USPP30427P2 - Strawberry plant named ‘Emilia’ - Google Patents

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa) named ‘Emilia’ is described. This new short-day strawberry variety is characterized by large, firm fruit with an attractive light red exterior and interior color, and are long conic to wedge-shaped. The fruit have good sweet strawberry flavor. The plants of this new variety are vigorous and productive, and while this plant is short-day, it is partially remontant in cool coastal environments of California.

Description

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed:

Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Variety denomination: The new strawberry variety denomination is ‘Emilia.’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety named ‘Emilia.’ This new short-day variety is the result of a controlled cross in an ongoing breeding program by the inventor, Jimmy Bagdasarian, in 2009. The variety is botanically known as Fragaria x ananassa. The primary market of this variety is for fresh market sale of the fruit. ‘Emilia’ produces large, conical to wedge-shaped berries, which are firm, have good flavor and a light red color.

Comparison with Parent Varieties

The controlled cross which produced ‘Emilia’ was the result of a cross in 2009 between a strawberry variety used as a female parent designated ‘1D12’ (an unreleased proprietary variety), and a strawberry variety used as the male pollen parent designated ‘Sweet Ann,’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,472).

The characteristics of the female parent ‘1D12’ are: Short-day variety with very firm fruit which are light in color and can be a bit irregular in shape. The plant exhibits medium vigor with lighter green leaves.

The male pollen parent ‘Sweet Ann’ has the following characteristics: day-neutral with an open plant density and high vigor plant; leaves are medium glossy with little to no blistering; fruit are very large, conical, and sweet, with a glossy medium red color both interior and exterior, often with a white shoulder near the calyx.

‘Emilia,’ is a short-day plant, unlike its male parent ‘Sweet Ann.’ It has intermediate vigor to its parents with that more closely aligning the more vigorous ‘Sweet Ann’ in nature. It has firmer fruit than that of the pollen parent ‘Sweet Ann,’ but is not quite as firm as the fruit of the female parent ‘1D12.’ The fruit of ‘Emilia’ is fairly uniform like that of ‘Sweet Ann,’ but also has a few misshapen fruit periodically, like ‘1D12.’

The cross done to create ‘Emilia’ was carried out in Santa Cruz, Calif., USA. Pollen taken from ‘Sweet Ann’ was placed onto a flower with male parts removed on ‘1D12’ and then covered so that no other pollen could contaminate the procedure. Once the berry began to develop, the covering was removed. Ripe strawberries were then harvested, and the seed was extracted and germinated in a greenhouse in Redding, Calif., USA. The resulting seedlings were transplanted to Shastina, Calif. in 2010, grown out for an additional period, allowing them to propagate asexually through runners. Clones were then harvested and planted In breeding plots in fruiting fields in late September in: Oxnard, Calif. (Ventura County), and mid-October in Watsonville, Calif. (Monterey County). The selection of the new variety was first made in Watsonville, Calif., and given the designation ‘22K45’ in 2011. This selection was later named ‘Emilia.’

The variety was further propagated asexually by runners (stolens) in breeding plots in: Macdoel, Calif. (Siskiyou County), and Manteca, Calif. (San Joaquin County). The new variety has also been “meristemed.” Small pieces of plant material of approximately 0.5 mm in diameter and consisting of the undifferentiated meristem tissue and one or two leaf primordia were removed from the buds on crowns of young daughter plants, then placed on nutrient medium, and new plants were grown from them. Planting stock from the “meristemed” plants are growing in a screenhouse located in Redding, Calif. These propagules of ‘Emilia’ are identical to the original plant in all distinguishing characteristics. The propagation has been monitored throughout the process, and all traits disclosed herein remain fixed and true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘Emilia’ is a short-day variety exhibiting the following combination of characteristics, which have been observed repeatedly, and which distinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

• • 1. The variety produces large size fruit;
  • 2. The fruit is mostly a long conic shape, and occasionally wedge-shaped;
  • 3. The fruit is a medium glossy, light red exterior and interior color;
  • 4. The fruit is sweet tasting, with good flavor;
  • 5. The variety is productive, producing a high volume of fruit;
  • 6. The plants are vigorous and maintain an upright architecture;
  • 7. The variety is partially remontant in cool coastal environments.

‘Emilia’ fruit is larger than that of its female parent ‘1D12, but slightly smaller than that of its paternal parent ‘Sweet Ann.’ The appearance of ‘Emilia’ is better than that of ‘1D12’ and more similar to that of ‘Sweet Ann’ with the occasional crease or bump. The ripening pattern of ‘Emilia’ is preferred to that of ‘Sweet Ann’ in that it ripens more fully to the top of the berry. Under certain conditions, ‘Sweet Ann’ does not color all the way to the calyx, so it can be perceived as not being fully ripe. The firmness of ‘Emilia’ is similar to the very firm ‘1D12,’ which is firmer than that of ‘Sweet Ann.’ Fruit of ‘Emilia’ is also a light red color, which is often preferred by shippers of fresh strawberries because darker fruit can be perceived as being overly ripe by consumers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color photographs, identified as FIGS. 1 through 6, show the appearance of typical specimens of the new strawberry variety, initially designated ‘22K45,’ and now named ‘Emilia.’ These figures depict the colors, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible given differences in color illustrations of this character. Accordingly, color in the photographs may differ slightly from the colors discussed in the botanical description. The photographs of the depicted plant, plant parts, and fruit of ‘Emilia’ were taken in October/November of 2017.

FIG. 1 shows the top and bottom of a typical leaf and petiole structure of ‘Emilia;’

FIG. 2 shows a selection of late-season fruit;

FIG. 3 shows typical inflorescences;

FIG. 4 shows a transverse cross-section of typical fruit, internal color and core size;

FIG. 5 shows the calyx shape and position in relation to the fruit in late-season; and,

FIG. 6 shows typical plants in late-season in the fruiting field.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

‘Emilia’ is a new and distinct variety of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa). It is the result of a cross between its female parent, ‘1D12,’ and unreleased proprietary variety, and ‘Sweet Ann,’ it's male parent. The female parent ‘1D12,’ is a short-day plant, and the male parent ‘Sweet Ann’ is a day neutral variety. While ‘Emilia’ is short-day, it is partially remontant in cool coastal environments, but blooms only once in a high elevation nursery, consistent with a short-day variety. The plants of the new variety are vigorous and produce multiple crowns early after planting. ‘Emilia’ exhibits several characteristics which are improvements over one or both of its parent varieties, and other known cultivars. The characteristics of ‘Emilia’ were observed in plants in late season.

Large fruit size in strawberries has an advantage in picking, where larger fruit can be seen easier, and trays filled faster by those picking. Fruit of ‘Emilia’ are slightly smaller than those of an industry leading variety for fruit size, ‘Sweet Ann.’ This slightly smaller size is advantageous in that fruit which are too large can be difficult to fit into packaging without being damaged.

The fruit of ‘Emilia,’ the female parent ‘1D12’ and the male parent ‘Sweet Ann’ produce mostly long conic fruit, but ‘Emilia’ is sometimes wedge-shaped in nature. While fruit of ‘Emilia’ is mostly uniform and smooth like that of ‘Sweet Ann,’ it can also form creases and bumps at times like that of ‘1D12.’ The ripening pattern of ‘Emilia’ is more throughout the fruit, which is more attractive rather than the tip to top ripening pattern of ‘Sweet Ann,’ which often results in a large white shoulder. Fruit of ‘Emilia’ is slightly less firm than that of ‘1D12,’ but still firm, and much firmer than fruit of ‘Sweet Ann.’

The data set forth for ‘Emilia’ in Table 1 was collected from a plot in Moss Landing, Monterey County, Calif. in October/November in 2017. Color terminology where noted herein is in accordance with the Pantone Color Formula Guide GP 1201.

TABLE 1
Detailed Description of Characteristics of ‘Emilia’

SPECIFICATION:
Genus/Species	Fragaria x ananassa
Market Name	Strawberry
PARENTS:
Female	Proprietary variety ‘1D12’
	(Unpatented)
Male	‘Sweet Ann’ (U.S.
	Plant Pat. No. 22,472).
PLANT:
Type	Short Day.
Growth Habit	Semi-upright.
Foliage density	Dense.
Vigor	High.
Height	Average: 35.9 cm; range:
	33 cm to 40 cm.
Width	Average: 55 cm; range:
	52 cm to 58 cm.
Crowns	Multiple crowns produced
	early after planting.
Disease tolerance	Test plots from Cal Poly
	showed moderate tolerance to
	Macrophomina phaseolina (Crown rot)
	and a moderate tolerance
	to Verticillium dahliae.
LEAF:
Width	Average: 166 mm; range:
	130 mm to 220 mm.
Color	Adaxial surface: green 350 C.
	Abaxial surface: green 371 U.
Pubescence	Medium density.
Inter-vein blistering	Low.
Glossiness	Medium.
Variegation	None.
TERMINAL LEAFLET:
Length	Average: 98.4 mm;
	range: 80 mm to 136 mm.
Width	Average: 83.4 mm;
	range: 67 mm to 99 mm.
Ratio length to width	1.18.
Margins	Serrate to crenate.
Leaf shape	Orbicular.
Base shape	Acute.
Cross-section shape	Mostly concave.
PETIOLE:
Pubescence	Medium density; direction:
	perpendicular.
Petiole color	Green 381 U.
Petiole length	Average: 29 cm; Range:
	24.5 cm to 32 cm.
Petiole diameter	Average: 3.65 mm; Range:
	3.12 mm to 4.34 mm.
STIPULE:
Anthocyanin	Present, mild.
coloration
Length	Average: 32.7 mm; Range:
	25 mm to 45 mm.
Width	Average: 9.8 mm; Range:
	8 mm to 12 mm.
STOLON:
Anthocyanin	Absent.
coloration
Pubescence	Low to medium;
	perpendicular direction.
Diameter	Average: 3.48 mm; Range:
	3.06 mm to 4.27 mm.
INFLORESCENCE:
Flowering time	Moderately early.
Position	Slightly below the canopy,
	but visible.
Number of blooms	Average: 5;
	Range: 3 to 8.
Length	Average: 30.4 cm;
	Range: 23 cm to 40 cm.
Flower	Average diameter: 27.7 mm;
	Range: 23 mm to 30 mm.
Petal arrangement	Not touching to overlapping.
Petal number	Average: 5.1;
	Range: 5 to 6.
Petal length	Average: 12.6 mm;
	Range: 10 mm to 15 mm.
Petal width	Average: 12.4 mm;
	Range: 10 mm to 15 mm.
Ratio length to width	1.02.
Petal color	Bright white 11-0601 TPX.
Calyx	Slightly larger to much
	larger than the corolla.
Calyx color	Adaxial surface: green 357 C.
	Abaxial Surface: green 392 U.
Stamens	Average number: 24.9;
	Range: 22 to 27.
Pedicel	Attitude of hairs is perpendicular.
FRUIT
Bearing	Partially remontant in cool
	coastal environments.
Shape	Well shaped, long conical,
	some wedge.
Length	Average: 58.1 mm; Range:
	45 mm to 67 mm.
Width	Average: 41.8 mm; Range:
	35 mm to 50 mm.
Size	Seasonal average: 29 g.
Achenes	Approximately level with
	the fruit surface.
Glossiness	Strong.
External color	Red 179 C.
Internal color	Flesh (excluding core):
	Red 1655 U.
Evenness of external	Nearly or to the top of the
color	berry when fully ripe.
Width of band at top devoid	Small.
of achenes
Fruit center	Some hollowness.
Yield	Average grams
	per plant: 1626 g.
Firmness	Firm, firmer than parent and
	cultivar ‘Sweet Ann.’
% Brix	Average: 10.9;
	Range: 7.6-14.0.

The comparison statistics set forth in the following tables are with respect to characteristics observed in late season of ‘Emilia.’ All measurements of ‘Emilia’ were taken in Moss Landing, Calif. in 2017. In Table 2 and 3, the characteristics of ‘Emilia’ are compared with the varieties ‘Sweet Ann’ and ‘Lucia’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,974) historical data. Color identifications where noted are in accordance with the Pantone Color Formula Guide.

Plants and Foliage

The vigor of ‘Emilia,’ while vigorous, is less than that of ‘Sweet Ann.’ The plant spread, however, is larger than that of the compared varieties. The shape of the base of the mid-tier leaflet is more acute, while the compared varieties tend to have a more rounded or obtuse leaf base. The architecture of the plant was upright, like those of the compared varieties, however ‘Sweet Ann’ is more open than that of ‘Emilia.’

TABLE 2
Foliar Characteristics of ‘Emilia’ Compared to ‘Sweet Ann’ and ‘Lucia’

Foliar

Cultivar

Characteristics		‘Emilia’	‘Lucia’	‘Sweet Ann’
Plant height (mm)	Average	359	391	380
	Range	330-400	292-490	290-480
Plant spread (mm)	Average	550	472	420
	Range	520-580	430-550	330-510
Leaf width (mm)	Average	166	195	165
	Range	130-220	165-220	130-195
Mid-tier leaflet	Average	98.4	103	88
length (mm)	Range	80-136	82-116	72-105
Mid-tier leaflet	Average	83.4	91	67
width (mm)	Range	67-99	73-102	52-88
Petiole length	Average	290	268	220
(mm)	Range	245-320	230-335	150-280
Petiole diameter	Average	3.65	4.48	3.74
(mm)	Range	3.12-4.34	3.70-5.80	3.01-4.29
Number of		3	3	3
leaflets per leaf
Leaf convexity		Mostly	Slight	Slight
		concave	concave	concave
Shape of leaflet base		Acute	Rounded to	Obtuse
			obtuse
Leaf pubescence		Medium	Medium	Medium
Petiole pubescence		Medium	Medium	Medium
Direction		Perpen-	Perpen-	Perpen-
		dicular	dicular	dicular
Stipule length (mm)	Average	32.7	35.7	Not
				available
	Range	25-45	30-40
Stipule anthocyanin		Yes-mild	Yes	Yes-weak
coloration
Leaf margins		Serrate to	Serrate to	Commonly
		crenate	crenate	crenate
Leaf color		350 C	364 U	364 U
adaxial surface
Leaf color abaxial		371 U	363 U	370 U
surface
Petiole color		381 U	366 U	383 U
Leaf surface blistering		Low	Medium	Very weak
Leaf surface glossiness		Medium	High	Medium

Flowers and Fruit

‘Emilia’ is a short-day variety as it blooms only once in high-elevation nurseries. It is, however, partially remontant in cool, coastal environments where it will continue to flower. Flowers of ‘Emilia’ had slightly more number of average petals than ‘Lucia,’ but less than ‘Sweet Ann.’ Petal size, however, was bigger in ‘Emilia’ than that of the compared varieties. While still visible through the canopy, the inflorescence height was smaller on ‘Emilia’ than in either ‘Lucia’ or ‘Sweet Ann.’ The external and internal color of ‘Emilia’ was slightly darker than that of ‘Lucia,’ and slightly lighter than that of ‘Sweet Ann.’ Of the many excellent fresh market qualities of ‘Emilia,’ its size and firmness are most notable, larger and firmer than ‘Lucia,’ and slightly smaller, but firmer than ‘Sweet Ann.’

In Table 3, comparative data for flower and fruit characteristics for ‘Emilia,’ ‘Lucia,’ and ‘Sweet Ann’ are set forth.

TABLE 3
Flower and Fruit Characteristics of ‘Emilia’ Compared to
‘Lucia’ and ‘Sweet Ann’

Cultivar

Characteristic		‘Emilia’	‘Lucia’	‘Sweet Ann’
Petal number	Average	5.1	5	5.4
	Range	5-6	5	5-6
Petal length (mm)	Average	12.6	12.44	11.21
	Range	10-15	10.6-14.3	9.2-13
Petal width (mm)	Average	12.4	11.86	11.1
	Range	10-15	10-13	9-13
Position of flower		Slightly below,	mostly	most exposed,
(relative to canopy)		but visible	exposed	some even
Pedicel length	Average	304	430	330
(mm)	Range	230-400	380-540	240-420
Sepal color	Adaxial	357 C	364 U	364 U
	Abaxial	392 U	3/1 U	370 U
Corolla diameter	Average	27.7	28.2	30.3
(mm)	Range	23-30	23.5-34	27-33
Fruit color	External	179 C	1788 C	185 C
	Internal	1655 U	179 C	1788 C

Leaf samples from ‘Emilia,’ along with three other patented selections from the breeding program including ‘Lucia,’ ‘Scarlet,’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,034) and ‘Ruby June’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,190) were submitted to a lab for allelic fingerprint comparison to over two hundred other varieties of strawberry in its data base. The allelic fingerprint analysis establishes that ‘Emilia’ is distinct and unique compared to the lab's large database of allelic fingerprints. Table 4 sets forth test results of three markers which differentiate ‘Emilia.’

TABLE 4
Allelic Fingerprint Analysis

Cultivar	Marker 1	Marker 2	Marker 3
‘Emilia’	204, 206, 214, 229	190, 232	121, 124, 130
‘Lucia’	202, 204, 206, 229	188, 216, 232	121, 124, 130, 136
‘Scarlet’	204, 206, 214, 229	173, 190, 232	121, 130
‘Ruby June’	206, 224, 229	188, 190, 216, 232	121, 130

Performance

Performance with respect to fruit size, yield and appearance for ‘Emilia’ was assessed by making comparisons with several other varieties in the breeding program, including ‘Sweet Ann,’ ‘Lucia,’ ‘Ruby June,’ and ‘Scarlet.’ All the plants for this trial were initially grown at a high elevation nursery in Macdoel, Siskiyou County, Calif. Plants of ‘Emilia’ and the comparison varieties were then planted and evaluated in a test plot in Moss Landing, Monterey County, Calif. in the end of 2016, through 2017.

Of the varieties tested, ‘Emilia’ had the second highest average seasonal yield (1,626 grams/plant), where it was only outperformed by the day-neutral variety ‘Sweet Ann’ with and average seasonal yield of 2,003 grams/plant. ‘Emilia’ also had the second largest average berry weight (29 g) of the varieties, also second only to the 31-gram average berry weight of ‘Sweet Ann.’

The fruit of ‘Emilia’ was also rated based upon commercial appeal on a scale of 1 (worst) to 5 (best) along with several other varieties. ‘Emilia’ ranked in the middle with ‘Ruby June’ with a ranking average score of 3.75, ahead of ‘Scarlet’ (3.5) and behind ‘Sweet Ann’ (4.0) and ‘Lucia’ (4.5).

Table 5 shows the fruit performance of ‘Emilia’ as compared to ‘Sweet Ann,’ ‘Lucia,’ ‘Ruby June,’ and ‘Scarlet.’

TABLE 5
Comparison of Performance of ‘Emilia’ to Other Varieties

		Seasonal Average
	Seasonal Yield	berry weight	Appearance Score
Cultivar	grams/plant	grams/berry	Rating 5 = Best

‘Emilia’	1,626	29	3.75
‘Sweet Ann’	2,003	31	4.0
‘Ruby June’	1,597	23	3.75
‘Lucia’	1,584	25	4.5
‘Scarlet’	1,460	27	3.5

Claims (1)

I claim:

1. A new and distinct strawberry plant named ‘Emilia’ as described and illustrated by the characterizations set forth above.

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