USPP37269P2

USPP37269P2 - Strawberry plant named ‘SB_17_116-071’

Info

Publication number: USPP37269P2
Application number: US19/271,574
Authority: US
Inventors: Kendra M. Gray-Jones
Original assignee: Plant Sciences Genetics Inc
Current assignee: Plant Sciences Genetics Inc
Priority date: 2025-07-16
Filing date: 2025-07-16
Publication date: 2026-02-17
Anticipated expiration: 2045-07-16

Abstract

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘SB_17_116-071’. This new strawberry plant named ‘SB_17_116-071’ is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of West Central Florida, and is primarily characterized by achenes set even with the surface of the fruit; vigorous plant habit; high marketable yield; early time of first flower and fruit; and large berry size.

Description

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Fragaria ananassa.

Variety denomination: ‘SB_17_116-071’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety named ‘SB_17_116-071’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made in 2017 in an ongoing breeding program between the unreleased, unpatented strawberry breeding selection designated ‘SB_14_221-069’ as the seed (female) parent, and the unreleased, unpatented strawberry breeding selection designated ‘SB_11_139-050’ as the pollen (male) parent. The variety is botanically known as Fragaria ananassa.

The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was selected from a controlled breeding plot in Hillsborough County, Florida in the fall/winter of 2018-2019. After its selection, the new variety was 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 in Hillsborough County, Florida. 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

‘SB_17_116-071’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of West Central Florida. The subtropical climate of West Central Florida provides the day length and moderate temperatures needed to produce an early yielding, vigorous plant and maintain fruit quality during the fall and winter production months.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘SB_17_116-071’, which in combination distinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

- 1. Achenes typically set even with the surface of the fruit;
- 2. Vigorous plant habit;
- 3. High marketable yield;
- 4. Early time of first flower and fruit; and
- 5. Large berry size.

‘Florida Brilliance’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,564) is currently the dominant strawberry variety in Hillsborough County, Florida. The fruits of ‘SB_17_116-071’ are similar in firmness to ‘Florida Brilliance’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,564), but the fruit color of ‘Florida Brilliance’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,564) is slightly lighter than the fruits of ‘SB_17_116-071’ and the seeds are positioned lower than the seeds of ‘SB_17_116-071’. The plants of ‘SB_17_116-071’ are similar in vigor to ‘Florida Brilliance’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,564), but has a less open architecture and greater uniformity than ‘Florida Brilliance’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,564). In side-by-side comparisons from the 2024-2025 season (Dec. 5, 2024 to Mar. 15, 2025), ‘SB_17_116-071’ compares with ‘Florida Brilliance’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,564) in the following combination of characteristics as described in Table 1.

TABLE 1

		‘Florida Brilliance’
		(U.S. Plant Pat.
Characteristic	‘SB_17_116-071’	No. 30,564)

Early marketable yield	106	47
(Dec.) (gm/plt)
Season marketable yield	364	323
(gm/plt)
Season average berry size	22.3	21.8
(gm)
Plant: Vigor	Strong	Strong

For identification, a series of molecular markers have been determined for this new variety.

‘SB_17_116-071’ compares with its parents, ‘SB_14_221-069’ (unpatented) and ‘SB_11_139-050’ (unpatented), by the following combination of characteristics as described in Tables 2 and 3.

TABLE 2

		‘SB_14_221-069’
Characteristic	‘SB_17_116-071’	(unpatented)

Fruit: size	Large	Large
2024/2025 Season	364	431
marketable yield (gm/plt)
Fruit: Seed position	Even	Below
Plant: Vigor	Strong	Moderately Strong

TABLE 3

		‘SB_11_139-050’
Characteristic	‘SB_17_116-071’	(unpatented)

Fruit: size	Large	Very Large
Fruit: marketable yield	High	High
Fruit: color	Medium red	Light orange
Plant: vigor	Strong	Moderately Strong

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new strawberry variety ‘SB_17_116-071’ 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 descriptions which accurately describe the color of ‘SB_17_116-071’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new strawberry variety ‘SB_17_116-071’ are approximately four months old. The photographs were taken in Hillsborough County, Florida.

FIG. 1 shows typical fruiting field characteristics of ‘SB_17_116-071’, taken in the month of March 2025;

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of a typical plant of ‘SB_17_116-071’, taken in the month of February 2025;

FIG. 3 shows typical mature and immature field fruit of ‘SB_17_116-071’, taken in the month of March 2025; and

FIG. 4 shows typical internal and external mature fruit characteristics of ‘SB_17_116-071’, taken in the month of March 2025.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new variety ‘SB_17_116-071’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety ‘SB_17_116-071’ may vary in detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type and location. In addition, the characteristics of any parental variety or comparison variety included in Table 1 of the present invention 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 ‘SB_17_116-071’, unless otherwise noted, are based on observations taken during the 2022-2023 growing season in Hillsborough County, Florida. These measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘SB_17_116-071’ dug from a high-elevation nursery located in Siskiyou County, California during mid-September 2024 and planted approximately one month later in Hillsborough County, Florida. The planting date was significantly delayed due to a series of hurricanes across Florida during the month of October 2024. The approximate age of the observed plants is four to five months. Yield observations including average weight and marketable yield, along with fruit quality characteristic, were measured during the 2024-2025 growing season. Flower measurements and characteristics are from secondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruit characteristics and measurements are from secondary fruit, unless otherwise noted.

Where noted, color terminology follows The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, London, Sixth Edition (2019 Reprint).

The following characteristics describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage, fruiting truss, flower, reproductive organs and pest and disease characteristics of the new strawberry ‘SB_17_116-071’.

Fruit characteristics:
- - Color of mature fruit.—RHS N45A (red group).
  - Average length (cm).—3.9.
  - Average width (cm).—3.3.
  - Size.—Large.
  - Average length/width ratio.—1.2 (slightly longer than broad).
  - Average calyx diameter (cm).—4.6.
  - Season average weight (gm).—22.3.
  - Achene color, shaded side.—RHS 153A (yellow-green group).
  - Achene color, sun-exposed side.—RHS N153D (yellow-green group).
  - Average achenes per berry.—324.
  - Average achene length (mm).—1.8.
  - Average achene width (mm).—0.9.
  - Season marketable yield (gm/plant).—364.
  - Predominant shape.—Conical.
  - Difference in shape between primary and secondary fruit.—Moderate.
  - Band without achenes.—Ranges from absent to very narrow.
  - Evenness of surface.—Even or very slightly uneven.
  - Evenness of color.—Even or very slightly uneven.
  - Glossiness.—Medium.
  - Insertion of achenes.—Even with surface.
  - Position of calyx attachment.—Inserted.
  - Attitude of sepals.—Ranges from outward to downward.
  - Size of calyx in relation to fruit diameter.—Much larger.
  - Adherence of calyx (when fully ripe).—Medium.
  - Firmness of flesh (gf).—695.
  - Distribution of red color of the flesh.—Marginal and central.
  - Hollow center expression.—Moderate.
  - Time of first flowering.—Early (late-October in Hillsborough County, Florida).
  - Flowering season.—October-February.
  - Time of first fruit.—Early (late-November in Hillsborough County, Florida).
  - Fruiting season.—December-March.
  - Post-harvest fruit longevity.—9-11 days, if stored according to industry standards.
  - Type of bearing.—Not remontant.
Plant characteristics:
- - Average height (cm).—19.0.
  - Average spread (cm).—31.0.
  - Size.—Ranges from medium to Large.
  - Habit.—Semi-upright.
  - Density.—Medium.
  - Vigor.—Strong.
Terminal leaflet characteristics:
- - Color of upper surface.—RHS 147A (yellow-green group).
  - Color of underside.—RHS 146B (yellow-green group).
  - Average length (cm).—8.6.
  - Average width (cm).—8.5.
  - Average area terminal (cm ²).—72.7.
  - Average length/width ratio.—1.0 (as long as broad).
  - Shape of base.—Obtuse.
  - Margins (shape of teeth).—Serrate to crenate.
  - Average serrations per leaf.—18.5.
Foliage characteristics:
- - Color of upper surface.—RHS 147A (yellow-green group).
  - Color of underside.—RHS 146B (green group).
  - Number of leaflets.—3.
  - Leaf size.—Large.
  - Average length (cm).—12.8.
  - Average width (cm).—16.0.
  - Average area foliage (cm ²).—203.4.
  - Shape in cross section.—Slightly Concave.
  - Texture/interveinal blistering.—Light to Medium.
  - Leaf glossiness.—Medium.
  - Leaf variegation.—Absent.
  - Venation pattern.—Pinnate.
  - Apex descriptor.—Obtuse.
Petiole characteristics:
- - Petiole color.—RHS 146B (yellow-green group).
  - Average length (cm).—14.9.
  - Average diameter (mm).—4.2.
  - Petiolule color.—RHS 146B (yellow-green group).
  - Petiolule average length (mm).—8.8.
  - Average petiolule diameter (mm).—2.3.
  - Attitude of hairs.—Outward.
  - Texture.—Moderate.
  - Frequency of bract leaflets.—40%.
  - Size of bract leaflets.—Very small.
  - Pubescence.—Moderate.
Stipule characteristics:
- - Color.—RHS 145A (yellow-green group).
  - Anthocyanin coloration.—RHS 181C (greyed-red group).
  - Anthocyanin intensity.—Light.
  - Average length (mm).—43.3.
  - Average width (mm).—11.93.
  - Base descriptor.—Truncate.
  - Apex descriptor.—Obtuse.
  - Shape.—Triangular.
  - Margin.—Smooth.
  - Texture.—Moderate to Smooth.
Fruiting truss characteristics:
- - Anthocyanin coloration.—NN137A.
  - Anthocyanin intensity.—138B.
  - Pubescence.—Medium.
  - Attitude at first pick.—Prostrate.
  - Position relative to foliage.—Ranges from level with to below.
  - Flower quantity (average per plant season long).—46.
  - Pedicel attitude of hairs.—Slightly outward.
  - Average pedicel length (cm).—9.0.
  - Average pedicel diameter (mm).—3.02.
  - Pedicel texture.—Moderate to Smooth.
  - Pedicel color.—RHS 143B (yellow-green group).
  - Average peduncle length (cm).—12.
  - Average peduncle diameter (mm).—3.7.
  - Peduncle texture.—Moderate to Smooth.
  - Peduncle color.—145B (yellow-green group).
Flower characteristics:
- - Flower bud shape.—Pyriform.
  - Average flower bud length (mm).—15.1.
  - Average flower bud diameter (mm).—9.3.
  - Flower bud color.—RHS 143C (green group).
  - Upper petal color.—RHS NN155C (white group).
  - Lower petal color.—RHS NN155D (white group).
  - Petal shape.—Orbicular.
  - Petal apex descriptor.—Obtuse.
  - Petal margin.—Smooth.
  - Petal base.—Decurrent.
  - Petal texture.—Smooth.
  - Relative position of petals (flowers with 5 or 6 petals).—Overlapping.
  - Upper sepal color.—RHS 137A (green group).
  - Lower sepal color.—RHS 137D (green group).
  - Sepal shape.—Cuneate.
  - Sepal apex descriptor.—Obtuse.
  - Sepal margin.—Serrate.
  - Sepal texture.—Smooth.
Reproductive organs:
- - Receptacle color.—RHS 146D (yellow-green group).
  - Pollen color.—RHS 13A (yellow group).
  - Stamen.—Present.
  - Filament color.—RHS 157A (green-white group).
  - Anther shape.—Ovoid.
  - Anther color.—RHS 21A (yellow-orange color).
  - Average pistils per flower.—324.
  - Pistil length (mm).—0.5-1.5.
  - Style length (mm).—0.5 to 1.
  - Style color.—RHS 3C (yellow group).
  - Stigma diameter (mm).—<0.1.
  - Stigma shape.—Simple.
  - Ovary color.—RHS 1C (green-yellow group).
  - Pollen amount.—Abundant.
Disease and post reactions:
- - Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum).—Resistant.
  - Phytophthora crown rot (Phytophthora cactorum).—Susceptible.

Claims

I claim:

1. A new and distinct strawberry plant named ‘SB_17_116-071’, as herein described and illustrated.