U.S. patent number PP22,719 [Application Number 12/924,725] was granted by the patent office on 2012-05-08 for sweetpotato plant named `bonita`.
Invention is credited to Christopher A. Clark, Don R. LaBonte, Tara Smith, Arthur Q. Villordon.
United States Patent |
PP22,719 |
LaBonte , et al. |
May 8, 2012 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Sweetpotato plant named `Bonita`
Abstract
A new variety of sweetpotato identified as `Bonita` is disclosed
as having disease resistance to both southern root-knot nematode
and soil rot, a white flesh, a high dry matter content, and high
yield characteristics.
Inventors: |
LaBonte; Don R. (Baton Rouge,
LA), Villordon; Arthur Q. (Monroe, LA), Smith; Tara
(Chase, LA), Clark; Christopher A. (Baton Rouge, LA) |
Family
ID: |
45890995 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/924,725 |
Filed: |
October 4, 2010 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20120084893 P1 |
Apr 5, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
PLT/258 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01H
5/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01H
5/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;PLT/258 |
Other References
Upov Plant Variety Database 2011/03. p. 1. cited by
examiner.
|
Primary Examiner: Para; Annette
Attorney, Agent or Firm: The Carver Law Firm Carver; James
C.
Government Interests
The development of this invention was partially funded by the
Government through a grant for the United States Department of
Agriculture, USDA NIFA Grant Number NA/LAB93957. The Government may
have certain rights in this invention.
Claims
We claim:
1. A new and distinct variety of Ipomoea batatas plant named
`Bonita` as described and illustrated in the specification herein.
Description
This invention pertains to a new and distinct variety of
sweetpotato.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Sweetpotatoes, unlike Irish potatoes (Solanum tuberosum), are not
tuber propagated plants. A "tuber" is a short, thickened portion of
an underground branch. Along a tuber, "eyes" are found, each of
which comprises a ridge bearing a scale-like leaf (analogous to a
branch leaf) having minute meristematic buds in the axial of the
leaf. By contrast, sweetpotato roots are developmentally and
anatomically true roots, lacking meristematic buds, and are not
derived from an underground branch. Sweetpotatoes do not form
tubers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Genus and Species Name
This new and distinct sweetpotato variety, Ipomoea batatas (L.)
Lam., demonstrates superior disease resistance to southern
root-knot nematode, and exhibits a brighter white flesh and a drier
flesh compared to the `O'Henry` variety which represents a white
flesh mutation of `Beauregard`. It also demonstrates high yield
characteristics in comparison to `O'Henry`.
Variety Denomination
This new and distinct sweetpotato variety is identified as
`Bonita`, and is characterized by a white flesh, elliptical roots,
and drier flesh.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The file of this patent contains at least one photograph executed
in color. Copies of this patent or patent application with color
drawing(s) will be provided by the Patent and Trademark Office upon
request and payment of the necessary fee.
FIG. 1 is a color photograph of the fleshy root form of the novel
variety of sweetpotato identified as `Bonita`.
FIG. 2 is a color photograph of the fleshy root form of the
sweetpotato variety identified as `O'Henry`.
FIG. 3 is a color photograph of the canopy biomasses of the novel
variety of sweetpotato identified as `O'Henry` (shown on the left
side of the photograph) and the variety identified as `Bonita`
(shown on the right side of the photograph).
DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
This new variety of sweetpotato, named `Bonita`, resulted from an
open pollinated cross performed in 1995 to the Louisiana
Agricultural Experiment Station female parent `Excel` (not
patented). The male parent was unknown. Four patented male parents
(`L96-117` U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,038 P2; `Bienville` patented U.S.
Plant Pat. No. 15,380 P3; `Evangeline` patented U.S. Plant Pat. No.
19,710P3; `Murasaki-29` patented U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,955 P2)
were among the potential pollen sources in the crossing nursery.
All patents were held by the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment
Station in Baton Rouge, La. `Bonita` was developed by the Louisiana
Agricultural Experiment Station in Baton Rouge, La., to provide a
variety with characteristics similar to `O'Henry` (unpatented), but
with improved resistance to southern root-knot nematode, drier
flesh, higher yields, and more consistent shape. `Bonita` was
characterized by a bright white flesh with a yellow cast. The
orange flesh female parent `Excel` is unlike `Bonita` in
appearance.
Plants of `Bonita` and `O' Henry` can be distinguished by green
vines [2.5 (green) Y (yellow) 6/6] for `Bonita` versus green vines
[7.5 G (green) Y (yellow) (5/6)] for `O'Henry` and `Beauregard`.
Color terminology used herein is in accordance with the
MUNSELL.RTM. Book of Color (Munsell Color, GretagMacbeth LLC, 617
Little Britain Road, New Windsor, N.Y. 12553-6148). The color
descriptions and color illustrations are as nearly true as is
reasonably possible. However, it is understood that both color and
other phenotypic expressions described herein may vary from plant
to plant with differences in growth, environment and cultural
conditions, without any change in the genotype of the variety
`Bonita`.
`Bonita` roots were stored during the winter at the Louisiana
Agricultural Experiment Station (Sweetpotato Research Station) in
Chase, La. `Bonita` was planted the following spring, resulting in
approximately 8-10 sprouts per root. Cuttings from the sprouts were
transplanted successfully for asexual reproduction. Asexual
propagation of the new cultivar by cuttings has shown that the
unique features of this new sweetpotato were stable and that the
plant reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual
propagation. Plants described herein were approximately 90-110 days
in age from planting in full sun field plantings.
FIG. 1 depicts the fleshy root form of the `Bonita` sweetpotato.
The skin is a light tan with a pink cast which fades slightly in
storage. `O' Henry` is light tan with a yellow cast. MUNSELL.RTM.
Book of Color values for skin and flesh for both `Bonita` and `O'
Henry` storage roots after 6 months of storage are shown in Table
1. The `O' Henry` sweetpotato is depicted in FIG. 2. The skin for
both `Bonita` and `O' Henry` was smooth. `Bonita` storage roots
were elliptical without lobing, and they were not as long as `O'
Henry`. `O' Henry` also has grooving along the length of the root
and more prominent lenticels. The `Bonita` cortex was 4-5 mm in
depth. The flesh of `Bonita` is a bright white with a yellow cast
in comparison to `O' Henry` which has an orange cast.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Variable Variety Color Skin `Bonita` 10Y
(yellow) R (red) 8/6 `O'Henry` 2.5 Y (yellow) 8/6 Flesh `Bonita`
7.5 Y (yellow) 9/4 `O'Henry` 5 Y (yellow) 9/4
FIG. 3 depicts the canopy biomass of both `Bonita` sweetpotatoes
and `O' Henry` sweetpotatoes. `Bonita` has green-stemmed vines [2.5
G (green) Y (yellow) (6/6)] from the apex and then transitions to a
dark maroon [5 R (red) (3/2)] on older parts of the vines near the
crown of the roots. The `Bonita` canopy biomass appears to be
greater than that for `O' Henry`. The `Bonita` canopy architecture
was upright (28 cm in height from the soil surface) and erect prior
to spreading (365 cm radius), while `O' Henry` exhibited a
prostrate growth habit (21-22 cm in height from the soil surface).
For `Bonita`, three to four main vines arose from the main stem
near the soil surface. The stem giving rise to these vines was 2.0
cm in diameter; the 3-4 lateral vines were 180 cm in length with
diameters of about 0.6 cm at 65 cm from the base, diameters of
about 0.7 cm at the base of the vine, and diameters of about 0.6 cm
at the first internode of the first fully developed leaf from the
apex. Four to five lateral branches arose from each of the main
vines. At the first internode from the apex, the internode length
was about 3.5 cm between the first and second fully developed
leaves. Internode lengths for other sections of the vine averaged
about 4.7 cm. Unfolded immature leaves were green [2.5 G(green) Y
(yellow) (5/4)] for the upper and lower surface, which changed
slightly over one to two nodes from the upper surface [7.5 G
(green) Y (yellow) (3/4)] to light green lower surface [5 G (green)
Y (yellow) (4/6)]. Mature leaves at five nodes from the apex had an
acute apex and mostly a cordate base and a smooth leaf margin.
Mature leaves were about 10.6 cm long and 10.3 cm wide. Abaxial and
adaxial veins were green [5 G (green) Y (yellow) (5/8)]. There is a
blending of adaxial vein coloration from the red petiole [5 R (red)
(3/6)] junction for about the first 0.8 cm before becoming green at
its junction with the leaf, which quickly changed to green [5 G
(green) Y (yellow) (5/8)]. The petiole was 17 cm long at five nodes
from the apex, and 3-4 mm in diameter at 5 cm from the leaf
junction. The dormant nodal meristem also was green [5 G (green) Y
(yellow) (4/6)]. Adaxial veins of `O' Henry` have no red hues and
are green [2.5 G (green) Y (yellow)].
A typical inflorescence of `Bonita` displayed three flowers per
peduncle. Peduncles were green [2.5 G (green) Y (yellow) (6/10)],
about 3 cm long, and about 2.3 mm in diameter. Individual flowers
were about 4 cm long from the base of the calyx, and the corolla
was 3 cm wide at the opening. The fused flower petals formed a
pentagonal pattern with smooth edges. The inner throat of the
corolla appeared purple [2.5 R (red) P (purple) (3/8)]. The inner
and outer limbs of the corolla (corollas outermost area, distal
from the calyx) were very light purple [5 P (purple) (9/2)]. The
five sepals comprising the calyx were elliptic with a cordate apex
and appeared to be green [2.5 G (green) Y (yellow) (6/10)]; three
of these sepals were about 11 mm long and 5 mm wide. Two other
sepals (interspersed) were about 9 mm wide. Sepal margins were
smooth. Stigmata were about 1.2 cm long and appeared to be purple
[7.5 R (red) P (purple) (7/8)]. Four of the five stamens were
inferior to stigmata; one is slightly superior. No fragrance was
present.
EXAMPLE 1
Tests Conducted
To confirm that `Bonita` was a new variety, controlled tests (e.g.,
pathogen responses and yield) were conducted at the Louisiana
Agricultural Experiment Station in Baton Rouge, La. `Beauregard`
was selected for comparison because of its importance in commercial
United States orange flesh sweetpotato acreage. `O'Henry` is
assumed to react similarly, but it has not been tested. Diseases
that commonly affect the growth of sweetpotatoes were selected to
test for pathogen responses in both varieties. Scions of `Bonita`
and `Beauregard` reacted similarly to most diseases evaluated in
the controlled tests. `Bonita` and `Beauregard` were intermediate
to resistant for soil rot caused by Streptomyces ipomoeae (Person
& W. J. Martin) Waksman & Henrici. `Bonita` is slightly
less resistant than `Beauregard` to Fusarium wilt or stem rot
caused by Fusarium oxysporum Schlect. f. sp. batatas (Wollenw.)
Snyd. & Hans.
Nematode reproduction was measured in greenhouse tests. `Bonita`
was resistant to southern root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita
(Kofoid & White 1919) Chitwood 1949. `Beauregard` was
susceptible to southern root-knot nematode. `Bonita` was
susceptible to Rhizopus soft rot caused by Rhizopus stolonifer
(Ehr. ex. Fr.) Lind while `Beauregard` was resistant.
`Bonita` did not appear to show any novel insect resistance.
To determine yield production, complete-block trials using four
replications of `Bonita` and `O' Henry` each were conducted in 2008
and 2009 in areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama likely to
produce `Bonita`. `Bonita` and `O 'Henry` sweetpotato plants were
transplanted in randomized complete-block trials at 31 cm spacings.
Each block/plot was fertilized with approximately 250 pounds per
acre of a mixed fertilizer comprising 13% N, 13% P.sub.2O.sub.5,
and 13% K.sub.2O. `Bonita` was compared to `O' Henry` at
transplanting dates beginning in May-June. Average yields were
measured for the following grades of roots: U.S. #1 (51-89 mm in
diameter, 76-229 mm long); Canner (25-51 mm in diameter, 51-178 mm
long); and Jumbo (larger than U.S. #1 in diameter, length or both,
and without objectionable defects). A typical marketable root of
`Bonita` was 180-190 mm long, 60-70 mm in diameter, with mostly
round-elliptic in shapes. The base or distal end tended to be more
elongated in comparison to slightly rounder apex (proximal end).
U.S. #1 roots typically weighed 150-190 g.
The early transplanting date trial was conducted at Wisner, La. in
2008. `Bonita` and `O' Henry` were transplanted on May 27, 2008,
and harvested on Sep. 23, 2008 (119 days after planting). Average
yields, measured as Metric Tons per Hectare ("MTha.sup.-1), are
shown in Table 2.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Selection US#1.sup..dagger.
Canners.sup..dagger. Jumbos.sup..dagger. TMY.-
sup..dagger-dbl..dagger. `Bonita` 22.69a 8.52a 6.56a 37.82a
`O'Henry` 19.49a 9.58a 0.84a 29.86a .sup..dagger.Average yields in
MT-ha.sup.-1 of varieties followed by a common letter do not differ
significantly (P < 0.05) according to Duncan's Multiple Range
Test. TMY.sup..dagger-dbl. = total marketable yield
A second transplanting date trial was also conducted at Foley, Ala.
on May 2, 2009, and harvested on Sep. 21, 2009 (123 days after
planting). Average yields (MTha.sup.-1) by grade of `Bonita` and
`O' Henry` are shown in Table 3.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Selection US#1.sup..dagger.
Canners.sup..dagger. Jumbos.sup..dagger. TMY.-
sup..dagger-dbl..dagger. `Bonita` 28.30a 13.56a 1.63a 43.42a
`O'Henry` 16.24a 16.36a 1.23a 34.01b .sup..dagger.Average yields in
MT-ha.sup.-1 of varieties followed by a common letter do not differ
significantly (P < 0.05) according to Duncan's Multiple Range
Test. TMY.sup..dagger-dbl. = total marketable yield
A late transplanting date trial was also conducted at Bonita, La.
on Jun. 29, 2009, and harvested on Nov. 11, 2009 (136 days after
planting). Average yields (MTha.sup.-1) by grade of `Bonita` and
`O' Henry` are shown in Table 4.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Selection US#1.sup..dagger.
Canners.sup..dagger. Jumbos.sup..dagger. TMY.-
sup..dagger-dbl..dagger. `Bonita` 26.67a 17.76a 0a 44.49a `O'Henry`
18.27b 19.78a 0a 38.10a .sup..dagger.Average yields in MT-ha.sup.-1
of varieties followed by a common letter do not differ
significantly (P < 0.05) according to Duncan's Multiple Range
Test. TMY.sup..dagger-dbl. = total marketable yield
An early-season transplanting date trial was also conducted at
Vardaman, Miss. on Jun. 3, 2009, and harvested on Oct. 1, 2009 (120
days after planting). Average yields (MTha.sup.-1) by grade of
`Bonita` and `O' Henry` are shown in Table 5.
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Selection US#1.sup..dagger.
Canners.sup..dagger. Jumbos.sup..dagger. TMY.-
sup..dagger-dbl..dagger. `Bonita` 19.39a 21.63a 1.79a 50.32a
`O'Henry` 19.27a 15.68a 3.02a 40.40b .sup..dagger.Average yields in
MT-ha.sup.-1 of varieties followed by a common letter do not differ
significantly (P < 0.05) according to Duncan's Multiple Range
Test. TMY.sup..dagger-dbl. = total marketable yield
As shown in Tables 2-5, `Bonita` produced yields comparable to, and
exceeding `O' Henry` in regional trials at various planting dates.
Trials in sandy loams (Tables 3 and 4) showed `Bonita` had a higher
yield of U.S. # 1 grade in comparison to `O 'Henry`. Yield in
heavier silt loam soils were more comparable (Tables 1, 2, and 5).
Replicated plots at other farms and on station have shown `Bonita`
has consistent yields for early, middle, or late season plantings.
Yield declines are within norms in poor environments. `Bonita` had
harvestable roots approximately 110-115 days after planting, which
is typical development time for sweetpotatoes and comparable to `O'
Henry`. The yield of Jumbo grade is indicative of earliness and
`Bonita` might produce more jumbo roots under ideal conditions.
White fleshed jumbo roots have a low economic value. In National
Sweet Potato Collaborator trials, yield of `Bonita` for U.S. #1
grade exceeded `O' Henry` by over 10% in 2009 in two trials in
North Carolina, the largest U.S. production region for sweetpotato.
Yield in nine other plots in Louisiana in years 2006, 2007, and
2008 showed no significant difference in yield in comparison to the
high yield `Beauregard` variety. Yield of `Bonita` was
significantly higher in one plot in 2007 in comparison to
`Beauregard`. In total, this data reflects consistent high yield
characteristics for `Bonita`.
Sugar profiles for baked `Bonita` and `O'Henry` are shown in Table
6. For this 2009 test, roots were stored for five months after
which they were baked at 190.degree. C. for approximately 2.0 h.
Sucrose content in baked `Bonita` was twice that found in baked
`O'Henry`. `Bonita` and `O'Henry` had similar maltose content.
Total sugar content was slightly higher for `Bonita` in comparison
to `O'Henry`. `Bonita` exhibited a greater sugar profile than
`O'Henry` sweetpotatoes. A high dry matter of 28.6% makes for a
drier, flaky texture in comparison to `O' Henry` at 24.5%.
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Selection Fructose.sup..dagger-dbl.
Glucose.sup..dagger-dbl. Sucrose.sup..- dagger-dbl.
Maltose.sup..dagger-dbl. Total sugars.sup..dagger..dagger-dbl.
`Bonita` 0.76 0.96 2.92 8.41 13.05 (2009) (2009) (2009) (2009)
(2009) `O'Henry` 1.22 1.57 1.30 7.31 11.40 (2009) (2009) (2009)
(2009) (2009) .sup..dagger.Total sugars = fructose + glucose +
maltose + sucrose. .sup..dagger-dbl.mg g.sup.-1 = fresh weight
basis.
`Bonita` should be a valuable commercial sweetpotato variety.
`Bonita` produced plants (sprouts) comparable to `O' Henry`. Days
to harvest for `Bonita` were similar to `O' Henry`. `Bonita`
exhibited superior flesh color, smoother root surface, and a drier,
sweeter flesh. `Bonita` is ideally suited for production on land
infested with southern root-knot nematode and soil rot.
* * * * *