Abstract:
This invention relates to a new and distinctive day-neutral type strawberry designated as ‘Portola’.‘Portola’ is a day-neutral (everbearing) cultivar similar to ‘Diamante’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,079) but with higher yield and better quality fruit, better disease resistance and better flavor; it is similar to ‘Albion’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,228) for fruit quality but with higher yield, and larger and lighter colored fruit.

Description:
Genus and species: The strawberry cultivar of this invention is botanically identified as  Fragaria×ananassa  Duch. 
   Variety denomination: The variety denomination is ‘Portola’. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a new and distinctive day-neutral type cultivar designated as ‘Portola’, which resulted from a cross performed in 2001 between advance selections Cal 97.93-7 and Cal 97.209-1. ‘Portola’ was first fruited near Winters, Calif. in 2002, where it was selected, originally designated Cal 1.206-5, and propagated asexually by runners. Following selection and during testing the plant of this selection was designated ‘CN224’ and, later for introduction into commerce, ‘Portola’. Asexual propagules from this original source have been tested at a Watsonville strawberry research facility, an Irvine, Calif. research station, and to a limited extent in grower fields starting in 2005. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   ‘Portola’ is a day-neutral (everbearing) cultivar similar to ‘Diamante’ (U.S. Plant. Pat. No. 10,435) but with higher yield and better quality fruit, better disease resistance and better flavor; it is similar to ‘Albion’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,228) for fruit quality but with higher yield, and larger and lighter colored fruit. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The figures depict various characteristics of the ‘Portola’ cultivar. 
       FIG. 1  shows the general flowering and fruiting characteristics of the plant in a field planting. 
       FIG. 2  shows a typical leaf at mid-season. 
       FIG. 3  shows a representative mid-season fruit. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   ‘Portola’ is typical of day-neutral strawberry cultivars and produces fruit regardless of day length when treated appropriately in arid, subtropical climates. ‘Portola’ is moderate to strong in expressing the day-neutral character, being stronger in flowering response to ‘Diamante’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,435) and Albion (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,228), and more similar in flowering to ‘Fern’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,267) or ‘Irvine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,172). The production pattern for ‘Portola’ is similar to that for ‘Albion’, although it is earlier to initiate production. ‘Portola’ fruit is of more uniform size than parent Cal 97.209.1. ‘Portola’ has firmer fruit and more evenly shaped fruit compared to Cal 97.93-7. ‘Portola’ will be of special interest for winter plantings and in summer plantings where ‘Diamante’ and ‘Albion’ have been successful. It is expected to perform especially well in spring and summer planting systems aimed at fall fruit production.
     Plants and foliage: Fruiting plants of ‘Portola’ are similar in morphology to ‘Diamante’ and ‘Albion’ although somewhat larger throughout the season; ‘Portola’ plants are similar in size to plants of ‘Aromas’ but more dense. Comparative statistics for foliar characters near mid-season are given for ‘Portola’ and the three comparison cultivars in Table 1. Individual leaflets for ‘Portola’ are similar in shape and size to the comparison cultivars. Leaves (including petioles) for ‘Portola’ are longer than those for ‘Diamante’ and ‘Albion’, mostly due to greater petiole length. Petioles are generally thinner than those of the comparison cultivars and tend to have heavy pubescence. The adaxial (upper) and abaxial (lower) surfaces of leaves for ‘Portola’ are similar in color to the comparison cultivars at mid season, but slightly lighter early in the season. Leaves of ‘Portola’ have similar concavity to ‘Aromas’, ‘Diamante’, and ‘Albion’.   Disease and pest reaction: ‘Portola’ is moderately resistant to powdery mildew ( Sphaerotheca macularis ), Anthracnose crown rot ( Colletotrichum acutatum ), and  Verticillium  wilt ( Verticillium dahliae ); it is very resistant to  Phytophthora  crown rot ( Phytophthora cactorum ) and common leaf spot ( Ramularia tulasnei ) (Table 3). When treated properly, it has tolerance to two-spotted spider mites ( Tetranychus urticae ) equal to that for the comparison cultivars. ‘Portola’ is tolerant to strawberry viruses encountered in California.   

   
     
       
             
           
             
             
           
             
             
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 1 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               Foliar and plant characteristics for ‘Portola’, ‘Aromas’, ‘Diamante’, 
             
             
               and ‘Albion’. 
             
           
        
         
             
                 
               Cultivar 
             
           
        
         
             
               Foliar Character 
               ‘Aromas’ 
               ‘Diamante’ 
               ‘Albion’ 
               ‘Portola’ 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               Plant height (mm) 
                 
                 
                 
                 
             
             
               mean 
               272 
               220 
               223 
               267 
             
             
               range 
               240-300 
               190-240 
               170-290 
               240-300 
             
             
               Plant 
             
             
               spread (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               323 
               316 
               295 
               313 
             
             
               range 
               300-360 
               265-385 
               270-315 
               295-335 
             
             
               Midtier leaflet 
             
             
               Length (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               79 
               78 
               70 
               71 
             
             
               range 
               70-90 
               60-90 
               60-80 
               65-80 
             
             
               Width (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               74 
               77 
               68 
               69 
             
             
               range 
               70-80 
               55-90 
               60-80 
               60-90 
             
             
               Midtier leaf 
             
             
               Length (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               113 
               99 
               99 
               107 
             
             
               range 
               100-120 
                80-120 
                90-110 
               100-120 
             
             
               Width (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               135 
               134 
               122 
               136 
             
             
               range 
               120-150 
                90-150 
               105-135 
               120-150 
             
             
               Leaf components 
             
             
               Petiole 
             
             
               length (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               174 
               114 
               122 
               159 
             
             
               range 
               140-210 
               100-130 
                95-180 
               110-215 
             
             
               Petiole 
             
             
               diameter (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               4.5 
               5.2 
               4.9 
               3.9 
             
             
               range 
               4-6 
               4-7 
               4-6 
               3-5 
             
             
               Petiolule 
             
             
               length (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               6.6 
               5.2 
               6.7 
               7.0 
             
             
               range 
               4.3-7.5 
               4.0-7.6 
               5.0-8.0 
               5-8 
             
             
               # leaflets/leaf 
               3 
               3 
               3 
               3 
             
             
               Leaf convexity 
               some flat, 
               some flat, 
               some flat, 
               some flat, 
             
             
                 
               most 
               most slight 
               most 
               most 
             
             
                 
               slight 
               concave 
               slight 
               slight 
             
             
                 
               concave 
                 
               concave 
               concave 
             
             
               Serrations 
             
             
               number/leaf 
               19.9 
               20.2 
               23.3 
               24.4 
             
             
               range 
               16-24 
               16-24 
               21-27 
               21-28 
             
             
               shape 
               rounded to 
               rounded to 
               semi- 
               most 
             
             
                 
               semi- 
               semi-pointed 
               pointed 
               rounded, 
             
             
                 
               pointed 
                 
                 
               some 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               semi- 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               pointed 
             
             
               Leaf pubescence 
               moderate 
               moderate- 
               moderate 
               heavy 
             
             
                 
                 
               heavy 
             
             
               Petiole pubes- 
               Moderate- 
               heavy 
               heavy 
               heavy 
             
             
               cence density 
               heavy 
             
             
               direction 
               per- 
               per- 
               per- 
               per- 
             
             
                 
               pendicular 
               pendicular 
               pendicular 
               pendicular 
             
             
               Petiole color 
               5 GY 8/8 
               7.5 GY 9/4 
               5 GY 8/8 
               5 GY 8/8 
             
             
               (Munsell) 
             
             
               Stipule 
             
             
               length (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               34.2 
               31.6 
               32.5 
               33.4 
             
             
               range 
               30-39 
               22-36 
               24-37 
               29-40 
             
             
               Stipule color 
             
             
               core 
               7.5 GY 
               7.5 GY 8/7 
               5 GY 8/7 
               2.5 GY 
             
             
                 
               8/7 
                 
                 
               8/9 
             
             
               margins 
               2.5 GY 9/3 
               5 GY 6/8 
               5 GY 6/8 
               5 GY 7/10 
             
             
               Stolon base 
               3.0 
               3.2 
               3.0 
               3.2 
             
             
               diameter (mm) 
             
             
               Stolons per 
               33.0 
               29.0 
               26.9 
               32.0 
             
             
               nursery mother 
             
             
               plant 
             
             
               Venation 
             
             
               pattern 
               pinnate 
               pinnate 
               pinnate 
               pinnate 
             
             
               color 
               2.5 GY 5/5 
               10 GY 5/5 
               2.5 GY 6/8 
               10 Y 6/7 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
       
       Flowering, fruiting, fruit, and production characteristics: ‘Portola’ is similar to other California day-neutral cultivars (e.g., ‘Diamante’ and ‘Albion’) in that it will flower independently of day length, given appropriate temperature and horticultural conditions. Comparative statistics for flower and fruit characters near mid-season are given for ‘Portola’ and three other cultivars in Table 4. The primary flowers for ‘Portola’ are slightly larger than those of the ‘Aromas’ and ‘Diamante’ but smaller than those of ‘Albion’. The calyx for ‘Portola’ is distinctly larger than the corolla on primary fruit; the sepals are similar in length and shape to those of the comparison cultivars. The calyx for ‘Portola’ varies in position but is usually less reflexed than for ‘Aromas’ or ‘Diamante’, much less than that of ‘Albion’. The fruit shape for ‘Portola’ can vary but is typically a medium to short and highly symmetrical conic. It is easily distinguished by fruit shape from ‘Aromas’ (shortened and rounded conic), ‘Diamante’ (usually a flat conic) or ‘Albion’ (long conic); ‘Portola’ usually has a greater proportion of symmetrical fruit than the comparison cultivars, especially early in the fruiting season. External fruit color for ‘Portola’ is slightly lighter than ‘Aromas’ or ‘Albion’, distinctly darker than for ‘Diamante’; internal color is somewhat darker with greater red pigment than for the comparison cultivars (Table 2). Achenes vary from yellow to dark red, but are usually red, and range from even with the fruit surface to slightly indented. 
     
  
   ‘Portola’ has been tested under a variety of cultural regimes, and optimal performance is obtained when nursery treatments and nutritional programs similar to those for ‘Albion’, ‘Diamante’, and ‘Aromas’ are used. In general, ‘Portola’ is more vigorous than the comparison cultivars and is less sensitive to low chilling. ‘Portola’ is distinctly stronger in day-neutrality than the comparison cultivars and produces greater quantities of fruit when established with spring or summer plantings of long-term cold stored plant material. ‘Portola’ retains excellent fruit quality in summer planting systems. 
   When treated with appropriate planting regimes, ‘Portola’ has larger fruit and produces greater individual-plant yield than any of the comparison cultivars (Table 5). ‘Portola’ has a similar production pattern to ‘Albion’ with most cultural treatments, although it is substantially more adapted to early-season winter planting. Commercial appearance ratings have been similar to or higher than those for all of the comparison cultivars, especially ‘Aromas’; these superior appearance scores translate directly into a larger fraction of marketable fruit than is produced by the comparison cultivars. Fruit for ‘Portola’ is substantially firmer than fruit from ‘Aromas’, similar in firmness to the other comparison cultivars. Subjectively, ‘Portola’ has outstanding flavor. The fruit will be exceptional for both fresh market and processing, and will be useful for home garden purposes. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
           
             
             
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 2 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               Foliar and fruit color characteristics for ‘Portola’ 
             
             
               and three comparison cultivars. 
             
           
        
         
             
                 
               Cultivar 
             
           
        
         
             
               Color 
                 
                 
                 
                 
             
             
               Character 
               ‘Aromas’ 
               ‘Diamante’ 
               ‘Albion’ 
               ‘Portola’ 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               Leaf color 
                 
                 
                 
                 
             
             
               (CIELAB) 
             
             
               Adaxial 
             
             
               L* 
             
             
               mean 
               35.1 
               34.8 
               34.7 
               34.3 
             
             
               range 
               32.7-37.7 
               32.6-36.8 
               32.8-36.7 
               31.6-35.5 
             
             
               a* 
             
             
               mean 
               −10.6 
               −10.4 
               −9.8 
               −9.8 
             
             
               range 
                −8.2-−14.0 
                −8.7-−11.9 
                −9.4-−11.3 
                −8.0-−11.5 
             
             
               b* 
             
             
               mean 
               13.8 
               13.8 
               12.8 
               13.1 
             
             
               range 
               11.2-18.1 
               12.2-16.6 
               10.7-15.6 
               11.0-15.7 
             
             
               Munsell 
               7.5 GY 4/4 
               5 GY 4/3 
               5 GY 4/3 
               5 GY 4/3 
             
             
               Abaxial 
             
             
               L* 
             
             
               mean 
               52.4 
               51.1 
               50.6 
               52.4 
             
             
               range 
               50.6-54.1 
               49.7-52.2 
               43.7-53.1 
               51.5-54.1 
             
             
               a* 
             
             
               mean 
               −11.6 
               −12.8 
               −12.4 
               −11.6 
             
             
               range 
               −10.7-−13.6 
               −11.6-−14.9 
                −8.6-−11.4 
               −10.3-−13.6 
             
             
               b* 
             
             
               mean 
               17.3 
               19.5 
               17.2 
               17.3 
             
             
               range 
               14.3-23.2 
               15.3-23.5 
               14.5-19.6 
               15.9-23.2 
             
             
               Munsell 
               10 GY 7/8 
               7.5 GY 6/8 
               7.5 GY 8/7 
               10 GY 7/8 
             
             
               Fruit color 
             
             
               (CIELAB) 
             
             
               External 
             
             
               L* 
             
             
               mean 
               34.2 
               40.8 
               36.5 
               34.3 
             
             
               range 
               31.2-38.3 
               35.5-45.4 
               32.8-40.1 
               31.4-37.2 
             
             
               a* 
             
             
               mean 
               33.9 
               36.7 
               33.3 
               35.7 
             
             
               range 
               31.5-38.6 
               35.6-40.2 
               28.3-36.2 
               31.0-39.9 
             
             
               b* 
             
             
               mean 
               14.1 
               21.2 
               17.6 
               15.9 
             
             
               range 
                9.1-16.5 
               18.8-25.7 
               12.2-24.9 
               13.4-20.6 
             
             
               Munsell 
               2.5 R 4/10 
               5 R 5/13 
               5 R 3/7 
               5 R 4/12 
             
             
               Internal 
             
             
               L* 
             
             
               mean 
               61.6 
               65.6 
               57.9 
               50.9 
             
             
               range 
               59.5-67.7 
               58.8-67.2 
               43.3-62.9 
               45.2-56.7 
             
             
               a* 
             
             
               mean 
               14.7 
               5.6 
               19.0 
               30.4 
             
             
               range 
                7.6-19.2 
               3.0-9.5 
                7.9-27.7 
               24.2-36.6 
             
             
               b* 
             
             
               mean 
               20.2 
               15.8 
               21.0 
               28.0 
             
             
               range 
               16.1-22.5 
               14.5-18.2 
               13.2-27.2 
               23.7-31.4 
             
             
               Munsell 
               5 R 6/11 
               10 R 7/9 
               7.5 R 4/11 
               7.5 R 5/13 
             
             
               Achene color 
               7.5 R 4/11 
               7.5 R 4/11 
               10 R 5/6 
               10 R 4/9 
             
             
               Munsell 
             
             
                 
             
             
               *CIELAB is the abbreviation of the international color system known as “Commission Internationale De L&#39;Eclairage” 1978. For recommendations concerning uniform color spaces, color difference equations, and psychometric color terms see Supplement No. 2 of CIE Publication No. 15, Paris. 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 3 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               Disease resistance scores for ‘Portola’ and three comparison cultivars; 
             
             
                 Phytophthora  and  Verticillium  scores were obtained in evaluations con- 
             
             
               ducted in 2004-2006,  Colletotrichum  was evaluated in 2005-2006. 
             
           
        
         
             
                 
               
                 Phytophthora 
               
               
                 Verticillium 
               
               
                 Colletotrichum 
               
             
             
                 
               Resistance Score 
               Resistance Score 
               Resistance Score 
             
             
               Genotype 
               (5 = best) 
               (5 = best) 
               (5 = best) 
             
             
                 
             
             
               ‘Aromas’ 
               4.0 
               4.5 
               2.4 
             
             
               ‘Diamante’ 
               2.0 
               2.8 
               2.6 
             
             
               ‘Albion’ 
               4.3 
               3.8 
               3.1 
             
             
               ‘Portola’ 
               4.4 
               3.3 
               2.6 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
           
             
             
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 4 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               Flower and fruit characters for ‘Portola’ and three comparison cultivars. 
             
           
        
         
             
                 
               Cultivar 
             
           
        
         
             
               Character 
               ‘Aromas’ 
               ‘Diamante’ 
               ‘Albion’ 
               ‘Portola’ 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               Petal number 
                 
                 
                 
                 
             
             
               mean 
               5.5 
               5.4 
               5.6 
               6.8 
             
             
               range 
               5-7 
               5-6 
               5-7 
               5-8 
             
             
               Petal shape 
             
             
               apex 
               truncate to 
               truncate to 
               truncate to 
               truncate to 
             
             
                 
               slightly 
               slightly 
               slightly 
               slightly 
             
             
                 
               obtuse 
               obtuse 
               obtuse 
               obtuse 
             
             
               base 
               attenuate 
               attenuate 
               attenuate 
               attenuate 
             
             
               margin 
               entire 
               entire 
               entire 
               entire 
             
             
               Petal length (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               10.1 
               9.2 
               9.6 
               11.1 
             
             
               range 
                8-11 
                7-13 
                8-11 
                8-13 
             
             
               Petal width (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               11.8 
               10.6 
               9.0 
               12.4 
             
             
               range 
               10-13 
               10-13 
                7-10 
                9-14 
             
             
               Flower position 
               most even 
               most even 
               most 
               most 
             
             
               (relative to foliage) 
               some 
               some 
               exposed, 
               exposed, 
             
             
                 
               exposed 
               internal 
               some even 
               some even 
             
             
                 
                 
               and exposed 
             
             
               Calyx diam. (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               31.3 
               32.0 
               37.5 
               36.0 
             
             
               range 
               28-33 
               25-41 
               31-48 
               31-42 
             
             
               Corolla diam. (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               31.2 
               23.9 
               27.8 
               32.2 
             
             
               range 
               26-35 
               18-31 
               23-33 
               24-39 
             
             
               Sepal length (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               12.3 
               12.1 
               14.1 
               12.5 
             
             
               range 
                8-15 
               10-15 
               11-18 
                9-15 
             
             
               Sepal width (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               6.4 
               6.7 
               6.6 
               7.3 
             
             
               range 
               3-9 
               5-9 
                4-10 
               5-9 
             
             
               Sepal color (Munsell) 
               7.5 GY 
               5 GY 5/6 
               2.5 GY 
               5 GY 5/6 
             
             
                 
               6/8 
                 
               6/8 
             
             
               Pedicel length (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               172 
               140 
               218 
               225 
             
             
               range 
               112-230 
               110-165 
               180-270 
               200-240 
             
             
               Pedicel diameter (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               4.4 
               5.3 
               3.1 
               4.3 
             
             
               range 
               4-6 
               4-6 
               2-4 
               3-6 
             
             
               Pedicel color 
               5 GY 6/8 
               5 GY 7/10 
               5 GY 6/8 
               5 GY 6/8 
             
             
               Fruit shape 
             
             
               Fruit length (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               46.6 
               46.4 
               61.7 
               50.4 
             
             
               range 
               42-52 
               39-50 
               50-76 
               43-57 
             
             
               Fruit width (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               39.4 
               40.7 
               46.6 
               47.7 
             
             
               range 
               37-43 
               38-46 
               37-52 
               43-54 
             
             
               Length/width 
             
             
               ratio 
               1.2 
               1.1 
               1.3 
               1.1 
             
             
               range 
               1.0-1.4 
               1.0-1.2 
               1.2-1.5 
               1.0-1.2 
             
             
               subjective 
               mostly 
               rounded 
               most long 
               Medium- 
             
             
                 
               medium to 
               to flat 
               sym- 
               short 
             
             
                 
               short flat 
               conic 
               metrical 
               sym- 
             
             
                 
               conic 
                 
               conic 
               metrical 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               conic 
             
             
               Primary/secondary 
             
             
               fruit comparison 
             
             
               size (subjective) 
               60-80% 
               60-80% 
               60-70% 
               75-85% 
             
             
               shape 
               similar 
               similar 
               similar 
               similar 
             
             
                 
               shape 
               shape 
               shape 
               shape 
             
             
               Extent/size of 
               small- 
               small-absent 
               small- 
               small- 
             
             
               hollow core 
               absent 
                 
               medium 
               medium 
             
             
               Calyx 
             
             
               position 
               indented- 
               even- 
               even- 
               even- 
             
             
                 
               even with 
               indented 
               reflexed 
               indented 
             
             
                 
               neck 
             
             
               size relative to fruit 
               equal or 
               equal or 
               equal or 
               equal or 
             
             
                 
               greater 
               greater 
               greater 
               greater 
             
             
                 
               than fruit 
               than fruit 
               than fruit 
               than fruit 
             
             
                 
               diameter 
               diameter 
               diameter 
               diameter 
             
             
               Seed position 
               indented- 
               indented- 
               indented- 
               indented- 
             
             
                 
               extruded 
               even 
               extruded 
               even 
             
             
               Adherence of 
               inter- 
               inter- 
               inter- 
               inter- 
             
             
               Calyx to Fruit 
               mediate 
               mediate 
               mediate 
               mediate 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   Flower measurements and fruit measurements obtained May 9–Jun. 6, 2006, subjective observations obtained Jul. 31, 2006. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 5 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               Performance ‘Portola’ and three comparison cultivars evaluated at the 
             
             
               Watsonville Research Facility in 2005-7. All plants for these trials were 
             
             
               harvested from a commercial nursery near Macdoel, CA on October 
             
             
               15-16, and transplanted after 18-21 days supplemental storage. Fruit 
             
             
               harvest was initiated in early April and continued through the first week 
             
             
               of October. (52″ 2-row beds, 17,300 plants/acre). 
             
           
        
         
             
                 
                 
               Appearance 
               Fruit 
                 
             
             
                 
               Yield 
               Score 
               Size 
             
             
               Item 
               (g/plant) 
               (5 = best) 
               (g/fruit) 
               Firmness 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               ‘Aromas’ 
               3,108 
               3.1 
               27.0 
               9.6 
             
             
               ‘Diamante’ 
               2,653 
               3.5 
               31.2 
               11.0 
             
             
               ‘Albion’ 
               2,461 
               3.9 
               30.5 
               11.1 
             
             
               ‘Portola’ 
               3,336 
               3.6 
               32.0 
               10.2