DrisStrawNine

Strawberry

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'San Juan' and 'Puget Reliance'

Summary: The growth habit of the plants of 'DrisStrawNine' is semi-upright whereas it is upright for both reference varieties. The plants of 'DrisStrawNine' have sparse to medium density of foliage whereas those of 'San Juan' have dense foliage and 'Puget Reliance' have dense to very dense foliage. The plant vigour of 'DrisStrawNine' is medium whereas it is strong for 'San Juan' and strong to very strong for 'Puget Reliance'. The inflorescence of 'DrisStrawNine' is positioned beneath the foliage whereas it is above the foliage for 'San Juan'. The stolons on 'DrisStrawNine' are few whereas they are many on 'San Juan'. The blistering of the leaves of 'DrisStrawNine' is strong whereas it is medium on 'San Juan' and absent or weak on 'Puget Reliance'. The petiole of 'DrisStrawNine' is short whereas it is medium to long on 'San Juan' and long to very long on 'Puget Reliance'. The calyx of 'DrisStrawNine' is larger in diameter than the corolla whereas it is smaller than the corolla on both reference varieties. The fruit of 'DrisStrawNine' is small to medium size whereas it is large in 'San Juan' and large to very large in 'Puget Reliance'. The band without achenes on the fruit of 'DrisStrawNine' is absent or very narrow whereas it is narrow on 'San Juan' and narrow to medium width on 'Puget Reliance'. The plants of 'DrisStrawNine' begin flowering and fruiting late in the season whereas 'Puget Reliance' begin early.

Description:

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

LEAF: small to medium size, medium green on upper side, strong blistering, medium glossiness, no variegation
TERMINAL LEAFLET: moderately longer than width, obtuse base, serrate and crenate margin, concave shape in cross-section
PETIOLE: short, slightly outwards attitude of hairs
STIPULE: strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration

TIME OF BEGINNING OF FLOWERING: late
INFLORESCENCE: positioned beneath foliage, medium number of flowers, upwards attitude of hairs on pedicel
FLOWER: calyx diameter larger than corolla, stamens present
PETALS: overlapping, length equal to width, white

TIME OF BEGINNING OF FRUIT RIPENING: late
FRUIT: length equal to width, small to medium size, cordate, absent or very narrow band without achenes
FRUIT SKIN: medium red, even or very slightly uneven colour, 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: 'DrisStrawNine' arose from the cross of the unnamed proprietary variety, '94J283' (female parent) by another unnamed proprietary variety, '112H25' (male parent) conducted in June 2003 in Monterey County, California, USA. In the summer of 2004, 'DrisStrawNine' was initially selected from the seedling population based on yield, compact and open plant structure, fruit quality and everbearing habit. It was asexually propagated at Driscoll Nursery in Monterey County, California and subsequently further propagated and tested from 2004 to 2008.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'DrisStrawNine' 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.

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Strawberry: 'DrisStrawNine' (top) with reference varieties 'Puget Reliance' (centre) and 'San Juan' (bottom)

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Strawberry: 'DrisStrawNine' (top) with reference varieties 'Puget Reliance' (centre) and 'San Juan' (bottom)