Raspberry plant named `GRANDEUR`

Abstract

This invention relates to a new and distinct everbearing variety of raspberry plant named `GRANDEUR`. The new variety is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California and is characterized by the following: large, firm, light-red fruit of conic shape, even color, and very good flavor. Foliage is slightly concave to slightly convex, medium green; possessing very strong rugosity, and always 3-foliate. Primocanes have an absent to very weak waxy coat, medium thorn density, and medium anthocyanin coloration.

Description

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Rubus idaeus.

Variety denomination: `GRANDEUR`.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct fall bearing raspberry variety designated as `GRANDEUR`. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made in 2001 between raspberry variety `PSI-737` (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,639) and raspberry variety `PS-1509` (unpatented) in an ongoing breeding program. It is unknown as to which parent variety is the seed parent and which parent variety is the pollen parent. The variety is botanically known as Rubus idaeus.

The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was asexually propagated by dormant canes in Santa Cruz County, Calif. and was subsequently selected by the inventor from a controlled breeding plot in Watsonville, Calif. in 2003. After its selection, the new variety was further asexually propagated by dormant canes, roots and non-dormant root shoot cuttings in Santa Cruz County, Calif., San Joaquin County, Calif. and Siskiyou County, Calif. The new variety was then extensively tested over the next several years in fruiting fields in Santa Cruz County, Calif. 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

`GRANDEUR` is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the central coast of California. This region provides the necessary year-round temperatures required for it to produce and maintain a strong vigorous plant and to remain in fruit production from July through December on primocanes and in the ensuing year from May through July on the floricanes.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of `GRANDEUR`, which in combination distinguish this raspberry plant as a new and distinct variety: 1. large fruit size; 2. high fruit firmness; 3. light fruit color; 4. primocane glaucosity ranging from absent to very weak; and 5. light brown floricane color.

The new raspberry variety `GRANDEUR` differs from `PSI-737` in mature fruit color. `PSI-737` has a golden mature fruit color while the new cultivar has red mature fruit color. `PS-1509` is no longer available for comparison.

The raspberry varieties that are believed to be most closely related to the new raspberry variety `GRANDEUR` are the raspberry variety `PS-1049` (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,142), and the raspberry variety `PS-1703` (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,151). In comparison to the similar raspberry varieties `PS-1049` and `PS-1703`, `GRANDEUR` differs by the following combination of characteristics described in Table 1:

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 `PS-1049` `PS-1703` Characteristic `GRANDEUR` (US PP10,142) (US PP15,151) 1. Primocane Ranges from Strong Ranges from waxy coat absent to very medium to strong (glaucosity) weak 2. Predominate Always 3 Equal 3-5 Mostly 5 number of leaflets 3. Leaf color 7.5GY 3/4 to 3/6 7.5GY 3/4 to 4/4 7.5GY 2/4 to 3/4 (upper side) 4. Leaf shape Ranges from Slightly concave Ranges from (cross section) slightly concave slightly concave to slightly to slightly convex convex 5. Rugosity Very strong Medium Medium to strong 6. Color mature 5R 4/12 to 3/10 5R 3/6 to 3/8 5R 3/10 to 3/8 fruit Light to medium Medium red Medium red red 7. Primocane 3.5 2.7 3.0 fruit weight (g) 8. Floricane 3.6 2.5 2.7 fruit weight (g) 9. Primocane 10Y 7/4 to 7/6 5GY 7/4 to 6/4 7.5GY 6/2 to 6/4 color Medium green Light green Medium green yellow yellow yellow 10. Floricane 10YR 4/8 to 5/8 5YR 4/4 to 4/6 7.5YR 4/6 to 4/8 color Brown Brown Brown

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

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new raspberry variety, `GRANDEUR` at various stages of development as true as reasonably possible with color reproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describes the color of `GRANDEUR`. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new raspberry variety `GRANDEUR` were taken in Watsonville, Calif. and are approximately 2 to 16 months old:

FIG. 1. shows typical primocane foliage and fruit color; foliate and rugosity characteristics of `GRANDEUR` taken in the month of September 2007.

FIG. 2 shows typical floricane foliage and fruit color; foliate and rugosity characteristics of `GRANDEUR` taken in the month of May 2008;

FIG. 3 shows typical harvested fruit of `GRANDEUR` taken in the month of September 2007;

FIG. 4 shows typical dormant cane color characteristics of `GRANDEUR` taken in the month of February 2007.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

`GRANDEUR` 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 description of the new raspberry variety `GRANDEUR`, unless otherwise noted, are based upon observations taken during the 2007 2008 growing season in Watsonville, Calif. Primocane measurements and ratings were taken from plants of `GRANDEUR` dug from a nursery located in San Joaquin County, Calif. during the middle of December 2006 and planted approximately 3 to 4 weeks later in Watsonville, Calif. The approximate age of the observed primocane plants is 7 to 8 months. Floricane measurements and ratings were taken from the same planting of `GRANDEUR` at an approximate age of 16 to 18 months. Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from three years of data collected from the 2004 through 2007 production seasons. Flower measurements and characteristics are from secondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruit characteristics and measurements are from secondary fruit unless otherwise noted. Foliage characteristics and measurements are from 3-foliate foliage unless otherwise noted.

Color terminology where noted follows the Munsell Book of Colors, Munsell Color, Baltimore, Md. (1976).

The following Tables 2 6 describe fruit, plant, foliage, flower and pest/disease characteristics of the new raspberry `GRANDEUR` in comparison to the similar raspberry varieties `PS-1040` (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,142) and `PS-1703` (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,151).

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS `PS-1049` `PS-1703` Characteristic `GRANDEUR` (US PP10,142) (US PP15,151) Color mature 5R 4/12 to 3/10 5R 3/6 to 3/8 5R 3/10 to 3/8 fruit Light to medium Medium red Medium red red Color achenes 10YR 7/4 to 8/4 10YR 7/4 to 8/4 10YR 7/4 to 8/4 Fruit Length 2.2 1.9 1.9 (cm) Fruit Width 2.0 1.8 1.8 (cm) Length/Width 1.1 1.1 1.1 Ratio Slightly longer Slightly longer Slightly longer than broad than broad than broad Seed weight 1.4 1.2 1.4 (mg) Druplets per 93 100 85 berry Fruit size Large Medium Medium Predominant Conical Conical Conical shape Evenness of Even Even Even color Glossiness Medium Medium Strong Adherence of Weak Weak Weak recepticle Firmness of Very firm Very firm Firm flesh Firmness of Very firm Very firm Medium skin Soluble Solids 10.6 10.3 11.3 (% Brix) Flavor Very Good Good Excellent

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 PLANT CHARACTERISTICS `PS-1049` `PS-1703` Characteristic `GRANDEUR` (US PP10,142) US PP15,151) General: Habit Upright Sem-upright Semi-upright Size Medium Medium Medium Productivity High Medium to high High Self Yes Yes Yes fruitfulness Type of Everbearing Everbearing Everbearing bearing Primocane: Color 10Y 7/4 to 7/6 5GY 7/4 to 6/4 7.5GY 6/2 to 6/4 Medium green- Light green- Medium to light yellow yellow green-yellow Length (m) 1.5 1.8 1.6 Basal diameter 17.8 15.1 15.8 (mm) Diameter cen- 11.6 11.2 10.9 tral 1/3 (mm) Lateral length 24.4 38.8 49.0 (cm) No. fruiting 20 14 17 laterals per cane % of cane 31% 30% 46% length fruiting Internode 5.4 6.1 6.2 length at central 1/3 (cm) Anthrocyanin Medium Weak to medium Medium to strong coloration Pubescence Absent Absent Absent Length of veg- Medium Medium to short Medium to short atative bud Strength of Ranges from Strong Ranges from waxy coat absent to very medium to strong weak Time of Medium Medium Early flowering Time of Medium Medium Early fruiting Length of Long Long Long fruiting season % of total yield 43% 49% 54% Flowering Late June to Late June to Early June to period Late November Late November Late November Harvest period Late July to Late July to Early July to Late December Late December Late December Primocane fruit 3.5 2.7 3.0 weight (g) Primocane 1,979 1,711 2,228 yield (g/plant) Young Shoots: Number Medium Medium Medium Anthocyanin Present Present Present coloration Anthocyanin Weak Very weak to Weak to intensity weak medium Thorns: Color 7.5RP 3/6 7.5RP 3/6 7.5RP 3/6 Purple Purple Purple Length central 1.6 2.3 1.9 1/3 (mm) Presence on Present Present Present cane Density on Medium Medium Medium to dense cane Texture Rigid Rigid Rigid Attitude of Horizontal Horizontal Horizontal the tip Floricane: Color 10YR 4/8 to 5/8 5YR 4/4 to 4/6 7.5YR 4/6 to 4/8 Brown Brown Brown Length (m) 1.1 1.3 1.2 Length vege- Medium Medium to short Medium to short tative bud Strength of Ranges from Strong Ranges from waxy coat absent to very medium to strong (glaucosity) weak Fruiting lateral Erect to semi- Erect to semi- Horizontal to attitude erect erect drooping Time bud burst Medium Medium Medium Time of Medium Medium Medium flowering Time of Medium Medium Medium fruiting Length of Medium to long Medium to long Medium to long fruiting season % of total 57% 51% 46% yield Flowering Late April to Late April to Med April to period Late June Late June Late June Harvest period Late May to Late May to Early May to Late July Late July Late July Floricane 3.6 2.5 2.7 fruit weight (g) Floricane yield 2,832 1,955 2,012 (g/plant)

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS `PS-1049` `PS-1703` `GRANDEUR` (US PP10,142) (US PP15,151) Characteristic (3 Foliate) (3 Foliate) (5 Foliate) General: Color of upper 7.5GY 3/4 to 3/6 7.5GY 3/4 to 4/4 7.5GY 2/4 to 3/4 surface Medium green Medium green- Medium to dark yellow green Color of lower 5GY 6/2 to 7/2 5GY 5/4 to 6/4 5GY 6/2 to 7/2 surface Light to pale Pale yellow-green Light to pale grey-green grey-green Shape in cross Ranges from flat Slightly concave Ranges from section to slightly convex slightly concave to slightly convex Arrangement Compound Compound Compound Relief between Very strong Medium Medium to strong veins Glossiness Weak Weak Medium Number of Always 3 Equal 3-5 Mostly 5 leaflets/leaf Terminal Leaflet: Length (cm) 12.7 11.7 10.4 Width (cm) 9.1 9.2 5.5 Length/Width 1.4 1.3 1.9 Ratio Longer than Longer than Much longer than broad broad broad Size Medium to large Medium to large Medium to small Shape Cordate Cordate Lobed oblique Shape of base Cordate Cordate Acute Shape of tip Acuminate Acuminate Acuminate Margins Biserrate Biserrate Biserrate Lateral Leaflet: Length (cm) 10.5 10.4 9.2 Width (cm) 6.5 6.3 5.2 Rachis length 3.6 3.2 2.9 (cm) Orientation Opposite Opposite Opposite Arrangement Compound Compound Compound Shape Ovate Ovate Oblique Overlapping Touching Touching Free Shape of the Oblique rounded Oblique rounded Acute oblique base Shape of the tip Acuminate Acuminate Acuminate Margins Biserrate Biserrate Biserrate Petiole: Length (cm) 5.2 4.3 4.4 Width (mm) 3.0 2.6 2.9 Thorn presence Yes Yes Yes Thorn Erect Erect Erect orientation Anthocyanin Medium Ranges from Ranges from coloration of absent to very weak medium to strong upper surface Pigmentation Light green- Light green- Light green- of lower yellow yellow yellow surface Stipule length 0.9 1.1 0.9 (cm) Stipule Erect Erect Erect orientation

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS `PS-1049` `PS-1703` Characteristic `GRANDEUR` (US PP10,142) (US PP15,151) Petal color N 9.5/90% R to N 9.5/90% R to N 9.5/90% R to N 9.25/84.2% R N 9.25/84.2% R N 9.25/84.2% R White White White Flower 2.4 2.1 1.9 diameter (cm) Petal length 6.9 5.9 6.2 (mm) Petal width 3.1 3.0 3.0 (mm) Petal length/ 2.2 2.0 2.1 width ratio Much longer Much longer Much longer than broad than broad than broad No. petals/ 5.1 5.0 5.2 flower No. sepals/ 5.1 5.0 5.3 flower Pedicel no. Many many Medium spines Peduncle Present Present Present anthocyanin presence Peduncle Very weak Very weak Weak anthocyanin intensity

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 PEST AND DISEASE REACTIONS `PS-1049` `PS-1703` Characteristic `GRANDEUR` (US PP10,142) (US PP15,151) Two spotted spider Susceptible Susceptible Susceptible mite Grey fruit mold Susceptible Susceptible Susceptible Powdery mildew Moderately Moderately Moderately Susceptible Susceptible Susceptible Yellow rust Moderately Moderately Moderately Susceptible Susceptible Resistant

Claims

We claim:

1. A new and distinct variety of raspberry plant named `GRANDEUR`, as herein described and illustrated by the characteristics set forth above.