Patent Publication Number: US-PP32222-P3

Title: Strawberry plant named ‘CIVRH621’

Description:
Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed:  Fragaria  x  ananassa.    
     Variety denomination: ‘CIVRH621’. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety named ‘CIVRH621’. 
     The new strawberry ‘CIVRH621’ is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor(s), Leis Michelangelo and Martinelli Alessio, in San Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy. The objective of the breeding program is to develop new everbearer strawberry varieties with high chill requirement, rustic plants with robust and efficient root systems and good tolerance to diseases. Plants show resistance to mildew and are suitable for organic cultivation. Select fruits with very pleasant organoleptic characteristic and ideal balance between sweetness and acidity. 
     This new strawberry ‘CIVRH621’ is a result of a controlled cross made by the inventors in 2011, in San Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy. The female or seed parent is the not released selection of Consorzio Italiano Vivaisti named 3H1F-11. The male or pollen parent is the not released selection of Consorzio Italiano Vivaisti named S7V9-9. 
     The new strawberry ‘CIVRH621’ was discovered and selected by the inventors as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in 2013 in San Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy. After its selection, the new variety was asexually propagated by stolons in a nursery located in San Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy. The new variety was tested over the next several years at Consorzio Italiano Vivaisti in San Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy and in different European areas with high chill conditions. This propagation has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     ‘CIVRH621’ is an everbearer variety with high chill requirement. 
     The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘CIVRH621’, which in combination distinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:
         1. everbearer variety with high chill requirement;   2. rustic plant resistance to mildew with good tolerance to root system disease;   3. robust and efficient root system;   4. very high productivity, long and constant through the season;   5. bright red color, attractive and uniform; and   6. easy and fast fruit picking.       

     Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new strawberry variety ‘CIVRH621’ is the patented strawberry variety Murano. Plants of the new strawberry variety ‘CIVRH621’ differ from plants of strawberry variety ‘Murano’ in the characteristics described in Table 2: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Characteristic 
                 ‘CIVRH621’ 
                 ‘MURANO’ 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Fruit: attitude of sepal 
                 Downwards 
                 Outwards 
               
               
                   
                 Terminal leaflet: shape in 
                 Straight 
                 Concave 
               
               
                   
                 cross 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Plant: vigor 
                 Strong 
                 Medium to strong 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS 
       The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new strawberry variety ‘CIVRH621’, 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 ‘CIVRH621’. 
       The depicted plant and plant parts of the new strawberry variety ‘CIVRH621’ were taken in San Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy, and are approximately 3 to 5 months old. 
         FIG. 1  shows typical plant of ‘CIVRH621’; 
         FIG. 2  shows typical flowers of ‘CIVRH621’; 
         FIG. 3  shows typical leaves of ‘CIVRH621’; 
         FIG. 4  shows typical fruits of ‘CIVRH621’. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION 
     ‘CIVRH621’ 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 observations, measurements and values describe the new strawberry variety ‘CIVRH621’, unless otherwise noted, taken during the 2018 growing season in San Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy. The observations, measurements and values were taken from plants of ‘CIVRH621’ dug from a low-elevation nursery located in San Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy, during 2018 and planted approximately 4 months later in San Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy. Plants of the new strawberry variety ‘CIVRH621’ were grown under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. 
     Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from 2 years of data collected from the 2017 through 2018 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 references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 2001, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately 10:00 A.M. in San Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara), Italy. The approximate age of the observed plants is 3 to 5 months. 
     The following tables 3-9 describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage, fruiting truss, flower and pest/disease characteristics of the new strawberry ‘CIVRH621’. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 Characteristic 
                 ‘CIVRH621’ 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Color of mature fruit 
                 Red (45A red group) 
               
               
                 Color of internal flesh 
                 Orange red (32A orange-red group) 
               
               
                 Length (cm) 
                 Average 4.1 cm 
               
               
                 Width (cm) 
                 Average 4.4 cm 
               
               
                 Ratio length/width 
                 0.95 
               
               
                 Calyx diameter (cm) 
                 Average 3.2 cm 
               
               
                 Average weight (gm) 
                 Average 21.8 gm in 2018 
               
               
                 Achene color 
                 Yellow (1A green-yellow group) 
               
               
                 Number of achenes 
                 Average 9.5 achenes/cm 2   
               
               
                 per cm 2   
                   
               
               
                 Marketable yield (gm/pit) 
                 Average 900-1100 gm/plt 
               
               
                 Size 
                 Large 
               
               
                 Predominant shape 
                 Conical 
               
               
                 Difference in shape 
                 None or very slight 
               
               
                 between primary and 
                   
               
               
                 secondary fruit 
                   
               
               
                 Band without achenes 
                 Absent 
               
               
                 Unevenness of surface 
                 Even or very slightly uneven 
               
               
                 Evenness of color 
                 Even or very slightly uneven 
               
               
                 Glossiness 
                 Strong 
               
               
                 Insertion of achenes 
                 Level with the surface 
               
               
                 Insertion of calyx 
                 Level with the surface 
               
               
                 Attitude of the calyx 
                 Outward 
               
               
                 Size of calyx in relation to  
                 Slightly smaller 
               
               
                 fruit diameter 
                   
               
               
                 Adherence of calyx 
                 Very strong 
               
               
                 Firmness of skin 
                 Firm 
               
               
                 Firmness of flesh 
                 Firm 
               
               
                 Distribution of red color 
                 Marginal 
               
               
                 of the flesh 
                   
               
               
                 Hollow center expression 
                 Absent or small 
               
               
                 Flavor 
                 Very good flavor with a balanced  
               
               
                   
                 sugar-acid ratio 
               
               
                 Soluble solids (% brix) 
                 8.6° Brix 
               
               
                 Time of first flowering 
                 Early 
               
               
                 Time of first harvesting 
                 Early (first picking the 30 th  of May 2019  
               
               
                   
                 in San Giuseppe di Comacchio, Ferrara, Italy) 
               
               
                 Harvest period 
                 From the end of May to October 
               
               
                 Type of bearing 
                 Day neutral 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 PLANT CHARACTERISTICS 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Characteristic 
                 ‘CIVRH621’ 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Height (cm) 
                 Average 30 cm 
               
               
                   
                 Spread (cm) 
                 Average 38 cm 
               
               
                   
                 Size 
                 Medium 
               
               
                   
                 Habit 
                 Upright 
               
               
                   
                 Density 
                 Dense 
               
               
                   
                 Vigor 
                 Medium 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 STOLON CHARACTERISTICS 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 Characteristic 
                 ‘CIVRH621’ 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Average number per plant 
                 About 15 stolons/mother plant in our nursery  
               
               
                   
                 in San Giuseppe di Comacchio (Ferrara) Italy 
               
               
                 Anthocyanin coloration 
                 Purple (184A greyed-purple group) 
               
               
                 Anthocyanin intensity 
                 Weak to medium. The anthocyanin coloration  
               
               
                   
                 is present in the apical part of the stolon. 
               
               
                 Diameter at bract (mm) 
                 Average 4.1 mm 
               
               
                 Pubescence 
                 Medium 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Characteristic 
                 ‘CIVRH621’ 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Foliage: 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Color of upper surface 
                 Green (137A green group) 
               
               
                   
                 Color of underside 
                 Green (137C green group) 
               
               
                   
                 Shape in cross section 
                 Concave 
               
               
                   
                 Interveinal blistering 
                 Medium 
               
               
                   
                 Glossiness 
                 Medium 
               
               
                   
                 Number of leaflets 
                 Three (3) 
               
               
                   
                 Terminal Leaflet: 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Length (cm) 
                 Average 11.5 cm 
               
               
                   
                 Width (cm) 
                 Average 9 cm 
               
               
                   
                 Length/width ratio 
                 1.2 
               
               
                   
                 Serrations/leaf 
                 Free to touching 
               
               
                   
                 Size 
                 Medium 
               
               
                   
                 Shape of base 
                 Acute 
               
               
                   
                 Shape of teeth 
                 Serrate to crenate 
               
               
                   
                 Petiole: 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Length (cm) 
                 Average 18.8 cm 
               
               
                   
                 Diameter (mm) 
                 Average 4.8 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Petiolule length (mm) 
                 Average 6.1 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Pubescence 
                 Weak 
               
               
                   
                 Attitude of hairs 
                 Upwards 
               
               
                   
                 Stipule: 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Length (mm) 
                 Average 17.8 cm 
               
               
                   
                 Width (mm) 
                 Average 8.9 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Anthocyanin coloration 
                 Weak 
               
               
                   
                 Color 
                 Red-purple (59C red-purple group) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 7 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 FRUITING TRUSS CHARACTERISTICS 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Characteristic 
                 ‘CIVRF1621’ 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Length (cm) 
                 Average 28 cm 
               
               
                   
                 Position relative to foliage 
                 Above the foliage 
               
               
                   
                 Pubescence 
                 Strong 
               
               
                   
                 Anthocyanin intensity 
                 None to very light 
               
               
                   
                 Attitude at first pick 
                 Outwards 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 8 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Characteristic 
                 ‘CIVRH621’ 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Petal color 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Mature (upper) 
                 White (155 D white group) 
               
               
                   
                 Mature (lower) 
                 White (155 D white group) 
               
               
                   
                 Petal shape 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Overall 
                 Rounded 
               
               
                   
                 Apex 
                 Rounded 
               
               
                   
                 Base 
                 Straight 
               
               
                   
                 Petal length (mm) 
                 Average 12.6 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Petal width (mm) 
                 Average 11.5 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Petal length/width ratio 
                 1.09 
               
               
                   
                 Number of petals/flower 
                 About 7 to 8 
               
               
                   
                 Sepals color 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Mature (upper) 
                 Green (141 B green group) 
               
               
                   
                 Mature (lower) 
                 Green (144 A green group) 
               
               
                   
                 Sepal shape 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Overall 
                 Narrow-elliptic 
               
               
                   
                 Apex 
                 Pointed 
               
               
                   
                 Base 
                 Narrow 
               
               
                   
                 Sepal length (mm) 
                 Average 10.6 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Sepal width (mm) 
                 Average 4.7 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Sepal length/width ratio 
                 2.6 
               
               
                   
                 Number of sepals/flower 
                 About 15 
               
               
                   
                 Corolla diameter (mm) 
                 Average 33.2 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Calyx diameter (mm) 
                 Average 33.5 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Size of calyx relative to 
                 Same size 
               
               
                   
                 corolla 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Relative position of petals 
                 Touching to overlapping 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 9 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   PEST AND DISEASE REACTIONS 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 The ‘CIVRH621’ variety has been tested for several  
               
               
                 years and it has demostrated good 
               
               
                 tolerance to diseases of the root system and resistance to mildew.