Strawberry plant variety named Darselect

Abstract

A strawberry plant producing large conical fruit on a vigorous plant having good rooting capacity.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure involves a newly developed strawberry, Fragaria Xannanassa Duch. plant, which has been denominated `Darselct` for purposes of international recognition. The new variety of strawberry was created by my crossing as female parent the variety known as `Elsanta` and as male parent the variety known as `Parker`.

The new variety was grown and asexually reproduced by runners and micropropagation. The plant of this invention is the resulting selection, from the stated cross, which was based on a novel and superior combination of characteristics which will be disclosed infra, as well as depicted in the drawing. The combination of characteristics reflects the novelty of this plant and of its potentially advantageous use in the production of commercial strawberry fruit as well as in planned breeding programs for the development of further superior varieties. Asexual propagation and testing in Milly La Foret, France, 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.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety. The varietal denomination of the new variety is `Darselect`. Among the characteristics which distinguish the new variety from other varieties of which I am aware are a combination of traits which include vigorous growth habit, good rooting capacity, large conical fruit with firm skin, early ripening and long harvest time. The new variety is not ever bearing. The new strawberry plant `Darselect` is a short day responsive plant.

Comparison to Closest Variety

The new variety is closest to the variety `Elsanta`, but is distinguished therefrom by producing a more erect plant, longer petioles, larger fruit and more homogenous skin color than `Elsanta`.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATION

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new variety, including fruit, foliage and flower, in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in color illustrations of this character.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show typical fruit and fruit in cross section, and illustrate the flesh, flesh coloration, and conical shape.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show plants of the new variety, plants with fruit, and foliage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description of the new variety is based upon observations taken of plants and fruit grown outdoors in Milly La Foret, France, in June.

______________________________________
Description of the New Variety and Comparison with `Elsanta`
DARSELECT   ELSANTA
______________________________________
PLANT:
Habit:       Globose       Globose, flattened
Density:     Medium        Medium to strong
Vigor:       Very vigorous Medium vigorous
Size:        High          Medium to high
Crowns,      Usually about 3
Branches:    crowns for one
plant; usually about
4 branches for one
crown; usually about
12 branches for one
plant
Size of Crown:
80% between 9 to
15 mm
Yield:       About 800 g to 900 gr
for one plant
Chilling     About 900 hours =
About 1200 hours
requirement: summ temperatures
below or equal to
+7°C
Preferred    Early July
planting time:
Peak production:
June
LEAVES:
Size:        Wide          Medium to wide
Shape:       Long
Color:       Dark green, near
139A to 137A
Leaflet Number:
3
Texture:     Medium to strong
Serration:   Pointed to obtuse
Growth habit:
Strong
Growing      Well adapted to
Preferences: growing in North of
Europe
Petioles:
Length:      About 26 to 28 cm
21 to 24 cm
Coloration:  Yellow green 144B
Yellow green 144B
Tomentum:    Strong (young leaf)
Medium to weak
Stipule
characteristics:
Length and   Medium        Medium to small on
width:                     second flower
Coloration:  Strong pink,  Little pink
slightly purpled
Runners:     Abundant and
vigorous
INFLORESCENCE:
Flower Size: High to medium on
Medium to small on
second flower second flower
Flower Color:
White, near 155D
Number of    5 to 6, sometimes 7
5 to 7
Petals:
Length of    Long          Medium
Peduncles:
Color of     Green near 137C,
Peduncle:    strong green
Length of    5 to 8 cm     Short
Pedicels:
Color of     Medium green, yellow
Pedicels:    green near 144B to
144D
Positioning of
At the same level as
Under the foliage
the flowers: the foliage
Number of    6, sometimes 5
sepals:
Position of  Tips to be detached
sepals:      from fruit
Size of Calyx:
Large         Medium; younger
Date of      End of February in
March 15 in
Flowering    Southeast; Early
Southwest
(FRANCE) :   March in Southwest
Anthers and  Very good production
pollen:      of pollen; pollen
yellow orange, near
15A; anthers near
12B
FRUIT:
Size and shape:
Most common shape is
conical, longer than
wide, large primary
fruit
Seed         At level of the skin
characteristics:
Juiciness:   Very juicy
Taste:       Very good balance
between sugar and
acidity
Color:       Red color, exterior
flesh is medium red
color
Exterior
surface:
Color:       Red, near 45A to 44B
Glossiness:  Medium, bright
Shape:       Conical
Firmness:    Very firm
Characteristics
Very firm and juicy,
of flesh and small medium core
core:
Aroma:       Present
Keeping      Medium glossy, very
qualities:   good keeping
Sugar level; 8, 7          8
measured by
refractive
index:
Acid level:  9, 9          9, 8
DISEASE      Tolerant against
Medium tolerant
RESISTANCE:  Phytothtora
cactorum; the plant
has been inoculated
for resistance
Mark (5 = very
2, 2          4
susceptible / 0 =
very resistant):
WINTER HARDINESS:
Good winter or frost
resistance; extreme
temperatures for
resistance +40°C,
-25°C
______________________________________

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant,