Stata

Strawberry

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Seascape'

Summary: The plants of 'Stata' have a medium number of stolons whereas those of 'Seascape' have few stolons. The stolons for 'Stata' have a weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration whereas those for 'Seascape' have absent or very weak anthocyanin colouration. The upper side of the leaf of 'Stata' is light green whereas it is dark green on 'Seascape'. The base of the terminal leaflet is rounded for 'Stata' whereas it is acute for 'Seascape'. The inflorescence of 'Stata' is positioned at the same level as the foliage whereas the inflorescence of 'Seascape' is positioned beneath the foliage. The fruit of 'Stata' is cordate, large and firm whereas that of 'Seascape' is rhomboid, medium sized and of medium firmness. The achenes are positioned above the fruit surface for 'Stata' whereas they are level with the fruit surface for 'Seascape'. Excluding the core, the fruit flesh of 'Stata' is orange red whereas that of 'Seascape' is light red. The core of the fruit of 'Stata' is light red whereas that of 'Seascape' is white.

Description:

PLANT: fully remontant bearing type, semi-upright growth habit, sparse to medium density foliage, medium vigour

STOLONS: medium number, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, sparse pubescence

LEAF: medium sized, light green on upper side, absent or weak blistering, absent or weak glossiness, no variegation
TERMINAL LEAFLET: moderately longer than wide, rounded base, crenate margin, concave in cross-section
PETIOLE: medium length, upwards attitude of hairs
STIPULE: absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration

FLOWERING: begins early season
INFLORESCENCE: positioned at same level as foliage, many flowers
PEDICEL: horizontal attitude of hairs
FLOWER: calyx smaller than corolla, touching petal arrangement, stamens present
PETAL: length equal to width, white inner side

CALYX: inserted attachment, outwards attitude of sepals, diameter slightly smaller than fruit, very strong adherence to fruit
FRUIT: begins ripening mid-season, moderately shorter than wide, large, cordate, moderate difference in shape between terminal fruit and other fruit, absent or very narrow band without achenes
FRUIT SURFACE: medium red, strong glossiness, even or very slightly uneven colour, even or very slightly uneven surface, achenes positioned above surface
FRUIT FLESH: firm, orange red, light red core, medium sized cavity

Origin & Breeding History: 'Stata' originated from a cross made on March 22, 2014 at Sweet Darling Sales, Inc. in Watsonville, California, USA. The cross was conducted between the proprietary, unreleased variety '108999' (female parent) and the variety 'Preakness' (male parent). 'Stata' was selected on May 8, 2015 based on the quality and quantity of inflorescence and fruit. Since its selection, asexually reproduced stolons have been tested in California at low and high elevations.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Stata' was conducted during the summer of 2019 in Lavaltrie, Quebec. A minimum of 20 bareroot plants per variety were planted in double row raised beds in late April 2019. The raised beds were approximately 25 cm high by 32 cm wide, spaced 1.5 metres apart, and covered with white plastic. The plants were spaced 30 cm apart in a staggered pattern. There were 2 replicates. Measured characteristics were taken from 15 plants, or parts of plants.

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Strawberry: 'Stata'

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Strawberry: Reference variety 'Seascape'