Monterey

Strawberry

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Albion', 'Diamante', 'Portola' and 'San Andreas'

Summary: 'Monterey' differs from the reference varieties, 'Albion', 'Diamante', 'Portola' and 'San Andreas', mainly in plant vigour, shape of terminal leaflet base, stolon anthocyanin colouration, position of the inflorescence in relation to the foliage, petal spacing, diameter of the calyx relative to the corolla, attitude of the fruiting truss at first picking, fruit shape and fruit glossiness. Plant vigour of 'Monterey' is very strong whereas it is strong in 'Albion' and medium in 'Portola' and medium to strong in 'San Andreas'. The base of the terminal leaflet of 'Monterey' is moderately oblique whereas it is obtuse in 'Albion' and 'Diamante'. The intensity of anthocyanin colouration on the stolons of 'Monterey' is weak whereas it is medium on 'San Andreas' and medium to strong on 'Portola'. The inflorescence of 'Monterey' is positioned level with the foliage whereas it is well above the foliage on 'Portola' and above the foliage on 'San Andreas'. The diameter of the calyx of 'Monterey' is smaller than to the same size as the corolla whereas it is larger than the corolla on 'Albion', 'Diamante' and 'San Andreas'. The petals of 'Monterey' are free to touching whereas they are touching to overlapping on 'Diamante', 'Portola' and 'San Andreas'. The attitude of the fruiting truss at first picking of 'Monterey' is semi-erect whereas it is erect on 'Albion' and 'Portola'. The fruit shape of 'Monterey' is bi-conical whereas it is almost cylindrical in 'Albion' and 'Diamante' and wedged in 'Portola'. Fruit glossiness on 'Monterey' is very weak whereas it is medium to strong on 'Albion' and strong on 'Diamante', 'Portola' and 'San Andreas'.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit, medium to dense, very strong vigour, fully everbearing

LEAF: medium green on upper side, flat to slightly convex in profile, strong interveinal blistering, only three leaflets per leaf
TERMINAL LEAFLET: flat profile, as long as broad to longer than broad length/width ratio, moderately oblique base, acute shape of teeth
PETIOLE: dense pubescence, hairs pointing upwards, very weak anthocyanin colouration of stipules

STOLON: few to medium in number, weak anthocyanin colouration, thick, medium density of pubescence

FLOWERING: early to mid-season
INFLORESCENCE: positioned level with foliage
FLOWER: medium to large, calyx diameter smaller than to the same size as the corolla, inner calyx diameter smaller than outer calyx
PETALS: free to touching, as long as they are broad

FRUITING TRUSS: semi-erect attitude at first picking, long
FRUIT: longer than they are broad, medium to large, bi-conical, no or very slight difference in shape between primary and secondary fruit, narrow band without achenes
FRUIT SURFACE: medium uneveness of surface, red, evenness of colour, very weak glossiness
ACHENES: insertion below to level with surface of fruit
CALYX: insertion set level to above level of fruit, reflexed pose of segments, larger than fruit diameter, strong adherence to fruit
FRUIT FLESH: very firm, dark red, even in colour, strong sweetness, fine texture when tasted, medium acidity
FRUIT HARVEST: early to mid-season

REACTION TO PESTS: susceptible to highly susceptible to Aphis spp., susceptible to Lygus lineolaris (tarnished plant bug)
REACTION TO DISEASES: moderately susceptible to Botrytis fruit rot, moderately resistant to powdery mildew and moderately susceptible to viral diseases

Origin & Breeding History: 'Monterey' arose as the result of a cross between the variety, 'Albion' and the advanced selection, 'Cal 97.85-6' conducted in 2001. 'Monterey' first fruited in 2002 at the University of California Wolfskill Experimental Orchard, near Winters, California. It was selected, originally designated Cal 1.132-3 and was asexually propagated by runners. Following selection and throughout testing, the variety was designated 'CN222'.

Tests & Trials: The tests and trials for 'Monterey' were conducted at Krause Berry Farms, Aldergrove, British Columbia during the summer of 2008. The trials consisted of two replications of 40 plants per variety, with a plant spacing of 30 cm and a row spacing of approximately 1.07 metres.

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Strawberry: 'Monterey' (centre) with reference varieties 'Albion' (left), 'Diamante' (centre, left), 'Portola' (centre, right) and 'San Andreas' (right)

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Strawberry: 'Monterey' (top left) with reference varieties 'Portola' (top centre), 'San Andreas' (top right), 'Albion' (bottom left) and 'Diamante' (bottom right)