DrisStrawForty

Strawberry

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Alafia' and 'Pilgrim'

Summary: The plants of 'DrisStrawForty' have a medium to dense foliage whereas those of 'Pilgrim' have a sparse to medium density of foliage. The pubescence on the stolons of 'DrisStrawForty' is of medium density whereas it is absent or sparse on 'Alafia'. The inflorescence of 'DrisStrawForty' has many flowers whereas 'Alafia' has a medium number and 'Pilgrim' has few. 'DrisStrawForty' has a smaller flower diameter than 'Alafia'. The calyx attachment of the fruit of 'DrisStrawForty' level with the fruit whereas it is inserted on 'Alafia'. The attitude of the sepals of 'DrisStrawForty' is upwards whereas it is outwards on 'Alafia'. 'DrisStrawForty' begins flowering and fruiting mid to late season whereas the reference varieties begin early to mid-season.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit, medium to dense foliage, medium to strong vigour, partially remontant fruit bearing type

STOLONS: absent or very few, very weak to weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium density of pubescence

LEAF: small to medium size, medium green on upper side, weak to medium blistering, medium glossiness, no variegation
TERMINAL LEAFLET: equal in length and width, acute base, serrate and crenate margin, concave shape in cross-section
PETIOLE: long, slightly outwards attitude of hairs
STIPULE: weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration

TIME OF BEGINNING OF FLOWERING: mid to late season
INFLORESCENCE: positioned level with foliage, many flowers, upwards attitude of hairs on pedicel
FLOWER: calyx diameter same size as corolla, stamens present
PETALS: overlapping, equal in length and width, white on upper side

TIME OF BEGINNING OF FRUIT RIPENING: mid to late season
FRUIT: equal in length and width, medium to large, conical and cordate, absent or very narrow band without achenes
FRUIT SKIN: medium red, even or very slightly uneven colour, medium glossiness, strongly uneven surface
ACHENES: inserted below to level with fruit surface
CALYX: attachment level with fruit, upwards attitude of sepals, slightly larger than diameter of fruit, strong to very strong adherence of calyx
FRUIT FLESH: medium to firm, whitish and medium red, white and light red core, medium size cavity

Origin & Breeding History: 'DrisStrawForty' originated from the cross of the unnamed proprietary variety, '227M226' (female parent), by another unnamed proprietary variety, '44N314' (male parent), conducted in 2007 in Hillsborough County, California, USA. In February 2008, 'DrisStrawForty' was initially selected from the seedling population based on plant vigour, fruit colour, fruit glossiness and fruiting season. It was asexually propagated at Driscoll Nursery in Shasta County, California and underwent further propagation and testing from 2008 to 2012 at the nurseries in Ventura County, California, USA.

Tests & Trials: Trials for 'DrisStrawForty' were conducted in Chilliwack, British Columbia during the 2015 growing season. The plots were planted in late spring of 2015 in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Each variety consisted of 4 replicates per variety with 5 plants per replicate (for a total of 20 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. Mean differences were significant at the 5% probability level based on paired Student's t-tests.

Comparison table for 'DrisStrawForty' with reference varieties 'Alafia' and 'Pilgrim'

Flower diameter (cm)

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Strawberry: 'DrisStrawForty' (top) with reference varieties 'Alafia' (centre) and 'Pilgrim' (bottom)