Light yellow-green).
• [0088] Fruit:
  • • [0089] Relative fruit size.—Medium.
    • [0090] Length.—39.90 mm.
    • [0091] Width.—29.70 mm.
    • [0092] Length/width ratio.—1.3 (Longer than broad).
    • [0093] Fruit hollow length.—21.30 mm.
    • [0094] Fruit hollow width.—7.30 mm.
    • [0095] Fruit hollow length/width ratio.—2.9 (Much longer than broad).
    • [0096] Fruit hollow center (cavity).—Medium.
    • [0097] Fruit weight.—16.6 g.
    • [0098] Predominant fruit shape.—Conical.
    • [0099] Difference in shape between primary and secondary fruits.—None or very slight.
    • [0100] Evenness of fruit surface.—Even or very slightly uneven.
    • [0101] Fruit skin color.—RHS 45A (Dark red).
    • [0102] Evenness of fruit color.—Even or very slightly uneven.
    • [0103] Fruit glossiness.—Strong.
    • [0104] Achenes.—Insertion of achenes: Level with surface. Coloration (sunward side of berry): RHS 176C (Medium greyed-orange). Coloration (shaded side of berry): RHS 153C (Medium yellow-green). Number per berry: 459.5. Weight (weight of achenes divided by total # seed): 0.00047660 g. Width of band without achenes: Absent or very narrow.
    • [0105] Firmness of flesh (when fully ripe).—Firm.
    • [0106] Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS 44B (Medium red).
    • [0107] Color of core.—RHS 44D (Light red).
    • [0108] Evenness of flesh color.—Slightly uneven.
    • [0109] Distribution of flesh color.—Marginal and central.
    • [0110] Sweetness.—Strong.
    • [0111] Acidity.—Weak.
    • [0112] Texture when tasted.—Medium.
    • [0113] Type of bearing.—Not everbearing — not remontant.
    • [0114] Harvest interval.—November-February.
    • [0115] Harvest maturity.—Mid-season.
    • [0116] Production.—292.2 grams per plant.
• [0117] Disease and pest resistance:
  • • [0118] Tetranychus urticae.—Moderately resistant.
    • [0119] Botrytis fruit rot.—Moderately resistant.
    • [0120] Powdery mildew.—Moderately susceptible.
    • [0121] Xanthomonas fragariae.—Moderately resistant.
    • [0122] Lygus herperus (Lygus bug).—Moderately resistant.

[0123] When ‘DrisStrawFortyTwo’ is compared to the female parent ‘57N261’ (unpatented), ‘DrisStrawFortyTwo’ has better flavor, later production and is a denser plant with more powdery mildew tolerance and more red mite tolerance than ‘57N261’.

[0124] When ‘DrisStrawFortyTwo’ is compared to the male parent ‘73N203’ (unpatented), ‘DrisStrawFortyTwo’ has better flavor, is a denser plant with more crowns and is more susceptible to powdery mildew and more tolerant to red mite than ‘73N203’.

[0125] When ‘DrisStrawFortyTwo’ is compared to the commercial variety ‘Driscoll Camarillo’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,771), ‘DrisStrawFortyTwo’ has a medium dense plant with a flat globose habit, whereas ‘Driscoll Camarillo’ has a open plant with a globose habit. Additionally, ‘DrisStrawFortyTwo’ has conical shaped fruit with achenes inserted level with the surface, whereas ‘Driscoll Camarillo’ has cordate shaped fruit with achenes inserted below the surface.

[0126] When ‘DrisStrawFortyTwo’ is compared to the commercial variety ‘Driscoll Osceola’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,752), ‘DrisStrawFortyTwo’ has conical shaped fruit that has strong sweetness, whereas ‘Driscoll Osceola’ has cordate shaped fruit that has medium sweetness. Additionally, ‘DrisStrawFortyTwo’ has fruit with weak acidity and a medium texture when tasted, whereas ‘Driscoll Osceola’ has fruit with medium acidity and a fine texture when tasted.