Mojave

Strawberry

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Nisgaa', 'Clancy' and 'Puget Reliance'

Summary: The density of foliage of the plants of 'Mojave' is weak to medium whereas it is dense in 'Nisgaa' and medium to dense in 'Clancy' and 'Puget Reliance'. 'Mojave' has few to medium number of stolons whereas the reference varieties have medium to many stolons. The leaves of 'Mojave' are large whereas they medium sized on 'Nisgaa' and small to medium sized on 'Puget Reliance'. The leaf glossiness of 'Mojave' is absent or very weak whereas it is medium on 'Nisgaa' and 'Puget Reliance' and strong on 'Clancy'. The shape of the base of the terminal leaflet of 'Mojave' is acute whereas it is obtuse in the reference varieties. The attitude of the hairs on the pedicel of 'Mojave' is upwards whereas it is slightly outwards on 'Nisgaa' and 'Puget Reliance' and horizontal on 'Clancy'. The length of the fruit in relation to the width is equal on 'Mojave' whereas it is much longer in length than width on 'Nisgaa' and moderately longer than the width on 'Clancy' and 'Puget Reliance'. The difference in shape between the terminal and other fruit of 'Mojave' is moderate whereas it is slight in 'Nisgaa' and very slight in 'Puget Reliance'. The band without achenes on the fruit of 'Mojave' is absent or very narrow whereas it is broad to very broad on 'Nisgaa' and medium on 'Clancy'. The calyx of 'Mojave' is inserted in the fruit whereas it is raised on 'Nisgaa' and level with the fruit on 'Clancy' and 'Puget Reliance'. The calyx in relation to the diameter of the fruit of 'Mojave' is the same size whereas is slightly larger on 'Nisgaa' and slightly smaller on 'Clancy' and 'Puget Reliance'. The fruit of 'Mojave' is very firm whereas that of 'Nisgaa' is very soft and 'Puget Reliance' is soft. 'Mojave' begins ripening very early to early whereas 'Clancy' begins very late.

Description:

PLANT: semi-upright growth habit, sparse to medium density of foliage, medium vigour, not remontant
STOLONS: few to medium number, weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium density of pubescence

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

TIME OF BEGINNING OF FLOWERING: early in the season
INFLORESCENCE: positioned at same level as foliage, medium number of flowers, upwards attitude of hairs on pedicel
FLOWER: calyx diameter larger than corolla, stamens present
PETALS: overlapping, equal in length and width, white

FRUIT: equal in length and width, medium to large in size, conical, moderate difference in shape between terminal and other fruits, absent or very narrow band without achenes
FRUIT SKIN: orange red, even or very slightly uneven colour, medium to strong glossiness, even or very slightly uneven surface
ACHENES: inserted below level of fruit surface
CALYX: inserted, upwards attitude of sepals, same diameter as fruit, strong to very strong adherence to fruit
FRUIT FLESH: very firm, orange red, white core, medium size fruit cavity
TIME OF BEGINNING OF FRUIT RIPENING: very early to early

Origin & Breeding History: 'Mojave' originated from the cross 'Palomar' and the unreleased germplasm accession Cal 1.57-601, conducted in 2004. 'Mojave' was first fruited at an experimental centre near Irvine, California, in 2005, where it was selected and propagated asexually by runners. Following selection and during testing, the variety was designated 'C227' and was subsequently named 'Mojave'.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'Mojave' were conducted in Langley, British Columbia during the 2011 and 2012 growing seasons. The trials consisted of plots measuring 7 metres in length, replicated four times for each variety. Plants were spaced approximately 30 cm apart in the rows and 1.07 metres between rows. All observations and measurements were made on a minimum of 10 plants per variety.

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Strawberry: 'Mojave' (bottom) with reference varieties 'Clancy' (top), 'Nisgaa' (centre top) and 'Puget Reliance' (centre bottom)