Marvel

Strawberry

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Valor' and 'Seascape'

Summary: The stolons of 'Marvel' have medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration and dense pubescence whereas those of 'Seascape' have absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration and sparse pubescence. The leaves of 'Marvel' have absent or weak blistering while those of 'Valor' have medium blistering. Glossiness of the upper side of the leaves is absent or weak for 'Marvel' while it is medium for 'Valor' and medium to strong for 'Seascape'. The base of the terminal leaflet is acute for 'Marvel' whereas it is obtuse for both reference varieties. The inflorescence for 'Marvel' is positioned at the same level as the foliage whereas for 'Seascape', it is positioned above the foliage. The flowers of 'Marvel' have a calyx which ranges in size from the same size to larger in relation to the corolla whereas those of 'Seascape' have a calyx which is smaller in relation to the corolla. The width of the band without achenes on the fruit of 'Marvel' is absent or very narrow while it is medium to broad on the fruit of 'Seascape'. The achenes are positioned above the fruit surface for 'Marvel' while they are level with the fruit surface for 'Valor'. The time of beginning of flowering and of fruit ripening is mid-season for 'Marvel' whereas it is early for 'Seascape'.

Description:

PLANT: day-neutral type of fruit bearing, upright growth habit, medium density of foliage, medium vigour
STOLON: medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, dense pubescence

LEAF: medium size, upper side is medium green, absent or weak blistering, absent or weak glossiness on upper side, no variegation
TERMINAL LEAFLET: ranging from equal-to to moderately longer in relation to width, acute base, serrate to crenate margin, ranging from concave to convex in cross-section
PETIOLE: medium length, attitude of hairs is slightly outward
STIPULE: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration

TIME OF BEGINNING OF FLOWERING: mid-season
INFLORESCENCE: positioned at same level in relation to foliage, few to medium number of flowers
PEDICEL: attitude of hairs is upward
FLOWER: arrangement of petals is overlapping, calyx size ranges from same size to larger in relation to corolla, stamens are present
PETAL: much shorter in relation to width, upper side is white

FRUIT: moderately longer in relation to width, medium size, conical, difference in shape between terminal fruit and others of same fruiting truss is moderate, absent or very narrow band without achenes
FRUIT SKIN: medium red, colour is even or very slightly uneven, medium glossiness, surface is slightly uneven
ACHENES: positioned above surface
CALYX: attachment is positioned level with fruit, attitude of sepals is outward, slightly larger diameter in relation to diameter of fruit, strong adherence to fruit
FRUIT FLESH: firm, medium red flesh, light red core, absent or small cavity
TIME OF BEGINNING OF FRUIT RIPENING: mid-season

Origin & Breeding History: 'Marvel' is the result of a controlled cross conducted in Santa Cruz County, California, USA, as part of an ongoing breeding program. The cross was made in 2001 between the variety 'PS-1269' and the variety 'PS-2880'. 'Marvel' was selected from a controlled breeding plot in Ventura County, California in the fall of 2003. After its selection, it was propagated asexually by stolons in a nursery located in San Joaquin County, California and extensively tested over several years in Ventura County, California.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Marvel' were conducted in field plots located in Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, Québec, during the summer of 2012. Each plot was 1.20 metres wide and 15 cm high and covered an area of 22 square metres. The plots contained 100 plants which were spaced 0.35 metres in rows which were 120 metres long. There were 4 replications per variety which resulted in 1,350 plants per variety. For each variety, 4 plots of 100 plants were randomly selected for collecting data.

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Strawberry: 'Marvel' (centre) with reference varieties 'Seascape' (left) and 'Valor' (right)

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Strawberry: 'Marvel' (left) with reference varieties 'Valor' (centre) and 'Seascape' (right)

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Strawberry: 'Marvel' (left) with reference varieties 'Valor' (centre) and 'Seascape' (right)