Malling Centenary

Strawberry

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Darselect', 'Vivaldi', 'Cupid' and 'Deluxe'

Summary: The margin of the terminal leaflet of 'Malling Centenary' is serrate to crenate whereas that of 'Darselect' and 'Vivaldi' is serrate. 'Malling Centenary' begins fruiting early in the season whereas 'Cupid' begins fruiting mid to late in the season. The fruit of 'Malling Centenary' is moderately longer than it is wide whereas the fruit of 'Deluxe' is moderately shorter than it is wide.

Description:

PLANT: fruit bearing is not remontant type, semi-upright growth habit, medium to dense foliage, strong vigour

STOLON: medium number, medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, medium density of pubescence

PETIOLE: medium to long, horizontal attitude of hairs
STIPULE: medium to strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration
LEAF: large, dark green on upper side, strong degree of blistering, strong glossiness on upper side, no variegation
TERMINAL LEAFLET: moderately longer than wide, obtuse base, serrate to crenate margin, concave shape in cross-section

FLOWERING: begins mid-season
INFLORESCENCE: positioned at same level as foliage, few flowers
PEDICEL: slightly outwards attitude of hairs
FLOWER: calyx larger in relation to corolla, medium sized diameter, stamen present
PETALS: overlapping, length is equal to width, white on inner side

CALYX: attachment is raised above surface of fruit, outwards attitude of sepals, same diameter as fruit, medium to strong adherence to fruit
FRUIT: moderately longer than wide, large, conical shape, very slight to slight difference in shape between terminal fruit and other fruit, narrow to medium width of band without achenes
FRUIT SURFACE: medium red, slightly uneven colour distribution, strong glossiness, even or very slightly uneven
ACHENES: inserted level with fruit surface
FRUIT FLESH: firm, medium red, medium red core, absent or small cavity
FRUIT RIPENING: begins early

Origin & Breeding History: 'Malling Centenary' (experimental designation 'EM1764') originated from a controlled cross conducted at the National Institute of Agricultural Botany, East Malling Research, in East Malling, Kent, United Kingdom. The cross was made in 2005 between 'SDBL102', as the female parent, and 'EM1315', as the male parent. An initial assessment and selection of the resulting progeny was conducted in 2006 and 'Malling Centenary' was selected as a single plant, based on fruit size, firmness, uniform shape and flavour. 'Malling Centenary' was first propagated by the rooting of runner plants in July 2006 in East Malling, Kent, United Kingdom.

Tests & Trials: The detailed description of 'Malling Centenary' is based on the UPOV report of Technical Examination, CPVO reference number 20121246, grant number 40671, purchased from the CPVO, Angers, France. The trials were conducted by the Bundessortenamt at the Prüfstelle Wurzen Testing station in Germany from 2013 to 2014.

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Strawberry: 'Malling Centenary'

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Strawberry: 'Malling Centenary'