Strawberry plant named ‘CBC017’

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa) named ‘CBC017’ is presented here. This new day-neutral strawberry cultivar is characterized by moderate vigor plants which produce exceptionally large yields of attractive conical to round fruit. In addition, plants of ‘CBC017’ are resistant to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp fragariae.

Description

[0001] Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

[0002] Variety denomination: The new strawberry variety denomination is ‘CBC017’.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to a new and distinctive day-neutral type cultivar designated as ‘CBC017’. The new cultivar was the result of a controlled cross performed in 2017 in Huelva, Spain between the cultivar ‘Fronteras’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,709) and the cultivar ‘Cabrillo’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27830). ‘CBC017’ was first fruited at an experimental orchard near French Camp, Calif. in 2017, where it was selected, originally designated 117.059-118, and propagated asexually by runners. Following selection and during testing, the plant of this selection was later designated ‘CBC017’. Asexual propagules from this original source have been tested in Watsonville, Calif., in Oxnard, Calif., and to a limited extent in grower fields starting in 2022. The cultivar is stable and reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.COMPARISON WITH PARENTS

[0004] ‘Fronteras’ is a short-day cultivar that was selected for its overall high appearance score, large fruit, and high yield. Plants of the parent ‘Fronteras’ are larger than ‘CBC017’. The parent ‘Cabrillo’ is a day-neutral cultivar that was selected for its high yield and firm fruit. Plants of ‘Cabrillo’ are similar in size to ‘CBC017’.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] ‘CBC017’ is a day-neutral cultivar that produces fruit over an extended period when treated appropriately in arid, sub-tropical climates. When treated with appropriate planting regimes, ‘CBC017’ has larger fruit and produces individual plant yields greater than that of either parent. The following traits have been repeatedly observed over multiple testing years and locations and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘CBC017’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘CBC017’ as a new and distinct Strawberry plant:

[0006] 1. Medium sized plant with open canopy.

[0007] 2. Day-neutral flowering habit.

[0008] 3. Large glossy red fruit.

[0009] 4. Fruit postharvest longevity is good.

[0010] 5. High yields.

[0011] The cultivar ‘CBC017’, when planted under appropriate conditions, follows a typical day-neutral fruiting pattern, with fruit production occurring regardless of day length and temperature. Fruit quality is good with excellent flavor. Total yield is of increased interest to fresh market strawberry sales companies as increased yields result in increased profits. In addition to its early yield performance, ‘CBC017’ is resistant to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp fragariae, the causal agent of Fusarium wilt. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0012] The accompanying color photographs, identified as FIGS. 1 through 5, show the appearance of typical specimens of the new strawberry cultivar designated ‘CBC017’. These Figures depict the colors, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible given differences in color illustrations of this character. Accordingly, color in the photographs may differ slightly from the colors discussed in the botanical description.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows a typical leaf and petiole structure.

[0014] FIG. 2 shows a typical plant and fruit early season.

[0015] FIG. 3 shows typical fruit in a box.

[0016] FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of representative fruit mid-season.

[0017] FIG. 5 shows a typical plot in the field of plants and fruit.DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

[0018] ‘CBC017’ is a new and distinct day-neutral cultivar of strawberry, genus and species Fragaria x ananassa. It is the result of a controlled cross between the cultivar ‘Fronteras’ and the cultivar ‘Cabrillo’. Plants of ‘CBC017’ bloom continuously in higher elevation plantings, and bloom in the heat of low elevation nursery locations such as French Camp, CA, consistent with other day-neutral varieties. The plants of the new cultivar have a moderate vigor and produce multiple crowns during the growing season. ‘CBC017’ exhibits several characteristics which are improvements over one or both of its parent varieties, and other cultivars known to the Inventor. These characteristics are compared with other cultivars in Table 2, 3, and 4.

[0019] The fruit size of ‘CBC017’ is large, with a seasonal average of 36.4 g, larger than its parents. The fruit size of ‘CBC017’ is ideal since it is not too large to be damaged in shipping containers, but not too small to allow for efficient picking and packing. The ‘CBC017’ plant canopy also remains open throughout the season, which makes for greater visibility and ease of picking. Storability of the fruit has not been measured but in informal observations the fruit retains good physical characteristics and appearance for several days after harvest at room temperature and up to at least a week in common refrigerator conditions of roughly 3° C.

[0020] ‘CBC017’ produces conic to slightly round fruit like its parent ‘Cabrillo’, while the fruit of ‘Fronteras’ is a longer conic shape that often suffers for color problems late in the season. The fruit of ‘CBC017’ generally ripens evenly from the tip to the shoulders of the berry, resulting in a uniform light red color over the whole fruit. In contrast, the fruit of ‘Cabrillo’ has darker fruit and can produce fruit with white shoulders early in the season. The fruit of ‘CBC017’ is firmer than its parent ‘Fronteras’.

[0021] The data set for ‘CBC017’ set forth below was collected in May 2023 from plants grown at a test plot in Watsonville, CA. Yield, size, and firmness data is either averaged over the entire 2022-2023 growing season or presented as monthly totals at the same location. As a day-neutral everbearing variety, ‘CBC017’ begins flowering immediately after planting and continues year-round, producing fruit continuously. Time to the first marketable fruit is roughly five months from planting. Description data was collected on five-month-old plants.

[0022] The observed characteristics of ‘CBC017’ are set forth in Table 1, 2, 3, and 4 below. Color terminology, where noted, is in accordance with the Munsell Colorchart. The observed characteristics of ‘CBC017’ are also compared to parent cultivars ‘Fronteras’ and ‘Cabrillo’ and to ‘Monterey’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,767), the closest cultivar known to the Inventor, in Table 2, 3, and 4. Table 5 sets forth the test results of DNA fingerprinting using eight SSR markers.

[0023] TABLE 1Detailed Description of Characteristics of ‘CBC017’SPECIFICATION:Genus / SpeciesFragaria X ananassaMarket NameStrawberryPARENTS:Female‘Fronteras’Male‘Cabrillo’PLANT:TypeDay-neutral, everbearingGrowth HabitSemi-uprightFoliage densityModerate to lightVigorModerateHeightAverage 30 cm; range 28-32 cmWidthAverage 43 cm; range 35-50 cmDisease toleranceTest plots have shown tolerance toFusarium oxysporum f. sp fragariaeLEAF:WidthAverage 11 cm; range 10-12 cmColorAdaxial surface: 2.5 GY 4 / 3Abaxial surface: 5 GY 5 / 6Adaxial PubescenceMedium densityAdaxial GlossinessMediumRugosityNot presentVariegationNot presentTERMINAL LEAFLETLengthAverage 82 mm; range 80-85WidthAverage 81 mm; range 73-86Ratio (length / width)1.0MarginsSerrateLeaflet shapeRoundBase shapeCuneateCross-section shapeConcavePETIOLEPubescenceMedium densityAttitudeUpwardsPetiole color5 GY 6 / 8Petiole lengthAverage 20 cm; range 14-23 cmPetiole diameterAverage 4.2 mm; range 4.0-4.6 mmSTIPULEAnthocyanin LightcolorationLengthAverage 38.5 mm; range 34-42 mmWidthAverage 7 mm, range 6.4-8.1 mmINFLORESCENCE:FloweringEverbearingPositionMostly at or above canopyPetal arrangementSlightly overlappingPetal shapeActinomorphic and RotateCalyx sizeLarger than corollaSepal shapeAcuteNumber of blooms8Length 3.5 cmFlower diameterAverage 35 mm; range 32-37 mmPetal numberAverage 5; range 4-6Petal lengthAverage 10 mm; range 9-11 mmPetal widthAverage 10 mm; range 9-11 mmRatio (length / width)1.0Calyx colorAdaxial surface: 5 GY 8 / 8Abaxial surface: 5 GY 6 / 8Stamens lengthAverage 25 mm; range 21-28 mmPEDICELPubescenceMedium densityLength167 mmWidth 4.1 mmRatio (length / width)41Color2.5 GY 8 / 9FRUIT:BearingDay-neutral, everbearingIndividual fruit Seasonal average: 37.8 gweightShapeMostly conic, some slightly roundSizeWidth: 5 cm avg; range 4 to 6 cm (See FIG. 4)Length: 8 cm avg; range 7.5 to 9 cm (see FIG. 4)AchenesJust below fruit surfaceGlossinessMedium / highExternal color EvenevennessExternal color7.5 R 4 / 11Internal color7.5 R 5 / 13Band at top Narrow widthwithout achenesFruit YieldGrams per plant: 2922 gFirmness0.48 kg / forceAchene color7.5 R 4 / 11Achene densityMediumFruit center hollownessSmallCalyx attachmentLevel with fruitCalyx adherenceAdheres when fully ripeCalyx size to fruitSmaller than fruit

[0024] TABLE 2Marketable yield of ‘CBC017’ compared to the cultivars known to the Inventor in Watsonville, CA during the 2022-2023 season.Marketable yield (g / plant)CultivarAprilMayJuneJulyAugustTotal‘Fronteras’390624 901309 872311‘Cabrillo’20546410394731972378‘Monterey’290522 9573992052373‘CBC017’30562112365032562922

[0025] TABLE 3Size of ‘CBC017’ compared to the cultivars known to the Inventorin Watsonville, CA during the 2022-2023 season.Fruit size (g / fruit)CultivarAprilMayJuneJulyAugustAverage‘Fronteras’43.440.831.023.723.932.6‘Cabrillo’38.243.935.027.124.933.8‘Monterey’37.540.133.725.423.232.0‘CBC017’48.149.938.128.125.037.8

[0026] Firmness (kg / force)CultivarMayJuneJulyAverage‘Fronteras’0.490.390.370.41‘Cabrillo’0.590.490.480.52‘Monterey’0.550.510.460.51‘CBC017’0.540.450.450.48

[0027] TABLE 5DNA finger printing results of eight SSR markers.Allelic Fingerprint AnalysisCultivarM1M2M3M4M5M6M7M8‘CBC017’204,259,188,279,156238,121,213,212,264,232281,242,214,215,224269,289257,130,228271,262139275

Claims

1. A new and distinct strawberry plant named ‘CBC017’ as described and illustrated herein.

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