U.S. patent number PP24,876 [Application Number 13/651,214] was granted by the patent office on 2014-09-16 for blueberry plant named `bb07-210fl-18`.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Berry Blue, LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is Berry Blue, LLC. Invention is credited to James F. Hancock, Edmund J. Wheeler.
United States Patent |
PP24,876 |
Wheeler , et al. |
September 16, 2014 |
Blueberry plant named `BB07-210FL-18`
Abstract
A new and distinct cultivar of blueberry plant named
`BB07-210FL-18` as described and shown herein. `BB07-210FL-18` is a
new and distinct low chill tetraploid Southern highbush blueberry
(Vaccinium) variety of complex ancestry, based largely on V.
corymbosum, V. ashei, and V. darrowii, with a limited contribution
from V. tenellum and V. fuscatum. It is a productive early season
ripening variety with high quality fresh market characteristics and
is intended for areas which successfully grow lower chill Southern
highbush varieties. The flavor is very good with a balance of
medium amounts of sweetness and acidity. Berries have a crunchy and
juicy texture with medium storage ability of 2 to 3 weeks.
Inventors: |
Wheeler; Edmund J. (Holland,
MI), Hancock; James F. (East Lansing, MI) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Berry Blue, LLC |
Grand Junction |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Berry Blue, LLC (Grand
Junction, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
50476741 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/651,214 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2012 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20140109264 P1 |
Apr 17, 2014 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
PLT/157 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01H
5/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01H
5/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;PLT/157 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Para; Annette
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Graybeal Jackson LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A new and distinct cultivar of Blueberry plant named
`BB07-210FL-18` as described and shown herein.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
Blueberries are a well-known fruit enjoyed by many throughout the
world. One example of an existing, patented blueberry variety is
Star, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,675. Another example of an existing,
patented blueberry variety is Emerald, U.S. Plant Pat. No.
12,165.
Compared to Star, the maturity of the present cultivar,
`BB07-210FL-18`, is earlier by 5-7 days; new canes are green color
compared to yellowish for Star; and, `BB07-210FL-18` has a larger
berry with rounder shape, more consistent sizing throughout the
harvest season, and a slightly sweeter tasting berry.
Compared to Emerald, the maturity of `BB07-210FL-18` is earlier by
10 days; the bush shape is more upright with a less brushy habit;
and the berry has a lighter blue colored, more rounded shape. Also,
the harvest season is more concentrated than Emerald.
The present cultivar, `BB07-210FL-18`, provides one or more
advantages compared to these and/or other blueberry varieties such
as one or more of an early maturity and more easily harvested
blueberry.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS
FIG. 1 is a photograph taken in April-May 2012 of the Blueberry
cultivar `BB07-210FL-18`, showing mature leaves and their
coloration, venation, petioles and slightly visible serration of
leaf margin.
FIG. 2 is a photograph taken in May 2012 of the Blueberry cultivar
`BB07-210FL-18`, showing a 4 year old bush at 50% ripened fruit,
and also showing the bush shape, branching habit, ripe and unripe
fruit size, color and shape, fruit presentation and fruit cluster
density.
FIG. 3 is a photograph taken in May 2012 of the Blueberry cultivar
`BB07-210FL-18`, showing a close-up of a fruit cluster showing ripe
and unripe fruit, size, shape, color of fruit, pedicel attachment,
cluster density, leaf shape, venation, color.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Note: statements of characteristics herein represent exemplary
observations of the cultivar herein and will vary depending on time
of year, location, annual weather, etc. Where dimensions, sizes,
colors, and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood
that such characteristics are approximations and averages. The
descriptions reported herein are largely from specimen plants grown
near Interlachen, Fla. Data were obtained on plants that were 5
years old. Cultivar name: `BB07-210FL-18`. Classification:
Family.--Ericaceae. Botanical name.--Vaccinium corymbosum. Common
name.--Blueberry. Parentage: Female parent.--Name: Springhigh (FL
91-226 unpatented.times.Southmoon U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,834). U.S.
Plant Pat. No. 16,404. Compared to Springhigh, `BB07-210FL-18` has
a wider leaf width, lighter leaf color, wider corolla opening, and
a lighter color of style. `BB07-210FL-18` averages fewer flowers
per cluster, wider and less tall berry shape, different color of
ripe berry with and without bloom, more pronounced calyx shape and
size. The mean date of first harvest is 10 days later. Male
parent.--Name: Springwide (FL83-132 unpatented.times.Sharpblue
unpatented). U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,333. Compared to Springwide,
`BB07-210FL-18` has a more upright bush shape with fewer mature
canes, slightly longer, wider leaf, blooms 10 days earlier, berry
harvest more concentrated and mean 50% ripe date is 10 days later,
slightly smaller berry, more loose berry cluster.
`BB07-210FL-18` was first asexually propagated by softwood
cuttings. For example, softwood cuttings were first taken and
rooted in the spring of 2009 in Grand Junction, Mich., and have
been propagated several times since in succeeding years. All
propagated plants have retained the original characteristics.
Softwood cuttings root readily as do microshoots from tissue
culture.
All field observations were made in Spring 2012 on a 5-year old
individual plant located in a seedling plot near Interlachen, Fla.
Laboratory analysis of fruit characteristics were done in Grand
Junction, Mich.
General comments: `BB07-210FL-18` is a new and distinct low chill
tetraploid Southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium) variety of
complex ancestry, based largely on V. corymbosum, V. ashei, and V.
darrowii, with a limited contribution from V. tenellum and V.
fuscatum. It is a productive early season ripening variety with
high quality fresh market characteristics. It is intended for areas
which successfully grow lower chill Southern highbush varieties.
Winter chilling requirements for successful flowering and leafing
are approximately 200-300 hours (<7.degree. C.). Plants of
`BB07-210FL-18` are medium upright with modest growth of primary
canes and laterals. Flowering and leafing are synchronous.
Flowering is early (northern Florida) and may require frost
protection for successful pollination. Plant vigor is very good and
does not appear to be overly susceptible to foliar and soil
diseases if normal horticultural practices are followed. Its
berries are well exposed, very large with a small and dry picking
scar, excellent medium blue color with a medium amount of bloom,
which is modestly maintained during handling. The flavor is very
good with a balance of medium amounts of sweetness and acidity.
Berries have a crunchy and juicy texture with medium storage
ability of 2 to 3 weeks. Thus, `BB07-210FL-18` provides an early
maturing variety with a concentrated harvest, and very large berry
size with excellent eating qualities.
References to color refer to The Pantone Book of Color, Eisemann
and Herbert, Harry N. Abrams, Inc. Publishers, New York, ISBN
0-8109-3711-5, 1990.
The Device used to take color readings was a SpectraMagic NX Model
CR410, Konica Minolta, Japan.
Morphological characteristics reference: Plant Systematics, Jones
and Luchsinger, 2 Ed., McGraw Hill, New York, ISBN 0-07-032796-3,
1986.
Firmness readings--BioWorks FirmTec2, Wamena, Kans. Average size
information: General description of `BB07-210FL-18`.--Medium large
bush, medium upright, 5-year plant 144 cm height, 70 cm width,
height/width ratio 2:1. Growth.--Very good. Productivity.--Very
good. Cold hardiness.--Leaf and flower buds -5.degree. C., open
flowers and fruit -2.degree. C. Specific features of the variety:
Plant: Growth habit.--Medium upright. Plant width.--70 cm at
mid-bush. Plant height.--144 cm. Spread.--Canopy 90 cm.
Productivity.--4-5 lbs per mature bush. Cold
hardiness/tolerance.--Leaf and flower beds -5.degree. C., flowers
and fruit -2.degree. C. Chilling requirement.--200-300 hours below
7.degree. C. Canes.--Modestly branched, average 6 canes/bush, 45-60
cm length, medium number of laterals. Mature cane color -- Pantone
Feather Gray, 15-1305, texture -- medium rough. Fruiting
wood.--Smooth, immature winter color -- Pantone Baked Apple
18-1648; immature summer color -- Pantone Tarragon 15-0326;
Internode length range 15-20 mm; width 6 mm. Surface texture of new
wood.--Smooth. Mature canes.--Circular, width 22 mm. Time of
beginning of leaf bud burst (include location(s)).--February 2
(Interlachen, Fla.). Time of beginning of flowering (include
location(s)).--January 25 (Interlachen, Fla.). Time of fruit
ripening (include location(s)).--April 15 (Interlachen, Fla.).
Disease resistance/susceptibility.--None known. Foliage: Leaf
color.--Upper -- Pantone Chive 19-0323, Lower -- Pantone Peridot
17-0336. Leaf arrangement.--Alternate. Shape.--Elliptic. Leaf
margins.--Slightly serrated. Leaf venation.--Pinnate. Leaf
apices.--Acuminate. Leaf bases.--Cuneate. Vein and petiole
colouration.--Pantone Herbal Garden 15-0336. Petiole length.--3 mm.
Leaf dimensions.--Overall shape: 70 mm-82 mm, average 74 mm. Width:
46 mm-53 mm, average 51 mm. Leaf margins.--Slightly serrated; no
pubescence or nectaries. Leaf surface.--Smooth upper and lower, no
pubescence. Flower: Flower shape.--Urceolate. Flower bud
number.--Medium high. Flowers per cluster.--6-7. Flower
fragrance.--Lightly floral. Corolla color.--Pantone Chalk 12-2902.
Corolla length.--8 mm. Corolla aperture width.--7 mm. Flower
peduncle.--Length 11 mm. Color.--Pantone Herbal Garden 15-0336.
Flower pedicel.--3 mm. Color.--Pantone Willow 16-0632. Calyx (with
sepals).--2 mm. Color.--Pantone Willow 16-0632. Stamen.--Length:
6-7 mm. Number per flower.--10. Filament color.--Pantone Peach
Bloom 15-1327. Style.--8 mm from top of ovary to stigma tip.
Color.--Pantone Straw 13-0922. Pistil.--8 mm. Ovary color.--NA.
Anther.--Length: 4 mm. Number.--10/flower. Color.--Pantone Peach
Bloom 15-1327. Pollen: Abundance.--Medium high. Color.--Pantone
Golden Cream 13-0939. Fruit: Date of 50% maturity.--April 15
(Interlachen, Fla.). Yield.--4-5 lbs/bush. Berry color.--With wax:
Pantone Purple Cloud 16-3919, SpectraMagic (L,a,b) 40.25, 1.69,
-1.97. With wax removed: Pantone Purple Velvet 19-3725. Berry flesh
color.--Pantone Frozen Dew 13-0513. Berry surface wax
abundance.--Medium, moderately persistent. Calyx.--Width -- 7 mm;
depth -- 2 mm; shape -- 5 lobed with pronounced ridges. Berry
weight.--2.5 grams/berry. Berry size diameter.--20 mm width, 12 mm
height, Aspect (H/W) -- 0.7. Berry shape.--Oblate. Fruit stem
scar.--Medium small, dry, 2 mm. Cluster density.--Medium loose.
Detachment force.--Medium. Self-fruitfulness.--Poor, will need
cross pollination for maximum yield and size. Berry firmness.--Very
firm, FirmTec 2 score -- 242 g/mm.sup.2. Berry sweetness.--Medium,
Brix .degree. 9.2. Berry acidity.--Medium: TA -- 0.63. Berry flavor
and texture.--Very good and balanced, juicy and crunchy texture.
Suitability for mechanical harvesting.--Bush shape, berry firmness,
and detachment appear good for mechanical harvesting. Seed: Seed
abundance in fruit.--Medium (10-25 seeds/fruit). Seed
color.--Pantone Baked Clay 18-1441. Seed dry weight.--NA. Seed
size.--Medium, 1-1.5 mm/seed. Possible typical market uses: Fresh
market, processing into jams, puree, yogurt. Storage quality:
Medium, 2-3 weeks in refrigerated storage.
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