DrisStrawFour

Strawberry

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Osceola'

Summary: 'Drisstrawfour' differs from the reference variety, 'Osceola', mainly in leaf blistering, cross section of the terminal leaflet, shape of teeth, anthocyanin colouration of the stolon, stolon pubescence, length/width ratio of the petals and harvest maturity. The leaves of 'Drisstrawfour' have strong blistering whereas the leaves of 'Osceola' have medium blistering. The terminal leaflets of 'Drisstrawfour' have rounded teeth and are slightly concave to flat in cross section whereas they have obtuse teeth and are strongly convex on 'Osceola'. The stolons of 'Drisstrawfour' have very strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration and sparse pubescence whereas they have medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration and dense pubescence on 'Osceola'. The petals of 'Drisstrawfour' are broader than they are long whereas they are as long as they are broad to longer than broad on 'Osceola'. 'Drisstrawfour' matures early and is fully everbearing whereas 'Osceola' matures late and is partially everbearing.

Description:

PLANT: flat growth habit, medium to dense, medium vigour, fully everbearing

LEAF: medium to dark green on upper side, semi-upwards to horizontal profile, strong interveinal blistering, only three leaflets per leaf
TERMINAL LEAFLET: slightly concave to flat in cross section, flat leaf tip, as long as broad length/width ratio, obtuse base, rounded teeth
PETIOLE: medium density of pubescence, hairs pointing upwards and outwards, weak to medium anthocyanin colouration of stipules

STOLON: medium in number, very strong anthocyanin colouration, thick, sparse pubescence

FLOWERING: very early
INFLORESCENCE: positioned level with to above foliage
FLOWER: medium sized, calyx diameter larger than the corolla, inner calyx diameter same size as the outer calyx
PETALS: overlapping, broader than they are long

FRUITING TRUSS: prostrate attitude at first picking, short to medium length
FRUIT: as long as they are broad, medium sized, cordate, slight difference in shape between primary and secondary fruit, medium width band without achenes
FRUIT SURFACE: smooth, orange red to red, even colour, medium to strong glossiness
ACHENES: insertion level with surface of fruit
CALYX: insertion set level with fruit , reflexed pose of segments, same size to larger than fruit diameter, strong adherence to fruit
FRUIT FLESH: medium firmness, light red to orange red, slightly uneven colour with lighter colour near the middle, strong sweetness, medium texture when tasted, medium acidity
FRUIT HARVEST: early, fully everbearing

Origin & Breeding History: 'Drisstrawfour' arose from the controlled cross between a proprietary seedling selection, '6F364' and 'Mirador', conducted between October 1998 and January 1999 at Garrison Farm in Hillsborough County, Florida, USA. 'Drisstrawfour' was selected from the seedling population in December, 2000 based on fruit size and yield. It was asexually propagated at Driscoll Nursery in Shasta County, California and subsequently propagated and further tested for six years in the nursery in Hillsborough County, Florida. Further selection was conducted based on yield, vigour and reliable propagation.

Tests & Trials: The tests and trials for 'Drisstrawfour' were conducted at Variety Rights Management, Oxford Station, Ontario during the summer of 2008. Twenty plants of each variety were planted in two rows in a zig-zag pattern, with rows spaced 1.0 metre apart and plants spaced approximately 0.75 metres apart within the row. Straw and biodegradable plastic mulching were used for weed control.

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Strawberry: 'Drisstrawfour' (right) with reference variety 'Osceola' (left)

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Strawberry: 'Drisstrawfour' (right) with reference variety 'Osceola' (left)