Abstract:
This invention relates to a new and distinctive day-neutral type of strawberry designated as ‘Monterey’. ‘Monterey’ 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 fruit.

Description:
Genus and species: The strawberry cultivar of this invention is botanically identified as  Fragaria×ananassa  Duch. 
   Variety denomination: The variety denomination is ‘Monterey’. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a new and distinctive day-neutral type cultivar designated as ‘Monterey’, which resulted from a cross performed in 2001 between the cultivar ‘Albion’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,228) and advanced selection Cal 97.85-6. ‘Monterey’ was first fruited at the University of California Wolfskill Experimental Orchard, near Winters, Calif. in 2002, where it was selected, originally designated Cal 1.132-3, and propagated asexually by runners. Following selection and during testing, the plant of this selection was designated ‘CN222’ and, later for introduction into commerce, ‘Monterey’. Asexual propagules from this original source have been tested at the Watsonville Strawberry Research Facility, the South Coast Research and Extension Center, and to a limited extent in grower fields starting in 2005. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   ‘Monterey’ 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 fruit. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The figures depict various characteristics of the ‘Monterey’ 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 representative mid-season fruit. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   ‘Monterey’ is typical of day-neutral strawberry cultivars and produces fruit regardless of day length when treated appropriately in arid, subtropical climates. ‘Monterey’ is moderate to weak in expressing the day-neutral character, being comparable in flowering response to ‘Diamante’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,435) and ‘Albion’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,228), and less so than ‘Fern’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,267) or ‘Irvine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,172). The production pattern for ‘Monterey’ is similar to that for ‘Albion’. ‘Monterey’ will be of special interest for winter plantings and in summer plantings where ‘Diamante’ and ‘Albion’ have been successful.
     Plants and foliage: Fruiting plants of ‘Monterey’ are similar in morphology to ‘Diamante’ and ‘Albion’ although much larger and more erect. ‘Monterey’ plants are substantially more open and erect than ‘Aromas’ plants. Comparative statistics for foliar characters near mid-season are given for ‘Monterey’ and the three comparison cultivars in Table 1. Individual leaflets for ‘Monterey’ are similar in shape and size to the comparison cultivars, but are somewhat less rounded. Leaves (including petioles) for ‘Monterey’ are longer than those for the comparison cultivars, mostly due to greater petiole length. Petioles are generally thicker than those of the comparison cultivars and tend to have heavy pubescence. The adaxial (upper) and abaxial (lower) surfaces of leaves for ‘Monterey’ are similar in color to the comparison cultivars at mid season. Leaves of ‘Monterey’ have consistently greater concavity than ‘Aromas’, ‘Diamante’, and ‘Albion’.   Disease and pest reaction: ‘Monterey’ is moderately susceptible to powdery mildew ( Sphaerotheca macularis ), and is moderately resistant to Anthracnose crown rot ( Colletotrichum acutatum ) and  Verticillium  wilt ( Verticillium dahliae ). It is moderately susceptible 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. ‘Monterey’ is tolerant to strawberry viruses encountered in California.   

   
     
       
             
           
             
             
           
             
             
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 1 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               Foliar and plant characteristics for 
             
             
               ‘Monterey’, ‘Aromas’, ‘Diamante’, and ‘Albion’. 
             
           
        
         
             
                 
                             Cultivar 
             
           
        
         
             
               Foliar 
                 
                 
                 
                 
             
             
               Character 
               ‘Aromas’ 
               ‘Diamante’ 
               ‘Albion’ 
               ‘Monterey’ 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               Plant height 
                 
                 
                 
                 
             
             
               (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               272 
               220 
               223 
               311 
             
             
               range 
               240-300 
               190-240 
               170-290 
               260-380 
             
             
               Plant spread 
             
             
               (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               323 
               316 
               295 
               343 
             
             
               range 
               300-360 
               265-385 
               270-315 
               315-395 
             
             
               Mid-tier 
             
             
               leaflet 
             
             
               Length (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               79 
               78 
               70 
               78 
             
             
               range 
               70-90 
               60-90 
               60-80 
                70-100 
             
             
               Width (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               74 
               77 
               68 
               73 
             
             
               range 
               70-80 
               55-90 
               60-80 
                60-100 
             
             
               Mid-tier leaf 
             
             
               Length (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               113 
               99 
               99 
               111 
             
             
               range 
               100-120 
                80-120 
                90-110 
               100-140 
             
             
               Width (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               135 
               134 
               122 
               140 
             
             
               range 
               120-150 
                90-150 
               105-135 
               120-150 
             
             
               Leaf 
             
             
               components 
             
             
               Petiole 
             
             
               length (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               174 
               114 
               122 
               212 
             
             
               range 
               140-210 
               100-130 
                95-180 
               200-230 
             
             
               Petiole 
             
             
               diameter 
             
             
               (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               4.5 
               5.2 
               4.9 
               5.1 
             
             
               range 
               4-6 
               4-7 
               4-6 
               4-6 
             
             
               Petiolule 
             
             
               length (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               6.6 
               5.2 
               6.7 
               7.4 
             
             
               range 
               4.3-7.5 
               4.0-7.6 
               5.0-8.0 
               7-8 
             
             
               # 
               3 
               3 
               3 
               3 
             
             
               leaflets/leaf 
             
             
               Leaf 
               some flat, 
               some flat, 
               some flat, 
               Mostly 
             
             
               convexity 
               most slight 
               most slight 
               most slight 
               concave 
             
             
                 
               concave 
               concave 
               concave 
             
             
               Serrations 
             
             
               number/leaf 
               19.9 
               20.2 
               23.3 
               21.4 
             
             
               range 
               16-24 
               16-24 
               21-27 
               19-24 
             
             
               shape 
               rounded to 
               rounded to 
               semi-pointed 
               semi-pointed 
             
             
                 
               semi-pointed 
               semi-pointed 
             
             
               Leaf 
               moderate 
               moderate- 
               moderate 
               heavy 
             
             
               pubescence 
                 
               heavy 
             
             
               Petiole 
               Moderate- 
               heavy 
               heavy 
               moderate- 
             
             
               pubescence 
               heavy 
                 
                 
               heavy 
             
             
               density 
             
             
               direction 
               perpen- 
               perpen- 
               perpen- 
               perpendicular 
             
             
                 
               dicular 
               dicular 
               dicular 
             
             
               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 
               34.7 
             
             
               range 
               30-39 
               22-36 
               24-37 
               31-38 
             
             
               Stipule color 
             
             
               core 
               7.5 GY 8/7 
               7.5 GY 8/7 
               5 GY 8/7 
               5 GY 7/10 
             
             
               margins 
               2.5 GY 9/3 
               5 GY 6/8 
               5 GY 6/8 
               2.5 GY 7/10 
             
             
               Stolon base 
               3.0 
               3.2 
               3.0 
               3.0 
             
             
               diameter 
             
             
               (mm) 
             
             
               Stolons per 
               33.0 
               29.0 
               26.9 
               28.6 
             
             
               nursery 
             
             
               mother plant 
             
             
               Venation 
               pinnate 
               pinnate 
               pinnate 
               pinnate 
             
             
               pattern 
             
             
               color 
               2.5 GY 5/5 
               10 GY 5/5 
               2.5 GY 6/8 
               10 Y 7/9 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
       
       Flowering, fruiting, fruit, and production characteristics: ‘Monterey’ 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 ‘Monterey’ and the three comparison cultivars in Table 4. The primary flowers for ‘Monterey’ are similar in size to the comparison cultivars with a calyx that is distinctly larger than the corolla on primary fruit. The sepals are similar in length and shape to those of the comparison cultivars, but are smaller relative to the corolla than for ‘Albion’. The calyx for ‘Monterey’ varies in position but is usually more reflexed than for ‘Aromas’ or ‘Diamante’, similar to ‘Albion’. The fruit shape for ‘Monterey’ can vary but is typically a short and either symmetrical or slightly flattened conic. It is easily distinguished by fruit shape from ‘Aromas’ (shortened and rounded conic), ‘Diamante’ (usually a flat conic) or ‘Albion’ (long conic). ‘Monterey’ usually has a greater proportion of symmetrical fruit than the comparison cultivars. External fruit color for ‘Monterey’ is similar to ‘Aromas’ or ‘Albion’, but 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 frequently more yellow than the comparison cultivars, and are even with the fruit surface or slightly indented. 
     
  
   ‘Monterey’ 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, ‘Monterey’ is more vigorous than the comparison cultivars and is less sensitive to low chilling. ‘Monterey’ retains excellent fruit quality in summer planting systems. 
   When treated with appropriate planting regimes, ‘Monterey’ has larger fruit and produces greater individual-plant yield than any of the comparison cultivars (Table 5). ‘Monterey’ 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 better 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 ‘Monterey’ is substantially firmer than fruit from ‘Aromas’, similar in firmness to the other comparison cultivars. Subjectively, ‘Monterey’ has outstanding flavor with a distinct sweet aftertaste. 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 ‘Monterey’ 
             
             
               and three comparison cultivars. 
             
           
        
         
             
                 
                            Cultivar 
             
           
        
         
             
               Color 
                 
                 
                 
                 
             
             
               Character 
               ‘Aromas’ 
               ‘Diamante’ 
               ‘Albion’ 
               ‘Monterey’ 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               Leaf color 
                 
                 
                 
                 
             
             
               (CIELAB) 
             
             
               Adaxial 
             
             
               L* 
             
             
               mean 
               35.1 
               34.8 
               34.7 
               35.4 
             
             
               range 
               32.7-37.7 
               32.6-36.8 
               32.8-36.7 
               31.3-37.3 
             
             
               a* 
             
             
               mean 
               −10.6 
               −10.4 
               −9.8 
               −11.0 
             
             
               range 
                −8.2-−14.0 
                −8.7-−11.9 
                −9.4-−11.3 
                −9.5-−12.2 
             
             
               b* 
             
             
               mean 
               13.8 
               13.8 
               12.8 
               14.5 
             
             
               range 
               11.2-18.1 
               12.2-16.6 
               10.7-15.6 
               12.6-16.3 
             
             
               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 
               49.2 
             
             
               range 
               50.6-54.1 
               49.7-52.2 
               43.7-53.1 
               46.7-52.4 
             
             
               a* 
             
             
               mean 
               −11.6 
               −12.8 
               −12.4 
               −12.6 
             
             
               range 
               −10.7-−13.6 
               −11.6-−14.9 
                −8.6-−11.4 
               −11.8-−13.2 
             
             
               b* 
             
             
               mean 
               17.3 
               19.5 
               17.2 
               18.4 
             
             
               range 
               14.3-23.2 
               15.3-23.5 
               14.5-19.6 
               16.4-21.8 
             
             
               Munsell 
               10 GY 7/8 
               7.5 GY 6/8 
               7.5 GY 8/7 
               5 GY 5/6 
             
             
               Fruit color 
             
             
               (CIELAB) 
             
             
               External 
             
             
               L* 
             
             
               mean 
               34.2 
               40.8 
               36.5 
               35.0 
             
             
               range 
               31.2-38.3 
               35.5-45.4 
               32.8-40.1 
               32.0-38.4 
             
             
               a* 
             
             
               mean 
               33.9 
               36.7 
               33.3 
               36.1 
             
             
               range 
               31.5-38.6 
               35.6-40.2 
               28.3-36.2 
               32.2-40.2 
             
             
               b* 
             
             
               mean 
               14.1 
               21.2 
               17.6 
               16.3 
             
             
               range 
                9.1-16.5 
               18.8-25.7 
               12.2-24.9 
               13.3-19.5 
             
             
               Munsell 
               2.5 R 4/10 
               5 R 5/13 
               5 R 3/7 
               5 R 3/7 
             
             
               Internal 
             
             
               L* 
             
             
               mean 
               61.6 
               65.6 
               57.9 
               48.8 
             
             
               range 
               59.5-67.7 
               58.8-67.2 
               43.3-62.9 
               30.6-56.0 
             
             
               a* 
             
             
               mean 
               14.7 
               5.6 
               19.0 
               31.7 
             
             
               range 
                7.6-19.2 
               3.0-9.5 
                7.9-27.7 
               26.3-36.8 
             
             
               b* 
             
             
               mean 
               20.2 
               15.8 
               21.0 
               28.4 
             
             
               range 
               16.1-22.5 
               14.5-18.2 
               13.2-27.2 
               24.1-33.0 
             
             
               Munsell 
               5 R 6/11 
               10 R 7/9 
               7.5 R 4/11 
               7.5 R 6/12 
             
             
               Achene color 
               7.5 R 4/11 
               7.5 R 4/11 
               10 R 5/6 
               7.5 Y 7/9 
             
             
               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 ‘Monterey’ 
             
             
               and three comparison cultivars; 
             
             
                 Phytophthora  and  Verticillium  scores were 
             
             
               obtained in evaluations conducted 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 
             
             
               ‘Monterey’ 
               3.2 
               3.4 
               2.6 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
           
             
             
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 4 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               Flower and fruit characters for ‘Monterey’ 
             
             
               and three comparison cultivars. 
             
           
        
         
             
                 
                             Cultivar 
             
           
        
         
             
               Character 
               ‘Aromas’ 
               ‘Diamante’ 
               ‘Albion’ 
               ‘Monterey’ 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               Petal number 
                 
                 
                 
                 
             
             
               mean 
               5.5 
               5.4 
               5.6 
               6.5 
             
             
               range 
               5-7 
               5-6 
               5-7 
               5-7 
             
             
               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 
               10.7 
             
             
               range 
                8-11 
                7-13 
                8-11 
                9-13 
             
             
               Petal 
             
             
               width (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               11.8 
               10.6 
               9.0 
               11.3 
             
             
               range 
               10-13 
               10-13 
                7-10 
               10-13 
             
             
               Flower 
               most even 
               most even 
               most 
               most 
             
             
               position 
               some 
               some 
               exposed, 
               exposed, 
             
             
               (relative to 
               exposed 
               internal and 
               some even 
               some even 
             
             
               foliage) 
                 
               exposed 
             
             
               Calyx 
             
             
               diam.(mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               31.3 
               32.0 
               37.5 
               33.2 
             
             
               range 
               28-33 
               25-41 
               31-48 
               29-40 
             
             
               Corolla 
             
             
               diam.(mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               31.2 
               23.9 
               27.8 
               32.9 
             
             
               range 
               26-35 
               18-31 
               23-33 
               25-41 
             
             
               Sepal 
             
             
               length (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               12.3 
               12.1 
               14.1 
               11.1 
             
             
               range 
                8-15 
               10-15 
               11-18 
               10-12 
             
             
               Sepal 
             
             
               width (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               6.4 
               6.7 
               6.6 
               6.8 
             
             
               range 
               3-9 
               5-9 
                4-10 
               5-8 
             
             
               Sepal color 
               7.5 GY 6/8 
               5 GY 5/6 
               2.5 GY 6/8 
               5 GY 6/8 
             
             
               (Munsell) 
             
             
               Pedicel 
             
             
               length (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               172 
               140 
               218 
               246 
             
             
               range 
               112-230 
               110-165 
               180-270 
               190-270 
             
             
               Pedicel 
             
             
               diameter 
             
             
               (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               4.4 
               5.3 
               3.1 
               3.0 
             
             
               range 
               4-6 
               4-6 
               2-4 
               2-4 
             
             
               Pedicel color 
               5 GY 6/8 
               5 GY 7/10 
               5 GY 6/8 
               5 GY 7/10 
             
             
               Fruit shape 
             
             
               Fruit length 
             
             
               (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               46.6 
               46.4 
               61.7 
               57.2 
             
             
               range 
               42-52 
               39-50 
               50-76 
               50-62 
             
             
               Fruit width 
             
             
               (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               39.4 
               40.7 
               46.6 
               47.9 
             
             
               range 
               37-43 
               38-46 
               37-52 
               42-55 
             
             
               Length/width 
             
             
               ratio 
               1.2 
               1.1 
               1.3 
               1.2 
             
             
               range 
               1.0-1.4 
               1.0-1.2 
               1.2-1.5 
               1.1-1.3 
             
             
               subjective 
               mostly 
               rounded to 
               most long 
               medium 
             
             
                 
               medium to 
               flat conic 
               symmetrical 
               conic 
             
             
                 
               short flat 
                 
               conic 
             
             
                 
               conic 
             
             
               Primary/ 
             
             
               secondary 
             
             
               fruit 
             
             
               comparison 
             
             
               size 
                 60-80% 
                 60-80% 
                 60-70% 
                 60-80% 
             
             
               (subjective) 
             
             
               shape 
               similar shape 
               similar shape 
               similar shape 
               similar shape 
             
             
               Extent/size 
               small-absent 
               small-absent 
               small- 
               small-absent 
             
             
               of 
                 
                 
               medium 
             
             
               hollow core 
             
             
               Calyx 
             
             
               position 
               indented- 
               even- 
               even- 
               even-reflexed 
             
             
                 
               even with 
               indented 
               reflexed 
             
             
                 
               neck 
             
             
               size relative 
               equal or 
               equal or 
               equal or 
               equal or 
             
             
               to fruit 
               greater than 
               greater than 
               greater than 
               greater than 
             
             
                 
               fruit 
               fruit 
               fruit 
               fruit diameter 
             
             
                 
               diameter 
               diameter 
               diameter 
             
             
               Seed 
               indented- 
               indented- 
               indented- 
               even- 
             
             
               position 
               extruded 
               even 
               extruded 
               indented 
             
             
               Adherence 
               intermediate 
               intermediate 
               intermediate 
               intermediate 
             
             
               of Calyx to 
             
             
               Fruit 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   Flower measurements and fruit measurements obtained May 9-Jun. 6, 2006. Subjective observations obtained Jul. 31, 2006. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 5 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
             
               Performance ‘Monterey’ 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 
             
             
               ‘Monterey’ 
               3,301 
               3.4 
               32.4 
               11.1