U.S. patent number PP17,646 [Application Number 11/244,636] was granted by the patent office on 2007-04-24 for fast-growing willow shrub named `millbrook`.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The Research Foundation of State University of New York. Invention is credited to Lawrence P. Abrahamson, Richard F. Kopp, Lawrence B. Smart, Timothy A. Volk.
United States Patent |
PP17,646 |
Abrahamson , et al. |
April 24, 2007 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Fast-growing willow shrub named `Millbrook`
Abstract
A distinct female cultivar of Salix purpurea.times.Salix
miyabeana named `Millbrook`, characterized by rapid stem growth
producing 9% more woody biomass than one of its parents (`SX64`)
and 2% more biomass than a current production cultivar (`SV1`).
`Millbrook` produced greater than 2-fold more stem biomass than two
other current production cultivars, `SX67` and `SX61`. `Millbrook`
can be planted from dormant stem cuttings, produces multiple stems
after coppice, and the stem biomass can be harvested when the plant
is dormant. In the spring following harvest, the plant will
re-sprout very vigorously, producing new stems that can be
harvested after two to four years of growth. This harvest cycle can
be repeated several times. The stem biomass can be chipped and
burned as a source of renewable energy, generating heat and/or
electricity. `Millbrook` displays a low incidence of rust
disease.
Inventors: |
Abrahamson; Lawrence P.
(Marcellus, NY), Kopp; Richard F. (Marietta, NY), Smart;
Lawrence B. (Geneva, NY), Volk; Timothy A. (Syracuse,
NY) |
Assignee: |
The Research Foundation of State
University of New York (Albany, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
37912306 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/244,636 |
Filed: |
October 6, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
PLT/216 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01H
5/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01H
5/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;PLT/216 |
Primary Examiner: Bell; Kent
Assistant Examiner: Hwu; June
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wall Marjama & Bilinski LLP
Government Interests
STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY-SPONSORED
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The invention described herein was reduced to practice during the
funding period of Contract 4000003235 (SUNY Research Foundation
Award 011275) awarded by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, managed by
UT-Batelle for the United States Department of Energy under
contract DE-AC05-00OR22725, and of agreement number 6267 (SUNY
Research Foundation Award 011536) awarded by the New York State
Energy Research and Development Authority.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is related to the following plant patent
applications, all of which are subject to assignment to the
Research Foundation of the State University of New York, and each
of which is being filed on even date herewith: "Fast-Growing Shrub
Willow" Named `Fish Creek`, application Ser. No. 11/244,988,
"Fast-Growing Shrub Willow" Named `Canastota`, application Ser. No.
11/244,986, "Fast-Growing Shrub Willow" Named `Oneida`, application
Ser. No. 11/244,975 "Fast-Growing Shrub Willow" Named `Otisco`,
application Ser. No. 11/244,987 "Fast-Growing Shrub Willow" Named
`Owasco`, application Ser. No. 11/244,842 and "Fast-Growing Shrub
Willow" Named `Tully Champion`, application Ser. No. 11/244,635.
The variety of fast-growing shrub willow named `Millbrook` was
produced in the same willow breeding program as were other
varieties, including: `Fish Creek`, `Canastota`, `Oneida`,
`Otisco`, `Owasco`, and `Tully Champion`.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A new and distinct variety of Salix purpurea.times.Salix
miyabeana plant, substantially as illustrated and described herein.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention is a new and distinct cultivar known by the varietal
name `Millbrook` resulting from the novel hybridization of Salix
purpurea with Salix miyabeana. The new variety was produced through
controlled willow breeding conducted by the inventors in Syracuse,
N.Y. The objective of the breeding program is to produce new willow
cultivars that generate high biomass yields on a variety of sites,
are resistant to diseases and pests, and possess agronomic traits
suitable for mechanical planting, harvesting, and post-harvest
processing. Shrub willow is being developed as an agricultural crop
plant that will be grown and harvested as a sustainable, renewable
source of energy. Once a field planting of shrub willows is
established, the woody stems can be harvested every three years,
and new shoots will re-sprout the following season. Repeated
harvesting every two to four years can be sustained for at least 15
years.
2. Description of Relevant Prior Art Including Information
Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97-1.99.
This new variety of Salix purpurea.times.Salix miyabeana was the
seedling progeny of the controlled pollination of the female clone
Salix purpurea `95026` by the male clone Salix miyabeana `SX64`
performed in February 1999 in Syracuse, N.Y. The plant has been
propagated repeatedly by stem cuttings and has been found to retain
its distinctive characteristics through successive propagations and
field trials. More specifically, the plant has been asexually
reproduced by collecting dormant stems during winter months,
cutting them into either 5 inch or 10 inch pieces (cuttings), then
planting those cuttings in the field in the spring or in potting
mix in a greenhouse, then transplanting the rooted cuttings to the
field.
The female parent, Salix purpurea `95026` was originally identified
in 1995 growing on the shore of a creek in Dutchess County, N.Y.
and was vegetatively propagated from stem cuttings. This female
parent, clone Salix purpurea `95026`, is distinguished by opposite
leaves that are obovate with entire margins. The variety
`Millbrook` has alternate `SX64` was originally transferred from
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to Syracuse, N.Y. in 1994 and was
vegetatively propagated from stem cuttings in Syracuse, N.Y. The
growth of the parent plants was characterized in nursery plantings.
Both parents displayed rapid stem growth and low incidence of
disease, so were chosen to serve as parents in a cross. The
seedlings produced by this cross (identification #99217) were first
established in a greenhouse, and then were transplanted to a field
in Syracuse, N.Y. This particular individual (identification
#99217-015) was selected from the family due to its exceptional
stem height growth.
The new cultivar has been grown in Syracuse, N.Y. and Tully, N.Y.,
which have a normal yearly average daily temperature of 47.degree.
F., normal daily maximum temperature in July of 82.degree. F.,
normal daily minimum temperature in January of 14.degree. F., and
average precipitation of 40 inches. The new cultivar grows from a
rooted cutting to a fully mature plant ready for harvest in
approximately three years.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The Salix purpurea.times.Salix miyabeana cultivar `Millbrook` has
not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The
phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environments such as
temperature, light intensity and length of illumination, without,
however, any variation in genotype. The new and distinct cultivar
presents the following traits that have been repeatedly observed
and are determined to be the unique characteristics of `Millbrook`.
These characteristics in combination distinguish `Millbrook` as a
new and distinct cultivar: 1. Rapid growth rate, producing 9% more
woody biomass than one of its parents (Salix miyabeana `SX64`), 2%
more biomass than one current production cultivar (Salix dasyclados
`SV1`), and more than 2-fold more biomass than two other production
cultivars (Salix miyabeana `SX67` and Salix sachalinensis `SX61`)
when grown in the same field for the same length of time (two
growing seasons after coppice) in Tully, N.Y. 2. Low incidence of
rust disease assessed in experimental trials conducted in Syracuse,
N.Y. in 2000.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The accompanying color photographs show the features of the claimed
cultivar in a manner as true as is reasonably possible. The
illustrations include:
FIG. 1.1 illustrates two-year old portion of stem collected while
dormant;
FIG. 1.2 illustrates one-year-old portion of stem collected while
dormant;
FIG. 1.3 illustrates a vegetative bud in dormancy;
FIG. 1.4 illustrates a floral bud in dormancy;
FIG. 1.5 illustrates new shoot growth from a stem cutting rooted in
soil:sand in a greenhouse;
FIG. 1.6 illustrates upper leaf surface;
FIG. 1.7 illustrates lower leaf surface;
FIG. 1.8 illustrates mature catkin; and
FIG. 1.9 illustrates pistil and densely pubescent floral bract.
FIG. 2.1 illustrates the biomass yield two years after coppice in
Tully, N.Y. as compared to other shrub willows.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT
The following detailed description sets forth characteristics of
the new plant. The following observations and measurements describe
plants grown by asexual reproduction in Syracuse, N.Y. or Tully,
N.Y. under conditions as described hereinabove. Color references
are made using The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart
(hereinafter The R.H.S. Colour Chart) of The Royal Horticultural
Society of London, England, except where general terms of ordinary
dictionary significance are used.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT
The following detailed description of the `Millbrook` variety is
based on observations from 10 inch cuttings grown in a greenhouse
in Syracuse, N.Y. Cuttings were grown in 7 inch tubes in a (1:1)
ProMix.RTM./sand (v/v) substrate under natural light from December
2004 to March 2005. Plants were irrigated with automatic misting
for 6 minutes every 2 hours five times each day. Latin name: Salix
purpurea.times.S. miyabeana. Varietal denomination: `Millbrook`.
Parentage: Female or seed parent.--S. purpurea `95026`. Male or
pollen parent.--S. miyabeana `SX64`. Propagation: Type.--Stem
cuttings. Time to rooting.--Approximately 10 days in water at
21.degree. C. Precocity: Subprecocious -- Catkins mature as leaves
begin to break bud. Plant description: The color of one-year-old
stem cuttings observed when dormant are grey orange (RHS 164C,
RHS171A), while two- to three-year-old stems are yellow-green to
pale green (RHS 153A, RHS 148D) and lustrous. Vegetative buds are
red-orange (RHS 180A), deltate, and typically 4 mm in length.
Lenticels are large, brown, and sparse. The leaves are simple and
alternate with pinnate venation. Petioles are typically 3 mm in
length and yellow-green (151D). Stipules are typically 1 mm in
length, ovate, and yellow-green (144A). Pistils, as shown in the
drawings, are typically 1 mm in length. Immature leaves have very
few hairs. Mature leaves are slightly oblanceolate, acute apex,
acute-obtuse base, typically 8.1-8.8 cm in length, 1.5-1.9 cm in
width, serrate margin, adaxial (upper) surface green (144A),
abaxial (lower) surface light pale green (143D), and stem light
green (RHS 144C) at 6 weeks of growth. The upper surface of the
leaves is glabrous, smooth, and slightly glaucous. The lower
surface of the leaves is glabrous, very light glaucous to glossy,
with apparent venation.
The average diameter of two-year old stems at a height of 1 m is
1.1 cm. The bark color of two-year old field-grown stems is
yellow-green (152A). The surface is slightly rough with shallow
longitudinal furrows.
The average plant height of a mature plant after three seasons of
growth is 5-6 m, with a spread of 1.5-2.0 m in the typical planting
spacing of 0.5 m.times.0.6 m. Flowering description: Dormant floral
buds are elongated, ovoid, acute, typically 9.5 mm in length,
slightly raised, and red (RHS 179A). Yellow-green (146A) peduncle
of catkin is typically 3.5 mm in length and bears 4-5 leafy bracts.
Catkins are curved 90.degree., typically 2.6-3.0 mm in length, and
narrowly cylindrical. Flowers have a short, round, sessile ovary
with short soft hairs, a very short style, and 2 broad stigmas.
Floral bract is densely hairy with a pink obtuse apex. Field growth
characteristics: Determined through surveys of plants growing in
the field in Tully, N.Y. and in Syracuse, N.Y. Disease resistance:
Displays a low incidence of rust disease. Temperature tolerance:
Stems typically do not suffer frost damage at temperatures as low
as 10.degree. F. and may suffer only minor tip dieback at lower
temperatures. Seed production: `Millbrook` produces only female
flowers, so viable seeds will only be produced after pollination by
a compatible male variety. This has not yet been observed in field
trials. Biomass yield: Mean dry stem biomass yield produced through
two growing seasons after coppice in each of eight four-plant plots
(`Millbrook`, 11.30 oven dry tons ha.sup.-1 yr.sup.-1) measured in
a yield trial growing in Tully, N.Y. in February 2005 was 9%
greater than the mean stem biomass yield of one of its parents
(`SX64`, 10.35 oven dry tons ha.sup.-1 yr.sup.-1) and was 2%
greater than a current production cultivar (`SV1`, 11.04 oven dry
tons ha.sup.-1 yr.sup.-1) growing in the same trial (FIG. 2.1).
`Millbrook` produced greater than 2-fold more stem biomass than two
other current production cultivars (`SX67`, 5.52 oven dry tons
ha.sup.-1 yr.sup.-1; `SX61`, 4.83 oven dry tons ha.sup.-1
yr.sup.-1) growing in the same trial (FIG. 2.1).
* * * * *