U.S. patent number PP29,879 [Application Number 15/731,025] was granted by the patent office on 2018-11-27 for blueberry plant named `gumbo`.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture. The grantee listed for this patent is The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture. Invention is credited to Arlen D. Draper, Stephen J. Stringer.
United States Patent |
PP29,879 |
Stringer , et al. |
November 27, 2018 |
Blueberry plant named `Gumbo`
Abstract
The most distinctive features of the southern highbush blueberry
`Gumbo` are its early ripening, high yield, excellent fruit quality
attributes, and excellent plant vigor under field and high density
growth conditions.
Inventors: |
Stringer; Stephen J. (Picayune,
MS), Draper; Arlen D. (Payson, AZ) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of
Agriculture |
Washington |
DC |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
The United States of America, as
Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture (Washington,
DC)
|
Family
ID: |
63709774 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/731,025 |
Filed: |
April 7, 2017 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20180295760 P1 |
Oct 11, 2018 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
PLT/157 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01H
6/368 (20180501) |
Current International
Class: |
A01H
5/08 (20180101); A01H 6/36 (20180101) |
Field of
Search: |
;PLT/157 |
Primary Examiner: McCormick Ewoldt; Susan
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fado; John Atkinson; Ariel
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A new and distinct cultivar of southern highbush blueberry
plant, substantially as illustrated and described herein.
Description
Latin name of genus and species of the plant claimed: `Gumbo` is a
new blueberry plant that is a Vaccinium spp. Hybrid.
Variety denomination: The new blueberry plant claimed is of the
cultivar denomination `Gumbo`.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and distinct hybrid of
southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium Sp. hybrid.) known as
Vaccinium Sp. Hybrid. and herein referred to as `Gumbo`, as herein
described and illustrated.
`Gumbo (Tested as MS 1377) originated from a cross of `Cara's
Choice` (Ehlenfeldt et al., 2005) X MS 6 made in 2000 in
Poplarville, Miss. `Cara's Choice` was derived from the cross of G
144 (northern highbush, NH) X US 165. US 165 is a complex species
hybrid (southern highbush, SH) resulting from crosses among V.
corymbosum selections and cultivars (both northern and southern
highbush), V. darrowii, V. constablaei, and several V. virgatum
(Rabbiteye, RE) selections and cultivars. MS 6 originated from a
cross of F-72 (Wareham x Pioneer) x `Berkeley` and `Sharpeblue (NH
and SH). Hence, the name `Gumbo` was chosen to reflect the diverse
combinations of both southern and northern blueberry species
contributing to the genetic makeup of this new cultivar. `Gumbo`
was selected in 2003 by S. J. Stringer and A. D. Draper from the
blueberry seedling nursery in Poplarville, Miss., and were
subsequently propagated. `Gumbo` was established in replicated
field planting in Perkinston, Miss. in 2005 and McNeill, Miss., in
2009 along with other elite clones and cultivars and was
subsequently evaluated by both S. J. Stringer and A. D. Draper.
`Gumbo` differs from its female parent `Cara's Choice` in that its
growth habit is more upright than that of `Cara's Choice`.
Additionally, it flowers approximately 8-10 days earlier and ripens
about the same. Berries of `Gumbo` have an average weight of over 2
grams which is a relative increase of approximately 20-25% over
that of `Cara's Choice`, and measurements of berry firmness for
`Gumbo` are also greater than `Cara's Choice` by a similar
magnitude, 217 g/mm vs 159 g/mm (rate of force required to compress
berries).
`Gumbo` has been asexually propagated on many occasions since 2003
by both hard wood and softwood cuttings at Poplarville, Miss. It
roots readily from softwood cuttings and in all cases the clones
propagated from cuttings have maintained the vegetative and fruit
characteristics of the original selection.
`Gumbo` has been primarily compared with the current early southern
highbush standard `Star` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,675) and `Santa
Fe` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,788) grown under field conditions at
Perkinston, Miss. over an 8 year period.
Over the eight year period of 2009 to 2016, the date of
approximately 50% flowering of `Gumbo` was an average of about 6
and 1 days later than `Star` and `Santa Fe`, respectively while the
average date of approximately 50% fruit ripening of `Gumbo was
about 8 and 5 days later, respectively, than these same cultivars.
During the same time period, subjective comparisons were made
annually on several plant and berry attributes using a scale of
1-10 with 10 being the most desirable; average ratings of cropping
(productivity) for `Gumbo` were 7.4, while those for `Santa Fe` and
`Star` were 6.6 and 6.7, respectively. Plant vigor ratings were 8.1
for both `Gumbo` and `Santa Fe`, and 7.5 for `Star`. `Gumbo` had an
average berry color rating of 8.2 while both `Santa Fe` and `Star`
had average berry color ratings of 7.8. Berry picking scar values
were similar for all cultivars: `Gumbo` and `Santa Fe` were 8.0 and
`Star` was 7.9. Berry flavor was also similar for all cultivars:
8.0 for `Gumbo`, 7.9 for `Santa Fe`, and 7.8 for `Star`. Laboratory
evaluations provided empirical data comparing several fruit quality
parameters. The average berry size of `Gumbo` and `Star` was
approximately 2.1 grams while `Santa Fe` was approximately 1.6
grams. pH values for `Gumbo` berries averaged 3.11 while both
`Santa Fe` and `Star` had an average pH of 3.3. Soluble solids
content (Brix.sup.0) for `Gumbo`, `Star`, and `Santa Fe` were
approximately 11.6, 12.5 and 12.5 respectively. Firmness values
were 217.8 g/mm for `Gumbo`, 249.3 g/mm for `Santa Fe` and 220.6
for `Star` while % splitting of berries (percentage of split
berries following 24 hour distilled water soaking) was 0.6 for
`Gumbo`, 23.0 for `Santa Fe`, and 0.0 for `Star`.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing
characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal
horticultural practices in Mississippi. `Gumbo` is an early-mid
season southern highbush blueberry having highly favorable fruit
attributes, especially size, color, scar, and resistance to
splitting. It is precocious, has excellent plant vigor, and is
moderately-high yielding. It has chilling requirements similar to
other early-mid season southern highbush cultivars, in the range of
350-400 hours.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS
FIG. 1 shows a four year old `Gumbo` plant and berries during
ripening in May of 2014.
FIG. 2 shows ripening berry clusters in May of 2014.
The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by
conventional photographic procedures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR
The following is a detailed description of the botanical and
pomological characteristics of the subject blueberry, `Gumbo`. This
description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color
designations, color descriptions and other phenotypical
descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions
depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic and
cultural conditions. `Gumbo` has not been observed under all
possible environmental conditions. Color terminology follows The
Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart. London (R.H.S.) (4.sup.th
edition, 2001),
The descriptions reported herein are from four- to five-year-old
specimens grown in McNeill, Miss. in soil amended with pine bark
and with supplemental irrigation. The plants used for these
observations were planted in 2011, and descriptive data were
collected in 2015 and 2016.
PLANT
Size: Height.--Approximately 1.4 to 1.8 m by about 4 years of age.
Four year-old `Gumbo` plants in South Mississippi reach a height of
1.3 to 1.6 m at the center of the plant. Width at the base or
crown.--Approximately 0.3 to 0.4 m. Width at the top of the
bush.--Approximately 0.9 to 1.1 m. Growth habit: Moderately
spreading with several canes arising from the crown. Growth: Very
high vigor. Grows moderately well in in heavy Coastal plains soils
where many southern highbush blueberry cultivars die out after 3
years. Productivity: Medium in plants gown in soils amended in
soils with pine bark and supplemental irrigation. Hardiness:
Similar to other southern highbush cultivars like `Star` and `Santa
Fe`. Chilling requirements: Approximately 350-400 hours of
temperature at or below 45.degree. F. (about 7.degree. C.) to
induce normal leafing and flowering during the spring. Leafing:
Plants readily break numerous leaf buds simultaneously with
flowering. Canes: Canes 3 years old and older can be 11 to 18 mm in
diameter. Color is Grey Brown 198B. 2 year old wood is 6 to eight
mm in diameter, color is Yellow-Green 153D. Current season shoot is
2 to 3 mm in diameter, color is Yellow-Green 153D. Surface
texture.--Canes less than 3 years old are smooth. Canes 3-4 years
old can become rough with some growth fissures and flaking bark. As
canes become older, they become nearly smooth again. Diseases: More
tolerant to septoria leaf spot than `Star` and `Santa Fe`.
FOLIAGE
Leaf color: Healthy mature leaves. Top side.--About Green 137A.
Under side.--About Yellow-Green 147C. Leaf arrangement: Alternate,
simple. Leaf shape: Elliptic. Leaf margins: Nearly entire, slightly
crenate near base. Leaf venation: Reticulate. Vein color.--About
yellow-green 153A. Leaf apices: Acuminate. Leaf bases: Acute to
acuminate. Leaf dimensions: Length.--53 to 71 mm. Width.--24 to 34
mm. Leaf surface: Smooth with moderate wax. Petioles: Small.
Length.--Approximately 3.0 to 4.5 mm. Color.--About Yellow-Green
152D.
FLOWERS
Date of 50% anthesis: March 17 (8 year average in south MS).
Blooming or flowering season for `Gumbo` begins around March
3.sup.rd (10%) in south Mississippi, reaching 50% bloom on March
17.sup.th on average. Plants are 90% or more in bloom by March
27.sup.th. Flower shape: Urceolate. Flower bud number: Medium to
High. Flowers per cluster: Approximately 5 to 8. Flower fragrance:
Yes. `Gumbo` flowers have a slight rose to fruity fragrance if
stored in an enclosed plastic bag for 15 minutes after harvesting
the blossoms. Corolla: Color.--About White 155D open flower.
Length.--Approximately 8.5 to 9.5 mm. Width.--Approximately 6.8 to
7.0 mm. Aperture width.--Approximately 3.0 to 4.2 mm. Flower
peduncle: Length.--Approximately 8 to 10 mm. Color.--About
Yellow-Green 145B. Flower pedicle: Length.--Approximately 3-4 mm.
Color.--About Yellow-Green 145B. Calyx (with sepals):
Diameter.--5.0 to 5.5 mm; color Green 137B. Stamen.--Length 6.5 to
7.0 mm; number per flower 10; color yellow-green 145 C.
Style.--Length 8.0 to 9.0 mm; color Yellow-Green 145A.
Pistil.--Length 11.0 to 12.0 mm; ovary color (exterior) Green 137D.
Anther.--Length 4.0 to 4.5 mm; number 10; color Greyed-Orange 167A.
Pollen.--Abundance -- Medium; color Yellow-Orange 14D. The cultivar
has a low to moderate degree of self-compatibility. It should be
grown with another cultivar such as `Star` (U.S. Plant Pat. No.
10,675) or `Santa Fe` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,788).
FRUIT
Date of 50% maturity: May 22 (year average in south MS). In south
Mississippi, `Gumbo` on average has 10% ripe berries on May 11th,
50% on May 22.sup.nd, and 90% ripe berries by Jun 1.sup.st. Fruit
development period: Fruit development period 60 to 65 days. Berry
color: With Wax Violet-Blue 97C; with wax removed greyed-Purple
187A to Black 202A. Berry surface wax abundance: High. Berry flesh
color: Yellow-green 145C to Green-White 157A. Berry weight:
1.sup.st harvest 2.1 to 2.5 g; 2.sup.nd harvest 1.6 to 2.2 g. Berry
shape: `Gumbo` berry shape is nearly spherical. Fruit stem scar:
Small, dry, no tearing. Berry firmness: Good. Berry flower and
texture: Mild flavor, excellent texture. Storage quality: Good to
very good. Suitability for mechanical harvesting: Unknown, but
berries are readily removed from pedicels by hand with gentle
force. Uses: Primarily used as fresh fruit for shipping. Seed: Seed
abundance in fruit.--Low to medium. Seed color.--Greyed-Orange
165B. Seed dry weight.--48 mg per 100 seed. Seed size.--Length 1.0
to 1.3 mm for fully developed seeds.
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