DrisStrawEight

Strawberry

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'El Dorado' and 'Puget Reliance'

Summary: The inflorescence of 'DrisStrawEight' is positioned at the same level as the foliage whereas it is beneath the foliage on 'Puget Reliance'. The stolons on 'DrisStrawEight' are absent or very few whereas they are few to medium in number on both reference varieties. The blistering of the leaves of 'DrisStrawEight' is medium whereas it is strong on 'El Dorado' and absent or weak on 'Puget Reliance'. The glossiness of the leaves of 'DrisStrawEight' is absent or weak whereas it is strong on 'El Dorado'. 'DrisStrawEight' has a larger flower diameter than 'Puget Reliance'. The fruit of 'DrisStrawEight' is small to medium size whereas it is large in 'El Dorado' and large to very large in 'Puget Reliance'. The calyx of 'DrisStrawEight' is level with the fruit whereas it is raised on 'Puget Reliance'. The sepals on the fruit of 'DrisStrawEight' are posed outwards whereas they are posed upwards on both reference varieties. The fruit of 'DrisStrawEight' has a white core with an absent or small cavity whereas the core is light red with a medium size cavity in both reference varieties.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit, medium to dense foliage, strong vigour, day neutral type
STOLONS: absent or very few, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, absent or sparse density of pubescence

LEAF: medium size, medium green on upper side, medium blistering, absent or weak glossiness, no variegation
TERMINAL LEAFLET: much longer length than width, acute base, serrate margin, concave shape in cross-section
PETIOLE: long, horizontal attitude of hairs
STIPULE: medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration

TIME OF BEGINNING OF FLOWERING: mid-season
INFLORESCENCE: positioned at same level as foliage, medium number of flowers, upwards attitude of hairs on pedicel
FLOWER: calyx diameter smaller than corolla, stamens present
PETALS: overlapping, white

TIME OF BEGINNING OF FRUIT RIPENING: mid-season
FRUIT: equal in length and width, small to medium size, conical, very narrow band without achenes
FRUIT SKIN: medium red, even or very slightly uneven colour, weak to medium glossiness, even or very slightly uneven surface
ACHENES: inserted below level of fruit surface
CALYX: attachment level with fruit, outwards attitude of sepals, slightly larger than diameter of fruit
FRUIT FLESH: medium firmness, medium red, white core, absent or small fruit cavity

Origin & Breeding History: 'DrisStrawEight' arose from the cross 'Ojai' (female parent) by 'Agoura' (male parent) conducted in June 2004 in Camarillo County, California, USA. In January 2005, 'DrisStrawEight' was initially selected from the seedling population based on earliness of production season and total yield. It was asexually propagated at Driscoll Nursery in Shasta County, California and underwent further propagation and testing for three years at the nursery in Ventura County.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'DrisStrawEight' were conducted in Chilliwack, British Columbia during the 2014 growing season. The plots were planted in the spring of 2013 in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Each variety consisted of 3 replicates/variety with 5 plants per replicate (for a total of 15 plants of each variety). Plants were spaced approximately 30 centimetres between plants in the row and spaced approximately 2.5 metres apart between rows. Measured characteristics were based on 10 measurements.

Comparison table for 'DrisStrawEight' with reference varieties 'El Dorado' and 'Puget Reliance'

Flower diameter (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Strawberry: 'DrisStrawEight' (top) with reference varieties 'El Dorado' (centre) and 'Puget Reliance' (bottom)

Click on image for larger view

Strawberry: 'DrisStrawEight' (top) with reference varieties 'El Dorado' (centre) and 'Puget Reliance' (bottom)