Valley Sunset

Strawberry

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Bounty'

Summary: 'Valley Sunset' differs from 'Bounty' mainly by leaflet shape, number of flowers per stalk, width of sepals, leaf blistering, diameter of calyx relative to corolla, fruit size, firmness, colour and eveness of colour of the flesh. 'Valley Sunset' has a pair of trumpet shaped leaflets located mid-petiole on 50% of leaves while they are absent on 'Bounty'. The number of flowers per flower stalk averaged 7.6 for 'Valley Sunset' compared with 16.0 for 'Bounty'. 'Valley Sunset' has much broader sepals than 'Bounty'. The leaf blistering is strong for 'Valley Sunset' while it is moderate for 'Bounty'. The diameter of the calyx is smaller relative to the corolla for 'Valley Sunset' while it the same size for 'Bounty'. 'Valley Sunset' has larger fruit than 'Bounty'. The fruit flesh is firm, with an uneven whitish and orange red colour for 'Valley Sunset' while it is soft, with an even medium to dark red colour for 'Bounty'.

Description:

PLANT: globose growth habit, open to medium density, strong vigour, not everbearing

LEAF: medium green on upper side, slightly concave to flat in profile, strong interveinal blistering, only three leaflets per leaf
TERMINAL LEAFLET: cupped profile, as long as broad length/width ratio, obtuse base, obtuse to rounded shape of teeth
PETIOLE: dense pubescence, hairs pointing outwards

FLOWERING: very late
INFLORESCENCE: position beneath foliage
FLOWER: medium to large in size, calyx diameter smaller than corolla, inner calyx diameter slightly larger than outer calyx
PETALS: overlapping, broader than long

FRUITING TRUSS: semi-erect attitude at first picking, medium to long
FRUIT: broader than long, large, wedged and cordate, moderate difference in shape between primary and secondary fruit, narrow band without achenes
FRUIT SKIN: weak uneveness of surface, orange red, slightly uneven colour, medium glossiness
ACHENES: insertion level with surface of fruit
CALYX: insertion level with surface of fruit, clasping pose of segments, smaller than fruit diameter, weak adherence to fruit
FRUIT FLESH: medium firmness, whitish and orange red, uneven colour, medium sweetness, fine texture when tasted, medium acidity
FRUIT HARVEST: very late

Origin & Breeding History: 'Valley Sunset' was selected on June 30, 1999 from a family of 128 seedlings from the cross K94-15 x K95-24. The seedling field was located at Sheffield Mills, Kings County, Nova Scotia. The cross was accomplished under the direction of the breeder in the winter of 1998 in a greenhouse of the Atlantic Food and Horticulture Research Centre (AFHRC). The cross was conducted by emasculating the seed parent K94-15 and hand-pollinating with pollen collected from K95-24 flowers. Selection of 'Valley Sunset' was based on late season maturity, fruit size and fruit flavour.

Tests & Trials: 'Valley Sunset' was tested at the Atlantic Food and Agriculture Research Centre, Kentville, Nova Scotia during the summer of 2007 and 2008. The trials consisted of one matted row, consisting of more than 10 plants per variety. Matted rows were spaced 1.4 metres apart and measured about 5 metres x 1metre.

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Strawberry: 'Valley Sunset' (right) with reference variety 'Bounty' (left)