Yotsuboshi

Strawberry

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'San Andreas' and 'Calinda'

Summary: The inflorescence of 'Yotsuboshi' is positioned at the same level as the foliage whereas the inflorescence of 'San Andreas' is positioned above the foliage. The plant of 'Yotsuboshi' has many stolons whereas the plant of 'Calinda' has few stolons. The shape of the base of the terminal leaflet of 'Yotsuboshi' is acute whereas that of 'San Andreas' is obtuse. The flower petal arrangement of 'Yotsuboshi' is free whereas that of 'Calinda' is touching. The diameter of the calyx is slightly smaller than the diameter of the fruit for 'Yotsuboshi' whereas the diameter of the calyx is the same size as the fruit for 'Calinda'. The flesh of the fruit of 'Yotsuboshi' is medium red whereas that of 'Calinda' is dark red. The fruit cavity is absent or small in 'Yotsuboshi' whereas it is medium sized in 'San Andreas'.

Description:

PLANT: day-neutral bearing type, spreading growth habit, medium density foliage, medium vigour
STOLONS: many, medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration, dense pubescence

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

FLOWERING: begins late to very late in season
INFLORESCENCE: positioned at same level as foliage, medium to many flowers
PEDICEL: upwards attitude of hairs
FLOWER: medium to large diameter, smaller calyx in relation to corolla, free petal arrangement, stamens present
PETAL: moderately shorter than wide, white inner side

CALYX: attachment level with fruit, upwards attitude of sepals, diameter slightly smaller than fruit, medium adherence to fruit
FRUIT: begins ripening late to very late in season, moderately longer than wide, small to medium size, conical shape, none or very slight to slight difference in shape between terminal fruit and other fruit, absent or very narrow to narrow width of band without achenes
FRUIT SURFACE: medium red, medium glossiness, slightly uneven colour, slightly uneven surface, achenes positioned level with fruit surface
FRUIT FLESH: medium to firm, medium red, light red core, absent or small cavity

Origin & Breeding History: 'Yotsuboshi' was developed as a collaborative breeding effort between Mie Prefecture, Kagawa Prefecture, Chiba Prefecture and the National Agricultural and Food Research Organization in Japan. Each research institute selected several strawberry breeding lines from their internal programs to use in the collaboration. A total of 1317 crosses were made from December 2009 to March 2010. 'Yotsuboshi' is an F1 seedling from one of these crosses. It originated from the cross between the female line, Miebohon 1Gou, and the male line, A8S4-147. Research trials were conducted at each institute from 2011 to 2012 and selected lines advanced. The new variety was selected in 2012 and 2013 based on fruit quality, yield, and seed production.

Tests & Trials: The detailed description of 'Yotsuboshi' is based on the UPOV report of Technical Examination, application number 20180821, purchased from the Community Plant Variety Office in Angers, France. The trials were conducted by the Oficina Española de Variedades Vegetales at Finca Experimental El Cebellar, Moguer (Huelva), Spain from October 2019 to October 2021.

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Strawberry: 'Yotsuboshi'

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Strawberry: 'Yotsuboshi'