Patent Publication Number: US-PP16228-P3

Title: Strawberry plant named ‘Albion’

Description:
Genus and species: The strawberry cultivar of this invention is botanically identified as  Fragaria×ananassa Duch.    
   Variety denomination: The variety denomination is ‘Albion’. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   ‘Albion’ originated from a cross performed in 1997 between the cultivar ‘Diamante’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,435) and advanced selection Cal 94.16-1. ‘Albion’ was first fruited at the University of California Wolfskill Experimental Orchard, near Winters, Calif. in 1998, where it was selected, originally designated Cal 97.117-3, and propagated asexually by runners. Following selection and during testing, the plant was originally designated ‘CN220’, and subsequently has been named ‘Albion’ for introduction. 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 1999. The properties of this variety were found to be transmissible by such asexual reproduction. The cultivar is stable and reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a new and distinctive day-neutral type cultivar designated as ‘Albion’. ‘Albion’ is a day-neutral (everbearing) cultivar similar to ‘Diamante’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,435), but with higher quality fruit, lower cull rate, darker fruit, and substantially better resistance to  Phytophthora cactorum;  it is similar to ‘Aromas’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,451), but with larger, higher quality, firmer and better-flavored fruit. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The figures depict various characteristics of the ‘Albion’ cultivar. 
       FIG. 1  shows the general flowering and fruiting characteristics of plants in a field planting. 
       FIG. 2  shows rows of typical fruiting plants. 
       FIG. 3  shows a typical leaf at mid-season. 
       FIG. 4  shows representative mid-season fruit. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a new and distinctive day-neutral type cultivar designated as ‘Albion’. ‘Albion’ is typical of day-neutral strawberry cultivars and produces fruit regardless of day length when treated appropriately in arid, subtropical climates. ‘Albion’ is moderate to weak in expressing the day-neutral character, being comparable to slightly more day-neutral than ‘Diamante’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,435), 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 ‘Albion’ is similar to that for ‘Diamante’, although it is somewhat later to reach peak fruiting with most cultural treatments. ‘Albion’ will be of special interest for winter plantings and in summer plantings where ‘Diamante’ and ‘Aromas’ have been successful. 
   ‘Albion’ has the following characteristics relative to parent 94.16-1. The 94.16-1 cultivar is a short-day or June-bearing genotype, whereas Albion is day-neutral. Albion has larger and more uniform sized fruit than 94.16-1, its fruit is substantially firmer, and better flavored. The fruit shape of 94.16-1 tends towards a short but symmetrical conic shape; Albion fruit has a long conical shape. Albion has substantially more even external fruit color, whereas 94.16-1 tends to be mottled during some portions of the season. 
   Plants and foliage: Fruiting plants of ‘Albion’ are similar in morphology to ‘Diamante’ although slightly more erect and more open; ‘Albion’ plants are substantially more open and erect than ‘Aromas’ plants. Comparative statistics for foliar characters near mid-season are given for ‘Albion’ and the two comparison cultivars in Table 1. Individual leaflets for ‘Albion’ are smaller than for ‘Aromas’ or ‘Diamante’, and somewhat less rounded than for ‘Diamante’. Leaves (including petioles) for ‘Albion’ are shorter than those for the comparison cultivars, mostly due to shorter 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 ‘Albion’ are similar in color to ‘Aromas’ and ‘Diamante’ leaves at mid season, but tend to remain darker and less yellow than those of either comparison cultivar late in the harvest season. Leaves of ‘Albion’ have consistently less concavity than ‘Aromas’, and are similar in form to ‘Diamante’, with more, and usually more rounded serrations than the comparison cultivars. 
   
     
       
         
             
           
             
               TABLE 1 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
             
               Foliar characteristics for ‘Albion’, ‘Aromas’, and ‘Diamante’. 
             
          
         
         
             
             
          
             
               Foliar 
               Cultivar 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
          
             
               Character 
               ‘Aromas’ 
               ‘Diamante’ 
               ‘Albion’ 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Plant height (mm) 
                 
                 
                 
             
             
               mean 
               257 
               231 
               252 
             
             
               range 
               230-330 
               160-275 
               210-270 
             
             
               Plant spread 
             
             
               (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               318 
               357 
               341 
             
             
               range 
               241-382 
               292-419 
               304-394 
             
             
               Mid-tier leaflet 
             
             
               Length (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
                92 
                77 
                73 
             
             
               range 
                67-100 
                55-110 
               50-95 
             
             
               Width (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
                74 
                81 
                68 
             
             
               range 
               65-85 
                55-110 
               50-95 
             
             
               Mid-tier leaf 
             
             
               Length (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               253 
               215 
               185 
             
             
               range 
               172-305 
               169-290 
               153-223 
             
             
               Width (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               156 
               149 
               135 
             
             
               range 
               135-200 
                90-210 
               105-170 
             
             
               Leaf components 
             
             
               Petiole length 
             
             
               (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               154 
               126 
               105 
             
             
               range 
               100-225 
                92-170 
                70-130 
             
             
               Petiole diameter 
             
             
               (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               3.6 
                3.7 
                4.1 
             
             
               range 
               3.0-4.2 
               3.0-4.8 
               3.7-4.6 
             
             
               Petiolule length 
             
             
               (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               7.2 
               11.4 
                7.4 
             
             
               range 
                7-12 
                8-15 
                5-10 
             
             
               # leaflets/leaf 
                3 
                3 
                3 
             
             
               Leaf convexity 
               some flat, most 
               some flat, most 
               some flat, most 
             
             
                 
               slight concave 
               slight concave 
               slight concave 
             
             
               Serrations 
             
             
               number/leaf 
               65.1  
               63.1 
               71.8 
             
             
               range 
               57-71 
               45-72 
               55-87 
             
             
               shape 
               semi-pointed 
               semi-pointed 
               semi-pointed 
             
             
               Leaf pubescence 
               moderate 
               very light 
               light-moderate 
             
             
               Petiole 
             
             
               pubescence 
             
             
               density 
               moderate 
               moderate to heavy 
               heavy 
             
             
               direction 
               perpendicular 
               perpendicular to 
               perpendicular 
             
             
                 
                 
               slightly acropetal 
             
             
               Petiole color 
               5GY 6/8 
               5GY 6/8 
               5GY 7/10 
             
             
               (Munsell) 
                 
               5GY 7/10 
             
             
               Stipule length 
             
             
               (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               26.9  
               26.5 
               23.3 
             
             
               range 
               25-31 
               20-35 
               14-34 
             
             
               Stipule color 
             
             
               core 
               5GY 6/8 
               5GY 6/8 
               5GY 6/8 
             
             
               margins 
               2.5R 7/8 
               2.5R 6/11 
               2.5R 7/8 
             
             
               Stolons per 
               30.3  
               24.4 
               22.5 
             
             
               nursery mother 
             
             
               plant 
             
             
               Venation 
               pinnate 
               pinnate 
               pinnate 
             
             
               pattern 
             
             
               color 
               2.5GY 6/8 
               2.5GY 6/8 
               2.5GY 6/8 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   Flowering, fruiting, fruit, and production characteristics: ‘Albion’ is similar to other California day-neutral cultivars (e.g., ‘Diamante’ and ‘Aromas’) 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 the three cultivars in Table 2. The primary flowers for ‘Albion’ are similar in size to ‘Diamante’ and larger than those of ‘Aromas’; the sepals are similar in length to both comparison cultivars, but intermediate in width. The calyx for ‘Albion’ varies in position but is more frequently slightly necked than either comparison cultivar; each primary flower has 5-8 petals. 
   The habit is semi-erect to prostrate, usually semi-erect. The relative position of the inflorescence to the leaves is exposed, or above the foliage. 
   
     
       
         
             
           
             
               TABLE 2 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
             
               Flower and fruit characters for ‘Albion’, ‘Diamante’, and ‘Aromas’. 
             
          
         
         
             
             
          
             
                 
               Cultivar 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
          
             
               Character 
               ‘Aromas’ 
               ‘Diamante’ 
               ‘Albion’ 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Petal number 
                 
                 
                 
             
             
               mean 
                5.7 
                5.4 
                6.0 
             
             
               range 
               5-7 
               5-6 
               5-8 
             
             
               Petal shape 
             
             
               apex 
               truncate to 
               truncate to 
               truncate to 
             
             
                 
               slightly obtuse 
               slightly obtuse 
               slightly obtuse 
             
             
               base 
               attenuate 
               attenuate 
               attenuate 
             
             
               margin 
               entire 
               entire 
               entire 
             
             
               Petal length 
             
             
               (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               13.8 
               13.4 
               12.7 
             
             
               range 
               12-16 
               11-17 
               11-15 
             
             
               Petal width 
             
             
               (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               13.6 
               13.2 
               12.6 
             
             
               range 
               11-16 
               12-15 
               11-14 
             
             
               Flower position 
               most even 
               most even 
               most exposed, 
             
             
               (relative to 
               some internal 
               some internal and 
               some even 
             
             
               foliage) 
                 
               exposed 
             
             
               Calyx diam. 
             
             
               (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               28.6 
               35.2 
               35.8 
             
             
               range 
               27-30 
               24-40 
               30-39 
             
             
               Corolla diam. 
             
             
               (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               26.3 
               28.8 
               27.0 
             
             
               range 
               23-28 
               21-34 
               25-30 
             
             
               Sepal length 
             
             
               (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               15.8 
               19.1 
               18.5 
             
             
               range 
               15-19 
               13-25 
               14-24 
             
             
               Sepal width 
             
             
               (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
                5.8 
                9.5 
                7.1 
             
             
               range 
               4-8 
                7-16 
               5-9 
             
             
               Sepal color 
               5GY 5/6 
               5GY 5/6 
               7.5GY 4/4 
             
             
               (Munsell) 
             
             
               Pedicel length 
             
             
               (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               129.5  
               148.2  
               113.0  
             
             
               range 
               110-160 
               110-180 
               83-190 
             
             
               Pedicel 
             
             
               diameter (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
                2.4 
                2.3 
                2.9 
             
             
               range 
               1.9-3.3 
               1.8-2.7 
               2.2-3.5 
             
             
               Pedicel color 
               5GY 6/8 
               2.5GY 6/8 
               5GY 6/8 
             
             
               Fruit shape 
             
             
               Fruit length 
             
             
               (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               48.4 
               53.5 
               60.6 
             
             
               range 
               45-57 
               45-60 
               55-75 
             
             
               Fruit width 
             
             
               (mm) 
             
             
               mean 
               43.7 
               51.1 
               49.7 
             
             
               range 
               35-50 
               45-60 
               45-55 
             
             
               Length/width 
             
             
               ratio 
                1.1 
                1.0 
                1.2 
             
             
               range 
               0.9-1.3 
               0.9-1.3 
               1.1-1.4 
             
             
               subjective 
               mostly medium to 
               rounded to flat 
               most long 
             
             
                 
               short rounded 
               conic 
               symmetrical conic 
             
             
                 
               conic 
             
             
               Calyx position 
               even to indented 
               even to indented 
               even to 
             
             
               Seed position 
               even to indented 
               mostly indented, 
               slight neck 
             
             
                 
                 
               some even 
               mostly indented, 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               some even 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   The fruit shape for ‘Albion’ can vary but is typically a long and symmetrical conic, and is easily distinguished from ‘Aromas’ (shortened and rounded conic) or ‘Diamante’ (rounded and occasionally flattened conic); ‘Albion’ usually has a greater proportion of symmetrical fruit than either comparison cultivar. External and internal fruit color for ‘Albion’ is darker than for ‘Diamante’ and slightly lighter than for ‘Aromas’ with substantially greater red color (Table 3). Achenes vary from yellow to dark red (Table 3), and are even with the fruit surface or slightly indented. The mean number of achenes per berry is 440.8 (range of 330-548). The average berry weight is 33 grams (Table 4). The adherence of the calyx to the fruit is medium. The hollow portion of the fruit interior generally ranges from about 0-15%, subjectively, and is variable with culture and season. 
   ‘Albion’ is substantially sweeter than ‘Diamante’ throughout the season, but has moderate acid levels as well. Average brix was 8.5 and average acidity was 0.74 for two evaluations performed on two dates in 2003. 
   Secondary fruit is similar in shape to primary fruit and is generally about 75%, subjectively, of the size, although this is variable through the season and with culture conditions. Calyx for secondary fruit can vary from slightly larger than the berry to slightly smaller, depending on the season. 
   
     
       
         
             
           
             
               TABLE 3 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
             
               Foliar and fruit color characteristics for 
             
             
               ‘Albion’, ‘Aromas’, and ‘Diamante’. 
             
          
         
         
             
             
          
             
                 
               Cultivar 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
          
             
               Color Character 
               ‘Aromas’ 
               ‘Diamante’ 
               ‘Albion’ 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Leaf color (CIELAB) 
                 
                 
                 
             
             
               Adaxial 
             
             
               L* 
             
             
               mean 
               32.7 
               32.4 
               32.7 
             
             
               range 
               31.1-34.2 
               29.9-35.8 
               31.5-34.1 
             
             
               a* 
             
             
               mean 
               −7.0 
               −8.1 
               −7.4 
             
             
               range 
               −5.8-−8.2 
                −7.3-−10.2 
               −6.3-−8.1 
             
             
               b* 
             
             
               mean 
               11.8 
               12.0 
               11.7 
             
             
               range 
                9.6-14.0 
                9.1-13.9 
               10.4-13.1 
             
             
               Munsell 
               2.5GY 3/3 
               10GY 3/2 
               5GY 3/2 
             
             
               Abaxial 
             
             
               L* 
             
             
               mean 
               52.3 
               50.7 
               49.1 
             
             
               range 
               34.1-52.3 
               48.3-52.4 
               48.6-52.1 
             
             
               a* 
             
             
               mean 
               −8.3 
               −9.0 
               −8.8 
             
             
               range 
               −6.8-−8.8 
               −8.4-−9.5 
               −7.6-−9.2 
             
             
               b* 
             
             
               mean 
               18.1 
               19.1 
               19.3 
             
             
               range 
               13.1-20.1 
               17.9-21.3 
               15.7-21.6 
             
             
               Munsell 
               5GY 5/6 
               5GY 5/6 
               5GY 5/6 
             
             
                 
               7.5GY 5/7 
             
             
               Fruit color (CIELAB) 
             
             
               External 
             
             
               L* 
             
             
               mean 
               38.1 
               43.7 
               40.0 
             
             
               range 
               36.6-41.4 
               39.5-47.4 
               34.3-44.8 
             
             
               a* 
             
             
               mean 
               39.3 
               41.7 
               41.2 
             
             
               range 
               37.3-41.2 
               35.0-46.3 
               34.8-44.2 
             
             
               b* 
             
             
               mean 
               27.2 
               32.1 
               28.4 
             
             
               range 
               21.7-32.9 
               27.0-35.9 
               20.9-36.9 
             
             
               Munsell 
               5R 3/7 
               7.5R 4/11 
               5R 3/7 
             
             
               Internal 
             
             
               L* 
             
             
               mean 
               65.1 
               68.3 
               63.2 
             
             
               range 
               56.4-70.6 
               63.7-71.1 
               56.3-64.4 
             
             
               a* 
             
             
               mean 
               31.2 
               23.9 
               31.1 
             
             
               range 
               13.3-40.3 
               15.5-30.6 
               20.1-35.9 
             
             
               b* 
             
             
               mean 
               34.5 
               29.2 
               33.1 
             
             
               range 
               17.1-41.7 
               20.3-35.9 
               24.0-35.9 
             
             
               Munsell 
               5R 4/12 
               7.5R 6/12 
               7.5R 4/11 
             
             
               Achene color 
             
             
               Munsell 
               7.5R 3/6 
               7.5R 3/6 
               7.5R 3/6 
             
             
                 
             
             
               *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.  
             
          
         
       
     
   
   ‘Albion’ has been tested under a variety of cultural regimes, and optimal performance is obtained when nursery treatments and nutritional programs similar to those for ‘Diamante’ are used. In general, ‘Albion’ is very similar in vigor to ‘Diamante’ and requires less chilling to maintain excellent fruit quality than ‘Aromas’. ‘Albion’ retains good fruit quality in summer planting systems, similar to ‘Diamante’. 
   It is possible that the phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in the environment. Phenotypic features may also vary depending on culture conditions. 
   When treated with appropriate planting regimes, ‘Albion’ has similar fruit size and produces similar individual-plant yields to ‘Diamante’; it produces less per plant but develops higher quality fruit than ‘Aromas’ (Table 4). ‘Albion’ has a similar production pattern to ‘Diamante’, although the production is less peaked and less affected by yearly variation in climate. The following is an exemplary flowering and fruiting schedule for Watsonville, Calif. These exemplary times are based on planting runners in fruiting fields during the first part of November (November 1-10). Initiation of flowering depends on the weather. It may occur as little as 6 week after planting and is typically around 3 to 4 months (February 1 to March 20). Termination of flowering is temperature dependent and day-length independent for this cultivar. From flowering to ripe fruit takes as long as 7 weeks in the short days and cool temperatures of winter, as little as 3 weeks in summer. First fruit is typically available April 1-May 15 for this example. 
   Commercial appearance ratings have been better than those for ‘Diamante’ and substantially better than those for ‘Aromas’; these superior appearance scores translate directly into a smaller fraction of non-marketable fruit than is produced by the comparison cultivars. Fruit for ‘Albion’ is substantially firmer than fruit from ‘Aromas’, slightly less firm than ‘Diamante’. Subjectively, ‘Albion’ has outstanding flavor. The fruit will be exceptional for both fresh market and processing, and will be useful for home garden purposes. 
   
     
       
         
             
           
             
               TABLE 4 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
             
               Performance of ‘Albion’, ‘Aromas’, and ‘Diamante’ evaluated at the 
             
             
               Watsonville Research Facility in 2001 and 2002. All plants for these trials 
             
             
               were harvested from Macdoel on October 15, and transplanted after 20-28 
             
             
               days supplemental storage. Harvest was initiated in early April and 
             
             
               continued through the last week of October. Late yield is that accumulated 
             
             
               after August 15 (52″ 2-row beds, 17,300 plants/acre). 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
             
             
          
             
                 
                 
               Late 
               Appearance 
               Fruit 
                 
             
             
                 
               Yield 
               Yield 
               Score 
               Size 
             
             
               Item 
               (g/plant) 
               (g/plant) 
               (5 = best) 
               (g/fruit) 
               Firmness* 
             
             
                 
             
             
               ‘Aromas’ 
               2,762 
               582 
               3.3 
               28.0 
               8.6 
             
             
               ‘Diamante’ 
               2,346 
               456 
               3.6 
               33.5 
               9.8 
             
             
               ‘Albion’ 
               2,417 
               522 
               4.0 
               33.0 
               9.3 
             
             
                 
             
             
               *Fruit firmness ratings are the amount of force in tenths of pounds required to drive a 3 mm flat probe 1 cm into a ripe fruit. This is measured with a Hunter Force Gauge.  
             
          
         
       
     
   
   Disease and pest reaction: ‘Albion’ is moderately resistant to common leaf spot ( Ramularia tulasnei ) and powdery mildew ( Sphaerotheca macularis ). It is quite resistant to  Verticillium  wilt ( Verticillium dahliae ) and  Phytophthora  crown rot ( Phytophthora cactorum ), and moderately resistant to Anthracnose crown rot ( Colletotrichum acutatum ) (Table 5). When treated properly, it has tolerance to two-spotted spider mites ( Tetranychus urticae ) equal to that for ‘Diamante’ and better than that for ‘Aromas’. ‘Albion’ is tolerant to strawberry viruses encountered in California. 
   
     
       
         
             
           
             
               TABLE 5 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
             
               Disease resistance scores for ‘Albion’, ‘Aromas’, and ‘Diamante’; 
             
             
                 Phytophthora  and  Verticillium  scores were obtained in evaluations 
             
             
               conducted in 2000-2003,  Colletotrichum  was evaluated in 2003. 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
             
             
          
             
                 
                 
               
                 Phytophthora 
               
               
                 Verticillium 
               
               
                 Colletotrichum 
               
             
             
                 
                 
               Resistance 
               Resistance 
               Resistance 
             
             
                 
                 
               Score 
               Score 
               Score 
             
             
                 
               Genotype 
               (5 = best) 
               (5 = best) 
               (5 = best) 
             
             
                 
                 
             
             
                 
               ‘Aromas’ 
               4.2 
               3.5 
               2.7 
             
             
                 
               ‘Diamante’ 
               2.4 
               2.7 
               2.6 
             
             
                 
               ‘Albion’ 
               4.9 
               3.4 
               3.1