Patent Publication Number: US-PP20309-P2

Title: Strawberry plant named ‘Premier’

Description:
Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed:  Fragaria ananassa.    
   Variety denomination: ‘PREMIER’. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety named ‘PREMIER’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made in 2001 between strawberry variety designated ‘PS-1269’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,686) and strawberry variety designated ‘PS-3003’ (unpatented) in an ongoing breeding program. The variety is botanically known as  Fragaria ananassa.  The new variety is distinguished from its parents primarily in fruit color. 
   The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was selected from a controlled breeding plot in Ventura County, Calif. in the fall of 2003. After its selection, the new variety was asexually propagated by stolons in a nursery located in San Joaquin County, Calif. The new variety was extensively tested over the next several years in fruiting fields in Ventura County, Calif. This propagation has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein as characterizing the new variety are fixed and remain true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   ‘PREMIER’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the central coast of California. This region provides the necessary winter temperatures required for it to produce a strong vigorous plant and to remain in fruit production from October through December. The nearby Pacific Ocean provides the needed humidity and moderate temperatures to maintain fruit quality during the fall production months. 
   The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘PREMIER’, which in combination distinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:
         1. Medium red fruit color;   2. Large fruit size;   3. Conical to ovate fruit shape;   4. Large calyx;   5. Medium sized plant;   6. Medium to dark green foliage color;   7. Medium sized foliage;   8. Short fruiting trusses; and   9. Strong pubescence of the fruiting truss.       

   The strawberry variety that is believed to be most closely related to the new strawberry variety ‘PREMIER’ is ‘PS-2880’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,597). In comparison to the similar strawberry variety ‘PS-2880’, the new strawberry variety ‘PREMIER’ differs by the following combination of characteristics as described in Table 1: 
   
     
       
         
             
             
             
           
             
               TABLE 1 
             
             
                 
             
             
                 
                 
               ‘PS-2880’ 
             
             
                 
                 
               (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 
             
             
               Characteristic 
               ‘PREMIER’ 
               15,597) 
             
             
                 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
          
             
               1. 
               Color of mature fruit 
               Medium red 
               Red 
             
             
               2. 
               Average fruit weight (gm) 
               24.7 
               20.7 
             
             
               3. 
               Predominant fruit shape 
               Conical to 
               Conical to wedged 
             
             
                 
                 
               ovate 
             
             
               4. 
               Marketable yield (gm/plt) 
               381 
               457 
             
             
               5. 
               Unevenness of fruit surface 
               Absent or 
               Medium to strong 
             
             
                 
                 
               very weak 
             
             
               6. 
               Insertion of achenes 
               Level with 
               Above the surface 
             
             
                 
                 
               the surface 
             
             
               7. 
               Attitude of calyx 
               Spreading 
               Spreading to reflexed 
             
             
               8. 
               Plant size 
               Medium 
               Medium to large 
             
             
               9. 
               Foliage color (upper surface) 
               Medium to 
               Medium to light green 
             
             
                 
                 
               dark green 
             
             
               10. 
               Petiole pubescence 
               Sparce 
               Moderate 
             
             
               11. 
               Fruiting truss length (cm) 
               20.3 
               27.1 
             
             
               12. 
               Fruiting truss pubescence 
               Strong 
               Medium 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   For identification a series of AFLP molecular markers have been determined for this new variety. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS 
     The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new strawberry variety ‘PREMIER’, at various stages of development as true as it is reasonably possible with color reproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the botanical description which accurately describe the color of ‘PREMIER’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new strawberry variety ‘PREMIER’ were taken in Ventura County, Calif., and are approximately 3 to 4 months old: 
       FIG. 1  shows typical fruiting field characteristics of ‘PREMIER’ taken in the month of October 2007. 
       FIG. 2  shows a close-up view of typical leaf structure of ‘PREMIER’ taken in the month of November 2007. 
       FIG. 3  shows typical mature and immature fruit of ‘PREMIER’ taken in the month of October 2007. 
       FIG. 4  shows a close-up view of mature fruit of ‘PREMIER’ taken in the month of October 2007. 
       FIG. 5  shows typical internal and external mature fruit characteristics of ‘PREMIER’ taken in the month of October 2007. 
   

   DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION 
   ‘PREMIER’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety may vary in detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type and location. 
   The aforementioned photographs, together with the following description of the new variety ‘PREMIER’, unless otherwise noted, is based on observations taken during the 2007 growing season in Ventura County, Calif. These measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘PREMIER’ dug from a low-elevation nursery located in San Joaquin County, Calif. during late January 2007 and planted approximately 6 months later in Ventura County, Calif. The approximate age of the observed plants is 3 to 4 months. Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from four years of data collected from the 2004 through 2007 growing seasons. Flower measurements and characteristics are from secondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruit characteristics and measurements are from secondary fruit unless otherwise noted. 
   Color terminology where noted follows the Munsell Book of Colors, Munsell Colors, Baltimore, Md. (1976). 
   The following tables 2-8 describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage, fruiting truss, flower and pest disease characteristics of the new strawberry ‘PREMIER’ in comparison to the similar strawberry variety ‘PS-2880’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,597). 
   
     
       
         
             
           
             
               TABLE 2 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
             
               FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
          
             
                 
                 
               ‘PS-2880’ 
             
             
                 
                 
               (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 
             
             
               Characteristic 
               ‘PREMIER’ 
               15,597) 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Color of mature fruit 
               7.5R 3/8 to 4/10 
               7.5R 4/8 to 3/8 
             
             
                 
               Medium red 
               Red 
             
             
               Color of internal flesh 
               7.5R 3/12 to 4/12 
               7.5R 3/12 to 4/12 
             
             
                 
               Medium red 
               Medium red 
             
             
               Length (cm) 
               4.5 
               4.7 
             
             
               Width (cm) 
               3.8 
               3.6 
             
             
               Ratio length/width 
               1.20 
               1.29 
             
             
                 
               Slightly longer than 
               Slightly longer than 
             
             
                 
               broad 
               broad 
             
             
               Calyx diameter (cm) 
               6.0 
               5.4 
             
             
               Average weight (gm) 
               24.7 
               20.7 
             
             
               Achene color 
               5Y 6/8 to 7.5R 3/8 
               5Y 6/8 to 7.5R 3/8 
             
             
                 
               Ranges from medium 
               Ranges from medium 
             
             
                 
               yellow to medium red 
               yellow to medium red 
             
             
               Achene weight (mg) 
               0.50 
               0.53 
             
             
               Achenes per berry 
               358 
               364 
             
             
               Marketable yield 
               381 
               457 
             
             
               (gm/plt) 
             
             
               Fruit size 
               Large 
               Medium 
             
             
               Predominant shape 
               Ranges from conical to 
               Ranges from conical to 
             
             
                 
               ovate 
               wedged 
             
             
               Difference in shapes 
               None or very slight 
               Moderate 
             
             
               between primary and 
             
             
               secondary fruit 
             
             
               Band without achenes 
               Absent or very narrow 
               Absent or very narrow 
             
             
               Unevenness of surface 
               Absent or very weak 
               Medium to strong 
             
             
               Evenness of color 
               Ranges from slightly 
               Ranges from even to 
             
             
                 
               uneven to even 
               slightly uneven 
             
             
               Glossiness 
               Ranges from medium 
               Ranges from medium to 
             
             
                 
               to strong 
               strong 
             
             
               Insertion of achenes 
               Level with the surface 
               Above the surface 
             
             
               Insertion of calyx 
               In the basin 
               Ranges from in the basin 
             
             
                 
                 
               to level with the fruit 
             
             
               Attitude of the calyx 
               Spreading 
               Ranges from spreading to 
             
             
                 
                 
               reflexed 
             
             
               Size of calyx in 
               Much larger 
               Slightly larger 
             
             
               relation to fruit 
             
             
               diameter 
             
             
               Adherence of calyx 
               Strong 
               Weak 
             
             
               Firmness of skin 
               Medium 
               Medium 
             
             
               Firmness of flesh 
               Medium 
               Firm 
             
             
               Distribution of red 
               Marginal and central 
               Marginal and central 
             
             
               color of the flesh 
             
             
               Hollow center 
               Weak 
               Ranges from strong to 
             
             
               expression 
                 
               moderate 
             
             
               Flavor 
               Fair 
               Fair to good 
             
             
               Soluble solids (% brix) 
               7.4 
               7.7 
             
             
               Time of first flowering 
               Medium 
               Ranges from early to 
             
             
                 
                 
               medium 
             
             
               Time of first 
               Medium 
               Ranges from early to 
             
             
               harvesting 
                 
               medium 
             
             
               Harvest period 
               Late September to mid 
               Late September to mid 
             
             
                 
               December 
               December 
             
             
               Type of bearing 
               Fully everbearing 
               Fully everbearing 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   
     
       
         
             
           
             
               TABLE 3 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
             
               PLANT CHARACTERISTICS 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
          
             
                 
                 
                 
               ‘PS-2880’ 
             
             
                 
               Characteristic 
               ‘PREMIER’ 
               (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,597) 
             
             
                 
                 
             
             
                 
               Height (cm) 
               20.6 
               26.4 
             
             
                 
               Spread (cm) 
               35.3 
               35.8 
             
             
                 
               Size 
               Medium 
               Ranges from medium to large 
             
             
                 
               Habit 
               Globose 
               Globose 
             
             
                 
               Density 
               Medium 
               Medium 
             
             
                 
               Vigor 
               Medium 
               Ranges from medium to strong 
             
             
                 
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   
     
       
         
             
           
             
               TABLE 4 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
             
               STOLON CHARACTERISTICS 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
          
             
                 
                 
               ‘PS-2880’ 
             
             
               Characteristic 
               ‘PREMIER’ 
               (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,597) 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Average number 
               10.0 
               5.3 
             
             
               per plant 
             
             
               Anthocyanin 
               Ranges from weak 
               Medium 
             
             
               intensity 
               to medium 
             
             
               Anthocyanin 
               7.5R 4/8 to 5/8 
               7.5R 4/6 to 5/6 
             
             
               coloration 
             
             
               Diameter at bract 
               3.8 
               3.3 
             
             
               (mm) 
               Thick 
               Ranges from medium to thick 
             
             
               Pubescence 
               Medium 
               Strong 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   
     
       
         
             
           
             
               TABLE 5 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
             
               FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
          
             
                 
                 
               ‘PS-2880’ 
             
             
                 
                 
               (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 
             
             
               Characteristic 
               ‘PREMIER’ 
               15,597) 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Foliage: 
                 
                 
             
             
               Color of upper 
               7.5GY 2/4 to 3/4 
               7.5GY 3/4 to 4/4 
             
             
               surface 
               Ranges from medium to 
               Ranges from light to 
             
             
                 
               dark green 
               medium green 
             
             
               Color of under 
               5GY 5/4 to 6/4 
               5GY 5/4 to 6/4 
             
             
               side 
               Light grey green 
               Light grey green 
             
             
               Shape in cross 
               Slightly concave 
               Ranges from slightly 
             
             
               section 
                 
               concave to flat 
             
             
               Interveinal 
               Medium 
               Ranges from medium to 
             
             
               blistering 
                 
               strong 
             
             
               Glossiness 
               Ranges from medium to 
               Ranges from medium to 
             
             
                 
               strong 
               strong 
             
             
               Number of 
               Three 
               Three 
             
             
               leaflets 
             
             
               Terminal Leaflet: 
             
             
               Length (cm) 
               8.3 
               10.3 
             
             
               Width (cm) 
               8.1 
               8.8 
             
             
               Length/width 
               1.02 
               1.18 
             
             
               ratio 
             
             
               Serrations/leaf 
               22.8 
               22.9 
             
             
               Size 
               Medium 
               Ranges from medium to 
             
             
                 
                 
               large 
             
             
               Shape of base 
               Obtuse 
               Acute 
             
             
               Shape of teeth 
               Obtuse 
               Obtuse 
             
             
               Petiole: 
             
             
               Petiole color 
               2.5GY 5/6 to 5/8 
               5GY 6/6 to 7/6 
             
             
                 
               Medium yellow green 
               Medium yellow green 
             
             
               Length (cm) 
               12.0 
               13.9 
             
             
               Diameter (mm) 
               4.2 
               4.3 
             
             
               Petiolule color 
               2.5GY 5/6 to 5/8 
               5GY 6/6 to 7/6 
             
             
                 
               Medium yellow green 
               Medium yellow green 
             
             
               Petiolule length 
               10.3 
               15.3 
             
             
               (mm) 
             
             
               Pubescence 
               Sparce 
               Moderate 
             
             
               Attitude of hairs 
               Slightly outward 
               Slightly outward 
             
             
               Stipule: 
             
             
               Color 
               2.5GY 5/6 to 6/6 
               2.5GY 5/6 to 6/6 
             
             
                 
               Medium yellow green 
               Medium yellow green 
             
             
               Length (mm) 
               26.1 
               26.3 
             
             
               Width (mm) 
               12.3 
               9.2 
             
             
               Anthocyanin 
               Medium 
               Absent or very weak 
             
             
               intensity 
             
             
               Anthocyanin 
               10RP 4/8 to 4/10 
               10RP 5/6 to 5/8 
             
             
               color 
               Red purple 
               Red purple 
             
             
               Length (cm) 
               20.3 
               27.1 
             
             
               Flower position 
               Ranges from level with 
               Level with the foliage 
             
             
               relative to foliage 
               to beneath the foliage 
             
             
               Anthocyanin 
               Medium 
               Weak 
             
             
               intensity 
             
             
               Anthocyanin 
               10RP 4/8 to 5/8 
               10RP 5/6 to 6/6 
             
             
               color 
               Red purple 
               Red purple 
             
             
               Pubescence 
               Strong 
               Medium 
             
             
               Attitude at first 
               Prostrate 
               Prostrate 
             
             
               pick 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   
     
       
         
             
           
             
               TABLE 6 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
             
               FRUITING TRUSS CHARACTERISTICS 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
          
             
                 
                 
               ‘PS-2880’ 
             
             
                 
                 
               (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 
             
             
               Characteristic 
               ‘PREMIER’ 
               15,597) 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Length (cm) 
               20.3 
               27.1 
             
             
               Flower position 
               Ranges from level with 
               Level with the foliage 
             
             
                relative to foliage 
               to beneath the foliage 
             
             
               Anthocyanin instensity 
               Medium 
               Weak 
             
             
               Anthocyanin color 
               10RP 4/8 to 5/8 
               10RP 5/6 to 6/6 
             
             
                 
               Red purple 
               Red purple 
             
             
               Pubescence 
               Strong 
               Medium 
             
             
               Attitude at first pick 
               Prostrate 
               Prostrate 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   
     
       
         
             
           
             
               TABLE 7 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
             
               FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
          
             
                 
                 
               ‘PS-2880’ 
             
             
                 
                 
               (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 
             
             
               Characteristic 
               ‘PREMIER’ 
               15,597) 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Petal color 
               N 9.5/90.0% R to 
               N 9.5/90.0% R to 
             
             
                 
               9.25/84.2% R 
               9.25/84.2% R 
             
             
                 
               White 
               White 
             
             
               Corolla diameter 
               32.7 
               33.6 
             
             
               (mm) 
             
             
               Calyx diameter 
               39.5 
               34.1 
             
             
               (mm) 
             
             
               Petal length (mm) 
               12.8 
               13.0 
             
             
               Petal width (mm) 
               12.7 
               13.8 
             
             
               Petal length/width 
               1.01 
               0.95 
             
             
               ratio 
             
             
               Petals/flower 
               5.4 
               6.5 
             
             
               Sepal color 
               5GY 3/6 to 4/6 
               5GY 4/4 to 4/6 
             
             
                 
               Medium yellow green 
               Medium yellow green 
             
             
               Sepal length 
               15.6 
               12.3 
             
             
               (mm) 
             
             
               Sepal width (mm) 
               7.1 
               4.4 
             
             
               Sepal 
               2.21 
               2.78 
             
             
               length/width ratio 
             
             
               Sepals/flower 
               10.8 
               12.3 
             
             
               Size of calyx 
               Larger 
               Ranges from same size to 
             
             
               relative to corolla 
                 
               larger 
             
             
               Size of inner 
               Smaller 
               Smaller 
             
             
               calyx relative to 
             
             
               outer calyx 
             
             
               Relative position 
               Overlapping 
               Overlapping 
             
             
               of petals 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   
     
       
         
             
           
             
               TABLE 8 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
             
               PEST AND DISEASE REACTIONS 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
          
             
                 
                 
               ‘PS-2880’ 
             
             
                 
                 
               (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 
             
             
               Characteristic 
               ‘PREMIER’ 
               15,597) 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Two spotted spider mite 
               Moderately susceptible 
               Moderately susceptible 
             
             
               Lygus bug 
               Susceptible 
               Susceptible 
             
             
               Flower thrips 
               Moderately susceptible 
               Moderately susceptible 
             
             
               Powdery mildew 
               Susceptible 
               Susceptible 
             
             
               Botrytis fruit rot 
               Moderately susceptible 
               Moderately susceptible 
             
             
               Angular leaf spot 
               Moderately susceptible 
               Susceptible