Narrative
US 159. Tested as MSUS 159, US 159 resulted from a 1982 cross in Beltsville of two anthracnose-resistant selections, LA 7525-A x US 78-1760 AN (Florida Belle x LA 2556). In 1983 in Poplarville, it was screened against a mixture of C. fragariae isolates, CF- 1, CF-4, FL-2, LA-1, CF-75, and CF-CARD. US 159 has been tested in Poplarville, Beltsville, and Bonita Springs. It transmitted anthracnose re-sistance to 55% of its progenies and is notable for its fruit yield, size, color, leaf and fruit disease tolerance, vigor, good balance of fruit characteristics, and long ripening season. US 159 may have some pollination problems in cool weather and some fruit cracking in wet weather.US 159 plants are large, medium dense, productive, and resistant to anthracnose crown rot, leaf scorch, leaf blight [Phomopsis obscurans (Ell. and Ev.) Sutton], powdery mil-dew, and two-spotted mites. Leaves are large with oblique bases, even on central leaflets; medium green with silver-green undersides and prominent venation; and rounded, with marginal serrations that are pointed and broad. Petioles are thick and lightly pubescent. From 10% to 30% of the leaves have four leaflets. Flowers have five to seven round, slightly overlapping petals; tall and concave receptacles; numerous stamens with small anthers borne on tall filaments; and 10 narrow and pointed sepals. Fruit are borne on long pedicels and have a long, irregular conic shape with prominent yellow achenes. US 159 fruit are firm, deep red outside, pink inside, and acidic. The caps vary from clasp-ing to partially reflexed.
Barbara Smith selections, Mississippi