Atlantis

Strawberry

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Biscayne'

Summary: 'Atlantis' differs from the reference variety 'Biscayne' mainly in plant growth habit, the size and shape of the teeth at the front of the terminal leaflet, density of pubescence of the stolons, fruit size, fruit colour of the flesh and heat tolerance. The growth habit of 'Atlantis' is globose while it is flat for 'Biscayne'. 'Atlantis' has an equal size and shape of teeth at the front of the terminal leaflet while 'Biscayne' has an unequal size and shape of teeth. The pubescence on the stolons of 'Atlantis' is absent or very sparse while it is dense for 'Biscayne'. 'Atlantis' has smaller fruit with a darker red flesh colour than 'Biscayne'. 'Atlantis' is also highly susceptible to high temperatures while 'Biscayne' is moderately resistant.

Description:

PLANT: globose growth habit, medium to strong vigour

LEAF: medium green on upper side, semi-upwards profile, weak to medium interveinal blistering, more than three leaflets per leaf
TERMINAL LEAFLET: slightly concave in profile, incurving to flat attitude of leaf tip, as long as broad to longer than broad length/width ratio, acute base, acute shape of teeth
PETIOLE: moderately sparse to moderate density, hairs pointing outwards
STIPULE: weak anthocyanin colouration

STOLON: few to medium in number, weak to medium anthocyanin colouration, medium thickness, absent or very sparse pubescence

FLOWERING: early to mid season,
INFLORESCENCE: positioned above foliage
FLOWER: medium size, calyx diameter equal in size to corolla, inner calyx diameter equal in size to outer calyx
PETALS: touching to slightly overlapping, broader than long

FRUITING TRUSS: semi-erect attitude at first picking, medium in length
FRUIT: slightly broader than long to as long as broad, small to medium in size, predominant shape is conical, marked difference in shape between primary and secondary fruit, absent or very narrow band without achenes
FRUIT SKIN: absent or very weak unevenness of surface, red, even colour, medium to strong glossiness
ACHENES: insertion level with to above surface of fruit
CALYX: set in a basin, larger than fruit diameter, medium to strong adherence
FRUIT FLESH: soft to medium firmness, medium to dark red, even colour, weak sweetness, very fine texture when tasted, weak to medium acidity
FRUIT HARVEST: early season

Origin & Breeding History: 'Atlantis' originated as a result of a controlled cross between the strawberry plants '88E94' and 'Mirador' in an ongoing breeding program, and was discovered as a seedling in Hillsborough County, Florida in 1999.
The original seedling of the new cultivar was asexually propagated by stolons in a Nursery in Shasta County, California. Propagules were transplanted to a controlled breeding plot in Hillsborough County, Florida, where the variety was identified and selected for further evaluation. Selection criteria included stipule length and pubescence, frequency of paired bracts and sepal length and width.

Tests & Trials: The bare root strawberry plants were planted in the spring of 2006 on raised beds, double rows staggered, 30 cm between plants and 30 cm between rows, in a total of 4 rows per bed. Drip irrigated and daily fertilized according to Publication 513, Growing Strawberries in Ontario. The examination was completed in the summer of 2007.

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Strawberry: 'Atlantis' (left) with reference variety 'Biscayne' (right)