Strawberry plant named `Alisal`

Abstract

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry named `Alisal`. The variety is similar to the variety `Commander`. The variety is characterized from `Commander`, in particular, by its plant height, spread and number of crowns; bract frequency and fruit skin and flesh color.

Description

1. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new variety orginated as a result of a controlled cross between the strawberry plant `R2` (an unpatented variety of Driscoll Strawberry Associates, Inc.) and `Key Largo` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,649) 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 at the Driscoll Strawberry Associates, Inc. nursery in Shasta County, Calif. Propagules were transplanted to a controlled breeding plot on the Fly Ranch in Monterey County, Calif. in November of 1993 where the new cultivar first fruited in April of 1994 and was selected for further evaluation. `Alisal` was subsequently asexually propagated and underwent further testing in the area of Watsonville, Calif. from 1995 through 1998. 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.

2. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry named `Alisal`. 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.

3. COMPARISON TO CLOSEST VARIETIES

The variety which we believe to be closest to `Alisal` from those known to us is `Commander` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,024). There are several characteristics of the new variety that are different from, or not possessed by `Commander`. Table 1 provides information on the plant and fruit characteristics of the new variety `Alisal` compared with characteristics of `Commander`. Table 2 provides additional information of the plant and fruit characteristics of the new variety `Alisal` compared with characteristics of the varieties `Commander`, `Lido` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,534), and `Key Largo` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,469). Table 3 provides isozyme characteristics of the new variety as compared to the varieties `Commander`, `Lido` and `Key Largo`. Data was taken from each variety as grown in a side-by-side field trial with `Alisal`.

4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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.

FIG. 1 shows the general characteristics of the whole plant.

FIG. 2 shows the upper surface of two typical mature leaves of the new variety.

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.

FIG. 4 shows five typical whole fruit.

FIG. 5 shows five typical sliced fruit, illustrating the typical flesh and flesh coloration.

5. DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description of the new variety is based upon observations taken of plants and fruit grown in Watsonville, Calif., U.S.A. Observations of `Alisal` and `Commander` were taken in side by side comparison in 1998. 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 using standard Munsell Notation.

5.1 Propagation

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.

5.2 Characteristics of the New Variety

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 `Alisal` is white (N 9.5). 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.

Plants and Foliage

Plants of `Alisal` are slightly more vigorous and upright in form than those of `Commander` in side by side trials. The foliage canopy of `Alisal` is denser than that of `Commander`, `Key Largo` or `Lido` (see Table 2). The upper leaf surface of `Alisal` is lighter green than that of `Commander` and `Lido` and slightly darker than that of `Key Largo`. The shape of leaves of `Alisal` in cross section is flatter than those of `Commander` and `Lido` and slightly less flat than those of `Key Largo`. `Alisal` has pronounced interveinal leaf blistering giving the leaves a crinkled appearance. The interveinal blistering of `Alisal` is stronger than that of `Commander` and much stronger than `Lido` or `Key Largo`. The frequency of bracts on petioles of `Alisal` is much higher than that of `Commander`, `Lido` or `Key Largo`. Bracts on `Alisal` are typically present in pairs while those on the reference cultivars are typically single. Terminal leaflets of `Alisal` possess a higher number of teeth than those of `Commander` and `Key Largo` and a slightly higher number than those of `Lido`. The leaves of `Alisal` produce anthocyanin earlier in the fall of the year than those of `Commander` or `Lido`. Appearance of the anthocyanin pigment is similar in timing to that of `Key Largo`. In 1998, leaf anthocyanin first appeared on plants of `Key Largo` and `Alisal` in early-October, while on plants of `Commander` it appeared in late-October-early November.

Flower and Fruit Characteristics

The flowers of `Alisal` are similar or slightly smaller in size than those of `Commander`, while the calyx is on average larger than that of `Commander`. The date of first bloom for `Alisal` ranges from early February to early April, depending on climatic conditions. The individual bloom lasts from 2 to 5 days, also depending on climatic conditions. The petals of `Alisal` flowers are broader than long (broadly spatulate), while those of `Commander` are as broad as thay are long. `Alisal` typically displays 6 petals per flower, though petals may occationally number 5 or 7. The flower shape of `Alisal` is typical of the species. `Alisal` typically displays 10 (occasionally 12 or 14) broadly lanceolate speals. There is an average of 5.5 (range of 4 to 7) flowers per inflorescence. No fragrance is detectable. The fruit skin color of `Alisal` is darker than that of `Commander` and `Lido` but similar in color to that of `Key Largo`. The fruit flesh color of `Alisal` is white to pale rose and is similar to that of `Commander` and `Lido` but lighter red than that of `Key Largo`. The average fruit size for `Alisal` is larger than that of `Key Largo` but slightly smaller than that of `Commander` and `Lido`. The primary fruit is larger than the secondary fruit. The shape of the primary fruit is wedge to wedge-conic. The achenes of `Alisal` are red (9.7R 2.2/5.9) to yellow (9.1YR 7.3/15.7) in color and indented. In a blind taste test, fruit of `Alisal` has rated higher than that of `Commander` and less than that of `Lido`. Flavor was preferred over that of `Commander`. The shipping ability of `Alisal` fruit as measured by percent damaged fruit after transcontinental shipping is similar to that of `Commander`.

The production cycle of `Alisal` is similar to that of `Commander` but with greater late season yield (Table 1). Production of `Alisal` commences in early to mid-April and continues through early-November in the Watsonville, Calif. area. The chilling requirement of `Alisal` is approximately 2 weeks of cold storage prior to planting for optional fruit yields which is intermediate to that of `Commander` and `Lido`. The total yield for `Alisal` and `Commander` are comparable when grown under similar cultural regimes.

TABLE 1
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DETAILED COMPARISON OF `ALISAL` AND `COMMANDER`
Commander                  Alisal
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Plant Characteristics
Height of Plant                     20.85 cm
Spread of Plant                     42.80 cm
Number of Crowns                          4.1
Leaf Characteristics
Terminal Leaflet Width
8.26 cm
7.82 cm
Terminal Leaflet Length
8.38 cm
8.06 cm
Terminal Leaflet                         1.03
Length/Width Ratio
Number of Teeth/Terminal
25.44
18.50
Leaflet
Petiole Length                      20.34 cm
Bract Frequency                           20%
Stipule Length                       3.30 cm
Stipule Width                        1.02 cm
Stipule Color                   7.4GY 2.3/4∅8
Flower Characteristics
Petal Width                         12.7 mm mm
Petal Length                        12.5 mmmm
Petal Length/Width Ratio
1.06
0.98
Flower Diameter                     32.0 mm
Calyx Diameter                      31.3 mm
Fruit Characteristics
Fruit Width                        37.10 mm0 mm
Fruit Length                       38.00 mm mm
Fruit Length/Width Ratio
0.91
1.02
Average Berry Size
23.9 g
Fruit Skin Color                 8.3R 3.5/13.0
Fruit Flesh Color
9.2R 5.2/
16.7 & white   16.4 & white
Total Yield (g/plant)
1579
Late Yield (g/plant)
496
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*Yield after 8/15/98

TABLE 2
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CHARACTERISTICS OF `ALISAL`,
`COMMANDER`,  `LIDO`, and `KEY LARGO`
Commander Lidol   l Key Largo
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Plant
Habit                     flat
upright to
globose
globose
globose
globose
to flat
Density            medium to
open        open
open
dense
Vigor                  medium
weak
weak
Leaf
Color of upper
light     light to
medium to
light
side                    medium
dark green
green
6.1 GY
green
5.6 GY
6.1 GY
3.2/5.8
8.9 GY      2.3/3.6
3.2/5.8
2.3/4.7
Color of under
light       light
light
light
side                 gray--     gray-
gray-
green  green
green   green
Shape in cross
siightly
concave     concave
flat
section            concave to
flat
(mostly
flat)
Interveinal
strong to
medium to
medium
medium
blistering
very
strong
strong
Glossiness
weak to
medium to
weak to
medium
strongdium
medium
Number of
3
3
3
leaflets
Terminal         revolute
revolute
flat
revolute
leaflet margin
to flat
to flat
to fiat
profile
Terminal                   1.03
1.00
1.03
leaflet length/
width ratio
Terminal               obtuse
obtuse
acute to
leaflet shape
obtuse
obtuse
of base
Terminal               obtuse to
rounded
acute
leaflet shape
rounded
of teeth
Terminal                   18.5
22.6
19.7
leaflet average
number of teeth
Petiole                   sparse
sparse to
sparse to
pubescence
sparse to
medium
sparse
Petiole pose of
outwards
outwards
upwards to
upwards
hairs                                                          outwards
Bracts                      20%
50%
10%
frequency on
(mostly
(mostly
(mostly
(mostly
petioles                single)
single)
single)
Stolon
Number                 medium to
few to        few to
many
medium
medium
Anthocyanin
strong
weak to
medium
medium to
coloration
medium
strong
Thickness
medium
thick          thin
Pubescence
medium to
sparse   medium to
sparse
dense
Inflorescence
Position                level to
level to
above
relative to
aboveve
foliage
Flower size
medium to
large     medium
small to
medium
Diameter of
larger to
same size same size
larger to
calyx relative
same size
to larger
much
to corolla
larger
Diameter of
smaller to
same size
larger       larger
inner calyx
same size
relative to
outer
Spacing of
over-
over-
over-
over-
petals                    lapping
lapping
lapping
Petal length/
longer
broader
broader
as long as
width ratio
than broad
than long
than long
broad
to as
long as
broad
Fruiting Truss
Attitude at
semi-erect
prostrate
erect to
semi-erect
first picking
to   semi-erect
prostrate
Length             medium to
medium      short to
long
long                          medium
Fruit
Length/Width
broader
as long
as long as
as long as
Ratio                 as broad
broad
broad to
to as long
longer
as broad
than broad
Weight                    23.9 g
24.2 g
20.3 g
Predominant
conical to
conical
cordate
conical
shape                   to bi-
conical
Difference in
moderate
slight       moderate
slight
shapes between
to marked
to marked
primary and
secondary
fruits
Band without
very
narrow to
absent or
absent or
achenes           narrow to
medium
very
very
narrow
narrowrrow
Unevenness of
weak
weak
medium
very weak
surface
to weak
Skin color
red to
orange
red
red
dark red
red         6.6R
5.5R
8.3R
3.2/12.6
2.9/11.6
2.9/9.7
3.5/13.0
Evenness of
even
slightly
even
even
color                                 uneven
Glossiness
strong
strong
strong
weak to
medium
Insertion of
below the
level      below to
below to
achenes            surface
with the
level with
level with
the surface
the
surface                surface
Insertion of
in a basin
level       in a basin
level
calyx
Pose of the
spreading
spreading
spreading
spreadirig
calyx segments
to reflex
to reflex
Size of calyx
same size
same size   smaller
same size
in relation to
to larger
fruit
Firmness of
soft to
medium   medium to
medium to
flesh                  medium
firm
Color of flesh
white to
light red
pale rose
orange red
pale rose
to orange
& white
6.8R
and white
red         7.8 R/
3.7/15.8
7.0R
9.2R
5.2/16.5
4.3/16.4
5.2/16.7
Evenness of
uneven
slightly
slightly
slightly
flesh color
uneven
uneven
Distribution of
only     marginal
marginal
marginal
flesh color
marginal
and          and
and
central
central
central
Hollow center
small
medium    absent
small to
size
medium
Sweetness
medium to
medium to  strong       medium
strong
strong
Texture when
fine to
fine to
fine
medium
tasted               mediumm
Acidity                 weak to
weak
medium
medium
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5.3 Resistance to Stress

The new variety is moderately resistant to high soil pH and moderately susceptible to high soil salt levels.

5.4 Insect and Disease Resistance and Susceptibility

The `Alisal` variety is moderately susceptible to Xanthomonas fragariae and Botrytis fruit rot. The variety is moderately resistant to Powdery Mildew. `Alisal` is susceptible to Verticillium wilt. The `Alisal` variety is also susceptible to injury by the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) and lygus bug (Lygus hesperus).

5.5 ISOZYME ANALYSIS

In addition to the morphological description above, the new cultivar `Alisal` 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 relates strawberry varieties. Specifically, leaf samples of `Alisal`, `Commander`, `Lido` and `Key Largo` 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 three varieties is presented in Table 3, with the letters representing the banding patterns for each enzyme as designated in the above-identified article.

TABLE 3
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ISOZYME PHENOTYPES FOR `ALISAL`, - `COMMANDER`, `LIDO`  AND
`KEY LARGO`
Locus   Alisal Commander    Lido Key Largo
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PGI      A4     A4           A3   A1
LAP                      B3                B3
PGM                      C4                C4
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Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant, substantially as shown and described.