Patent Publication Number: US-PP20291-P3

Title: Strawberry plant named ‘PS-5096’

Description:
Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed:  Fragaria ananassa.    
   Variety denomination: ‘PS-5096’. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety designated as ‘PS-5096’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made by the inventors Stephen M. Ackerman, Steven D. Nelson, and Michael D. Nelson, in 1997 between strawberry variety ‘PS-592’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,903) and strawberry variety designated ‘PS-1150’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,780). It is unknown as to which parent variety is the seed parent and which parent variety is the pollen parent. The variety is botanically known as  Fragaria ananassa.    
   The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was asexually propagated by stolons in a nursery located in Siskiyou County, California, and was subsequently selected by the inventors from a controlled breeding plot in Salinas, Calif., in 1999. After its selection, the new variety was further asexually propagated by stolons in both Siskiyou County, California and San Joaquin County, California. The new variety was extensively tested over the next several years in fruiting fields of Salinas, 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 
   ‘PS-5096’ 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 April through November. The nearby Pacific Ocean provides the needed humidity and moderate temperatures to maintain fruit quality during the spring and summer production months. 
   The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘PS-5096’, which in combination distinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:
         1. Medium to small sized fruit;   2. Orange-red to red fruit color;   3. Medium to small calyx diameter;   4. Conical, glossy fruit with the calyx which tends to be slightly reflexed;   5. Medium green foliage; slightly concave to slightly convex in shape with medium interveinal blistering and gloss; and   6. Position of fruiting truss tends to be more level with to above the plant with weak pubescence.       

   The strawberry varieties that are believed to be most closely related to the new strawberry variety ‘PS-5096’ are the parental cultivars, strawberry variety ‘PS-592’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,903) and strawberry variety ‘PS-1150’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,780). 
   In side-by-side comparisons to the similar strawberry varieties ‘PS-592’ and ‘PS-1150’, the new strawberry variety ‘PS-5096’ differs by the following combination of characteristics as described in Table 1: 
   
     
       
         
             
             
             
             
           
             
               TABLE 1 
             
             
                 
             
             
                 
                 
               ‘PS-592’ 
               ‘PS-1150’ 
             
             
                 
                 
               (U.S. Plant Pat. 
               (U.S. Plant Pat. 
             
             
               Characteristic 
               ‘PS-5096’ 
               No.   9,903) 
               No.   10,780) 
             
             
                 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
             
          
             
               1. 
               Average berry 
               19.3 
               23.1 
               17.6 
             
             
                 
               weight (gm) 
             
             
               2. 
               Achenes per berry 
               254 
               304 
               293 
             
             
               3. 
               Distribution of 
               Only marginal 
               Marginal &amp; 
               Marginal &amp; 
             
             
                 
               red color of the 
                 
               central 
               central 
             
             
                 
               internal flesh 
             
             
               4. 
               Number of 
               5.5 
               5.0 
               5.0 
             
             
                 
               crowns per Plant 
             
             
               5. 
               Plant Size 
               Medium to 
               Large 
               Medium 
             
             
                 
                 
               large 
             
             
               6. 
               Stolon 
               Absent or 
               Medium 
               Medium to 
             
             
                 
               anthocyanin 
               very weak 
                 
               strong 
             
             
                 
               intensity 
             
             
               7. 
               Stolon 
               Weak to 
               Medium 
               Medium to 
             
             
                 
               pubescence 
               medium 
                 
               strong 
             
             
               8. 
               Foliage Color 
               Medium green 
               Medium green 
               Medium green 
             
             
                 
               (upper surface) 
             
             
               9. 
               Foliage 
               Medium 
               Medium to 
               Weak to 
             
             
                 
               interveinal 
                 
               strong 
               medium 
             
             
                 
               blistering 
             
             
               10. 
               Foliage gloss 
               Medium 
               Strong 
               Weak 
             
             
               11. 
               Fruiting truss 
               Level with to 
               Level with to 
               Above 
             
             
                 
               position relative 
               above 
               beneath 
             
             
                 
               to foliage 
             
             
               12. 
               Fruiting truss 
               Weak 
               Medium 
               Medium 
             
             
                 
               pubescence 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   For identification a series of AFLP molecular markers have been determined for this new variety. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new strawberry variety ‘PS-5096’, 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 ‘PS-5096’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new strawberry variety ‘PS-5096’ were taken in Salinas, Calif., and are approximately 8 to 9 months old. 
       FIG. 1  shows typical fruiting field characteristics taken in the month of June, 2006. 
       FIG. 2  shows a close-up view of typical leaf structure taken in the month of June, 2006. 
       FIG. 3  shows typical mature and immature field fruit taken in the month of June, 2006. 
       FIG. 4  shows a close-up view of fruit taken in the month of July, 2006. 
   

   DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION 
   ‘PS-5096’ 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 ‘PS-5096’, unless otherwise noted, is based on observations taken during the 2006 growing season in Salinas, Calif. These measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘PS-5096’ dug from a high-elevation nursery located in Siskiyou County, California during the middle of October 2005 and planted approximately 3 weeks later in Salinas, Calif. The approximate age of the observed plants is 7 to 10 months. Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from four years of data collected from the 2003 through 2006 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 Color, Baltimore, Md. (1976). 
   The following Tables 2-8 describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage, fruiting truss, flower and pest/disease characteristics of the new strawberry ‘PS-5096’ in comparison to the similar strawberry varieties ‘PS-592’ and ‘PS-1150’. 
   
     
       
         
             
           
             
               TABLE 2 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
             
               FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
          
             
                 
                 
               ‘PS-592’ 
               ‘PS-1150’ 
             
             
                 
                 
               (U.S. Plant Pat. 
               (U.S. Plant Pat. 
             
             
               Characteristic 
               ‘PS-5096’ 
               No.   9,903) 
               No.   10,780) 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Color of mature fruit 
               7.5R 3/12-4/12 
               7.5R 3/12-4/12 
               7.5R 4/10-3/8 
             
             
                 
               Orange red to 
               Orange red to 
               Red 
             
             
                 
               red 
               red 
             
             
               Color of internal flesh 
               7.5R 4/10-4/12 
               7.5R 5/10-4/10 
               7.5R 4/10-4/12 
             
             
                 
               Medium red 
               Light red 
               Medium red 
             
             
               Length (cm) 
               4.39 
               4.83 
               4.20 
             
             
               Width (cm) 
               3.68 
               4.26 
               3.69 
             
             
               Ratio length/width 
               1.19 
               1.13 
               1.14 
             
             
                 
               Slightly longer 
               Slightly longer 
               Slightly longer 
             
             
                 
               than broad 
               than broad 
               than broad 
             
             
               Calyx diameter (cm) 
               4.0 
               5.0 
               4.2 
             
             
               Average weight (gm) 
               19.3 
               23.1 
               17.6 
             
             
               Achene color 
               5Y 6/8-7.5R 
               5Y 6/8-7.5R 
               5Y6/8-7.5R 3/8 
             
             
                 
               3/8 
               3/8 
             
             
               Achenes per berry 
               254 
               304 
               293 
             
             
               Achene weight (mg) 
               0.59 
               0.61 
               0.56 
             
             
               Marketable yield 
               1,219 
               1,392 
               1,010 
             
             
               (gm/plt) 
             
             
               Size 
               Medium to 
               Medium to 
               Small 
             
             
                 
               small 
               large 
             
             
               Predominant shape 
               Conical 
               Conical 
               Conical 
             
             
               Difference in shapes 
               None or very 
               Moderate 
               Slight 
             
             
               between primary and 
               slight 
             
             
               secondary fruit 
             
             
               Band without achenes 
               Absent or very 
               Absent or very 
               Absent or very 
             
             
                 
               narrow 
               narrow 
               narrow 
             
             
               Unevenness of surface 
               Absent or very 
               Weak 
               Absent or very 
             
             
                 
               weak 
             
             
               Evenness of color 
               Even 
               Slightly uneven 
               Even 
             
             
                 
                 
               to even 
             
             
               Glossiness 
               Strong 
               Medium to 
               Strong 
             
             
                 
                 
               strong 
             
             
               Insertion of achenes 
               Level with 
               Level with 
               Level with 
             
             
                 
               surface 
               surface 
               surface 
             
             
               Insertion of calyx 
               In the basin 
               Level to above 
               In the basin 
             
             
                 
               to level 
               fruit 
               to level 
             
             
               Attitude of the calyx 
               Spreading to 
               Spreading to 
               Collapsing to 
             
             
                 
               reflexed 
               reflexed 
               reflexed 
             
             
               Size of calyx in 
               Slightly larger 
               Slightly larger 
               Slightly larger 
             
             
               relation to 
             
             
               fruit diameter 
             
             
               Adherence of calyx 
               Strong 
               Strong 
               Strong 
             
             
               Firmness of skin 
               Strong 
               Medium 
               Strong 
             
             
               Firmness of flesh 
               Firm 
               Medium 
               Medium to 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               firm 
             
             
               Keeping quality: 
               Excellent 
               Moderate 
               Excellent 
             
             
               Distribution of red 
               Only marginal 
               Marginal and 
               Marginal and 
             
             
               color of the flesh 
                 
               central 
               central 
             
             
               Hollow center 
               Moderate 
               Moderate to 
               Moderate to 
             
             
               expression 
                 
               strong 
               strong 
             
             
               Flavor 
               Good 
               Very good 
               Fair 
             
             
               Soluble solids 
               8.3 
               8.0 
               7.4 
             
             
               (% Brix) 
             
             
               Time of first flowering 
               Medium 
               Early 
               Late 
             
             
               Flowering period 
               Early March 
               Late February 
               Mid March 
             
             
                 
                 
               to early March 
             
             
               Time of first 
               Medium 
               Early 
               Late 
             
             
               harvesting 
             
             
               Harvest period 
               Early April to 
               Late March to 
               Mid April to 
             
             
                 
               early December 
               early December 
               early December 
             
             
               Type of bearing 
               Partially 
               Partially 
               Partially 
             
             
                 
               remontant 
               remontant 
               remontant 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   
     
       
         
             
           
             
               TABLE 3 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
             
               PLANT CHARACTERISTICS 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
          
             
                 
                 
               ‘PS-592’ 
               ‘PS-1150’ 
             
             
                 
                 
               (U.S. Plant Pat. 
               (U.S. Plant Pat. 
             
             
               Characteristic 
               ‘PS-5096’ 
               No.   9,903) 
               No.   10,780) 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Height of plant (cm) 
               29.7 
               31.0 
               30.0 
             
             
               Spread of plant (cm) 
               31.7 
               35.1 
               28.8 
             
             
               Crowns/plant 
               5.5 
               5.0 
               5.0 
             
             
               Size 
               Large to medium 
               Large 
               Medium 
             
             
               Habit 
               Globose 
               Globose 
               Globose 
             
             
               Density 
               Medium 
               Open to 
               Medium 
             
             
                 
                 
               medium 
             
             
               Vigor 
               Medium to strong 
               Strong 
               Medium 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   
     
       
         
             
           
             
               TABLE 4 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
             
               STOLON CHARACTERISTICS 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
          
             
                 
                 
               ‘PS-592’ 
               ‘PS-1150’ 
             
             
                 
                 
               (U.S. Plant Pat. 
               (U.S. Plant Pat. 
             
             
               Characteristic 
               ‘PS-5096’ 
               No.   9,903) 
               No.   10,780) 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Average stolon 
               Few 
               Few to medium 
               Few 
             
             
               number per plant from 
             
             
               the fruiting field 
             
             
               Anthocyanin 
               7.5R 6/6-6/4 
               7.5R 5/6-5/4 
               7.5R 4/6-5/6 
             
             
               coloration 
             
             
               Anthocyanin intensity 
               Absent or very 
               Medium 
               Medium to 
             
             
                 
               weak 
                 
               strong 
             
             
               Diameter at bract 
               4.0 
               4.4 
               4.2 
             
             
               (mm) 
               Thin to 
               Thick 
               Thin to 
             
             
                 
               medium 
                 
               medium 
             
             
               Pubescence 
               Weak to 
               Medium 
               Medium to 
             
             
                 
               medium 
                 
               strong 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   
     
       
         
             
           
             
               TABLE 5 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
             
               FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
          
             
                 
                 
               ‘PS-592’ 
               ‘PS-1150’ 
             
             
                 
                 
               (U.S. Plant Pat. 
               (U.S. Plant Pat. 
             
             
               Characteristic 
               ‘PS-5096’ 
               No.   9,903) 
               No.   10,780) 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Foliage: 
                 
                 
                 
             
             
               Color of upper surface 
               7.5GY 4/4-3/4 
               7.5GY 4/4-3/4 
               7.5GY 4/4-3/4 
             
             
                 
               Medium green 
               Medium green 
               Medium green 
             
             
               Color of under side 
               5GY 5/4-6/4 
               5GY 5/4-6/4 
               5GY 5/4-6/4 
             
             
                 
               Light to 
               Light to 
               Light to 
             
             
                 
               medium grey 
               medium grey 
               medium grey 
             
             
                 
               green 
               green 
               green 
             
             
               Shape in cross section 
               Slightly 
               Slightly 
               Slightly 
             
             
                 
               concave to 
               concave 
               concave to 
             
             
                 
               slightly convex 
                 
               slightly convex 
             
             
               Interveinal blistering 
               Medium 
               Medium to 
               Weak to 
             
             
                 
                 
               strong 
               medium 
             
             
               Glossiness 
               Medium 
               Strong 
               Weak 
             
             
               Number of leaflets 
               3 
               3 
               3 to 4 
             
             
               Terminal Leaflet: 
             
             
               Length (cm) 
               9.2 
               9.5 
               7.2 
             
             
               Width (cm) 
               6.6 
               8.0 
               6.4 
             
             
               Length/width ratio 
               1.39 
               1.19 
               1.13 
             
             
               Serrations/leaf 
               20.7 
               20.7 
               19.3 
             
             
               Size 
               Much longer 
               Much longer 
               Longer than 
             
             
                 
               than broad 
               than broad 
               broad 
             
             
               Shape of base 
               Acute 
               Acute 
               Obtuse 
             
             
               Shape of teeth 
               Obtuse 
               Obtuse 
               Obtuse 
             
             
               Petiole: 
             
             
               Length (cm) 
               20.8 
               21.1 
               19.0 
             
             
               Diameter (mm) 
               3.6 
               4.7 
               3.1 
             
             
               Petiolule length (mm) 
               13.0 
               15.7 
               9.3 
             
             
               Pubescence 
               Moderate to 
               Moderate to 
               Moderate to 
             
             
                 
               sparse 
               sparse 
               sparse 
             
             
               Attitude of hairs 
               Slightly 
               Strongly 
               Strongly 
             
             
                 
               outward 
               outward 
               outward 
             
             
               Size bract leaflets 
               Small 
               Small to 
               Small 
             
             
                 
                 
               medium 
             
             
               Stipules: 
             
             
               Length (mm) 
               15.4 
               20.8 
               14.5 
             
             
               Width (mm) 
               8.3 
               8.5 
               8.4 
             
             
               Anthocyanin 
               Medium 
               Medium 
               Absent or very 
             
             
               coloration 
                 
                 
               weak 
             
             
               Color 
               Light to 
               Light to 
               Light to 
             
             
                 
               medium green 
               medium green 
               medium green 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   
     
       
         
             
           
             
               TABLE 6 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
             
               FRUITING TRUSS CHARACTERISTICS 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
          
             
                 
                 
               ‘PS-592’ 
               ‘PS-1150’ 
             
             
                 
                 
               (U.S. Plant Pat. 
               (U.S. Plant Pat. 
             
             
               Characteristic 
               ‘PS-5096’ 
               No.   9,903) 
               No.   10,780) 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Length at maturity 
               35.5 
               37.3 
               38.1 
             
             
               (cm) 
             
             
               Position relative to 
               Level with to 
               Beneath to 
               Above 
             
             
               foliage 
               above 
               level with 
             
             
               Pubescence 
               Weak 
               Medium 
               Medium 
             
             
               Anthocyanin intensity 
               Light 
               Light 
               Moderate 
             
             
               Attitude at first pick 
               Prostrate to 
               Prostrate to 
               Prostrate to 
             
             
                 
               erect 
               erect 
               erect 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   
     
       
         
             
           
             
               TABLE 7 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
             
               FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
          
             
                 
                 
               ‘PS-592’ 
               ‘PS-1150’ 
             
             
                 
                 
               (U.S. Plant Pat. 
               (U.S. Plant Pat. 
             
             
               Characteristic 
               ‘PS-5096’ 
               No.   9,903) 
               No.   10,780) 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Petal color 
               N9.5/90.0% R 
               N9.5/90.0% R 
               N9.5/90.0% R 
             
             
                 
               to 
               to 
               to 
             
             
                 
               N9.25/84.2% R 
               N9.25/84.2% R 
               N9.25/84.2% R 
             
             
                 
               White 
               White 
               White 
             
             
               Corolla diameter (mm) 
               28.0 
               30.6 
               30.5 
             
             
               Calyx diameter (mm) 
               32.0 
               38.8 
               34.0 
             
             
               Petal length (mm) 
               11.0 
               12.1 
               12.5 
             
             
               Petal width (mm) 
               10.1 
               11.5 
               10.8 
             
             
               Petal length/width 
               1.09 
               1.05 
               1.15 
             
             
               ratio 
             
             
               Petals/flower 
               6.0 
               6.0 
               6.2 
             
             
               Sepal length (mm) 
               12.8 
               15.7 
               13.1 
             
             
               Sepal width (mm) 
               4.8 
               6.2 
               5.4 
             
             
               Sepal length/width 
               2.69 
               2.54 
               2.42 
             
             
               ratio 
             
             
               Sepals/flower 
               12.1 
               11.9 
               12.4 
             
             
               Size of calyx relative 
               Larger 
               Larger 
               Larger 
             
             
               to corolla 
             
             
               Size of inner calyx 
               Same 
               Smaller to 
               Smaller to 
             
             
               relative to outer calyx 
                 
               same 
               same 
             
             
               Relative position of 
               Overlapping 
               Overlapping 
               Overlapping 
             
             
               petals 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   
     
       
         
             
           
             
               TABLE 8 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
             
               PEST AND DISEASE REACTIONS 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
          
             
                 
                 
               ‘PS-592’ 
               ‘PS-1150’ 
             
             
                 
                 
               (U.S. Plant Pat. 
               (U.S. Plant Pat. 
             
             
               Characteristic 
               ‘PS-5096’ 
               No.   9,903) 
               No.   10,780) 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Two spotted spider mite 
               Moderately 
               Moderately 
               Moderately 
             
             
                 
               susceptible 
               susceptible 
               susceptible 
             
             
               Lygus bug 
               Susceptible 
               Susceptible 
               Susceptible 
             
             
               Flower thrips 
               Moderately 
               Moderately 
               Moderately 
             
             
                 
               susceptible 
               susceptible 
               susceptible 
             
             
               Powdery mildew 
               Moderately 
               Moderately 
               Moderately 
             
             
                 
               susceptible 
               susceptible 
               susceptible 
             
             
               Botrytis fruit rot 
               Moderately 
               Moderately 
               Moderately 
             
             
                 
               susceptible 
               susceptible 
               susceptible 
             
             
               Angular leaf spot 
               Moderately 
               Moderately 
               Moderately 
             
             
                 
               susceptible 
               susceptible 
               susceptible 
             
             
               Virus complex 
               Unknown 
               Unknown 
               Unknown