U.S. patent number PP29,423 [Application Number 14/999,570] was granted by the patent office on 2018-06-26 for almond variety named `maxima`.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Adelaide Research & Innovation Pty Ltd, Horticulture Innovation Australia Ltd. The grantee listed for this patent is ADELAIDE RESEARCH & INNOVATION PTY LTD., Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited. Invention is credited to Andrew Granger, Michelle Wirthensohn.
United States Patent |
PP29,423 |
Wirthensohn , et
al. |
June 26, 2018 |
Almond variety named `MAXIMA`
Abstract
A new and distinct almond variety of Prunus dulcis named
`MAXIMA`, particularly characterized by large kernels and very high
production. Other desirable characteristics include early to medium
harvest time, well-sealed semihard shells, and high quality, sweet
kernels with high oil and vitamin E content.
Inventors: |
Wirthensohn; Michelle
(Adelaide, AU), Granger; Andrew (Montacute,
AU) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ADELAIDE RESEARCH & INNOVATION PTY LTD.
Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited |
Adelaide
Sydney |
N/A
N/A |
AU
AU |
|
|
Assignee: |
Adelaide Research & Innovation
Pty Ltd (Adelaide, AU)
Horticulture Innovation Australia Ltd (Sydney,
AU)
|
Family
ID: |
60417603 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/999,570 |
Filed: |
May 26, 2016 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20170347511 P1 |
Nov 30, 2017 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
PLT/155 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01H
6/7427 (20180501); A01H 5/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01H
5/08 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;PLT/155 |
Primary Examiner: Bell; Kent L
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Marshall, Gerstein & Borun
LLP
Claims
We claim:
1. A new and distinct variety of almond tree (Prunus dulcis) named
`MAXIMA`, as illustrated and described herein.
Description
Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus
dulcis.
Variety denomination: `MAXIMA`.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of
almond varieties, botanically known as Prunus dulcis, and
hereinafter referred to by the name `MAXIMA`.
The disclosure provides a new and distinct variety of almond tree,
botanically known as Prunus dulcis, synonymous with Prunus
amygdalus Batsch., Amygdalus communis L., and Amygdalus dulcis
Mill., which belongs to the Rosaceae family, and is hereinafter
referred to by the variety denomination `MAXIMA`.
The new Prunus dulcis variety is a product of a controlled breeding
program conducted by the inventors Michelle Wirthensohn and Andrew
Granger in Adelaide, Australia. The objective of the breeding
program was to develop new almond varieties with high production,
self-fertility and good kernel characteristics.
The new Prunus dulcis `MAXIMA` originated from a cross in 1997 in
Adelaide, Australia. The female or seed parent is Prunus dulcis
variety designated `Nonpareil` (unpatented) and the male or pollen
parent is the French self-fertile Prunus dulcis variety designated
`Lauranne` (unpatented). The new Prunus dulcis `MAXIMA` was
selected by the inventors from the progeny of the stated cross in
field trials in 2009 in Lindsay Point, Australia. First
observations occurred in 2001.
Asexual propagation of the new Prunus dulcis `MAXIMA by grafting
onto Prunus persica (L.) Batsch rootstock designated `Nemaguard`
(unpatented) was first performed in 2005 in the orchard located in
Lindsay Point, Australia. Asexual propagation of the new Prunus
dulcis `MAXIMA` has confirmed that the characteristics as herein
disclosed for the new variety are stable and retained through
successive generations of asexual propagation. The new variety
propagates true-to-type.
Asexual reproduction of the new almond tree has shown that the
unique features of this new almond tree are stable and reproduced
true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The `MAXIMA` variety of almond is of medium size, slightly smaller
than `Nonpareil` (unpatented), medium vigor with spreading growth
and demonstrates very high and regular production of semi-hard
shell nuts with kernels having an excellent flavour similar to
`Nonpareil` (unpatented). The harvest maturity is slightly later
than `Nonpareil` (unpatented) and the nuts release from the hulls
readily. Double are not produced under growing conditions in the
Riverland area of South Australia. The tree is self-incompatible
but cross-compatible with `Nonpareil` (unpatented) and `Monterey`
(unpatented).
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are
determined to be the unique characteristics which make the new
variety `MAXIMA` clearly distinguishable from its parents and the
variety most similar of common knowledge which is `Steliette`
(unpatented): 1. very high productivity; 2. large attractive
kernels; and 3. ease of harvest.
The following characteristics listed in Table 1 have been
repeatedly observed in combination and distinguish `MAXIMA` as a
new and distinct almond variety:
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Most similar Female variety of common New
parent Male parent knowledge variety `Nonpareil` `Lauranne`
`Steliette` Trait `MAXIMA` (unpatented) (unpatented) (unpatented)
Shell type Semihard Paper Hard Semihard Tree habit Spreading
Slightly Spreading- Semi-erect open drooping Self-fertility Absent
Absent Present Present Flowering Medium- Early- Late-very Medium
time medium medium late Kernel size Large Medium Small Large Time
of Early- Early Early- Early maturity medium medium
Distinguishing characteristics of `MAXIMA` are set out in Table 1.
Plants of the new `MAXIMA` almond tree have not been observed under
all possible environmental conditions and cultural practices. The
phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment, such as
temperature, day length and light intensity, without, however, any
variance in genotype.
The primary difference between the new variety and the female
parent `Nonpareil` (unpatented) is the new variety has a semihard
shell and large kernel, whereas `Nonpareil` (unpatented) is
papershell with medium size kernel. In comparison to its male
parent `Lauranne` (unpatented), the new variety blooms earlier by
about 5-7 days, has larger fruit, and is self-sterile.
The primary difference between the new variety and the most similar
variety of common knowledge `Steliette` (unpatented) is the new
variety is self-sterile, whereas `Steliette` (unpatented) is
self-fertile and does not require a pollinator tree planted near to
fertilize the flowers and, thus, produce almonds.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The accompanying photographs (drawings) illustrate the overall
appearance of the new Prunus dulcis `MAXIMA` showing the colors, as
true as is reasonably possible with digital reproduction. Colors in
the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in
the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the
color of `MAXIMA`. The trees were grown on Nemaguard rootstock.
FIG. 1 shows typical flowers of `MAXIMA`, dissected (FIG. 1A) and
in situ (FIG. 1B).
FIG. 2 shows various images of fruit of `MAXIMA`, including a one
year-old shoot, showing green immature fruit (FIG. 2A), mature
fruit in situ (FIG. 2B), and kernel and dry fruit shape (FIG.
2C).
FIG. 3 shows a typical four year-old tree of `MAXIMA` on 15 Sep.
2010.
DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
Plants used in the aforementioned photographs and in the following
description were grown outside under natural season conditions and
cultural practices which approximate those generally used in
commercial almond production. During the production of the plants,
day temperatures ranged from about 14.5.degree. C. to 48.2.degree.
C., night ranged from about -5.7.degree. C. to 14.degree. C. and
light levels ranged from about 126,905 to 564,729 foot-candles.
Measurements and numerical values represent averages for typical
flowering plants.
The following is a detailed description of the new `MAXIMA` variety
when observed during the growing seasons from 2010 to 2015 at
Lindsay Point, Victoria, Australia. During 2015, the `MAXIMA` trees
were nine years of age. Quantified measurements are expressed as an
average of measurements taken from a number of trees of `MAXIMA`.
The measurements of any individual tree (or any group of trees) of
`MAXIMA` may vary from the stated average.
Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour
Chart (R.H.S.)., sixth edition, (2015). Color values were taken
under conditions of natural light.
All of the trees of `MAXIMA`, insofar as they have been observed,
have been consistent in the characteristics described below.
Classification: Botanical.--Prunus dulcis. Parentage: Female, or
seed parent.--Prunus dulcis variety designated `Nonpareil`,
unpatented. Male, or pollen parent.--French self-fertile Prunus
dulcis variety designated `Lauranne`, unpatented. Propagation:
Type.--Budding onto rootstock. Time to initiate roots.--NA. Time to
produce young plant.--Eight months. Root description.--`Nemaguard`
(unpatented) rootstock. Plant description: Tree: Size.--Slightly
smaller than Nonpareil. Mature tree height is approximately 3.8
meters with a spread of approximately 4 meters at about 11 years of
age. Vigor.--Medium. Density.--High. Habit.--Spreading. Trunk:
Diameter.--About 15 cm wide and about 51.2 cm high at about 4 years
of age. Texture.--Slightly rough. Color of bark.--RHS 177B, light
reddish brown. Lenticels length.--About 2.3 mm. Lenticels
width.--About 1.1 mm. Lenticels density.--About 13 per cm.sup.2 on
nine year-old wood. Lenticels shape.--Narrow elliptic. Lenticels
color.--RHS 164B, moderate orange yellow. Current season shoot:
Shape in cross section.--Round. Color.--RHS 143B, strong yellow
green. Texture.--Smooth. One year-old shoot: Length.--Up to about
1.5 m. Texture.--Rough. Internode length.--About 14-19 mm.
Thickness.--Thin, about 2.5-3.5 mm. Shape in cross section.--Round.
Color.--RHS N199C, moderate yellowish brown. Anthocyanin
coloration.--Strong coloration on sunny side; Upper surface: RHS
183A; Lower surface: RHS 144A. Intensity of anthocyanin
coloration.--Strong. Feathering.--Absent or very slight.
Lenticels.--Present. Lenticels density.--About 30-33 per cm.sup.2.
Lenticels shape.--Round to elliptic. Lenticels length.--About
0.9-1.3 mm. Lenticels width.--About 0.5 mm. Buds: Shape.--Lateral:
acute; Terminal: acute. Length.--Lateral: 6.7-7.1 mm; Terminal:
6-9.4 mm. Diameter.--Lateral: 3.3-3.8 mm; Terminal: 3.3-3.7 mm.
Color.--Lateral: 200B, pubescent; Terminal: 200A, pubescent. Spurs:
Shape.--Cylindrical. Length.--About 17.4-45.6 mm. Diameter.--About
3.4-4 mm. Color.--RHS 165A. Leaves per spur.--About 8.73. Mature
wood: Color.--RHS 165A. Foliage: Density.--Dense. Leaf blade:
Length.--About 55-70 mm, average 61 mm. Width.--About 19-25 mm,
average 21 mm. Length/width ratio.--Low to medium.
Shape.--Elliptic. Shape of base.--Obtuse. Shape of apex.--Acute.
Color.--Upper surface: RHS NN137B, greyish olive green. Incisions
of margin.--Crenate. Venation type.--Arcuate to pinnate. Petiole:
Length.--About 20-27 mm, average 24 mm. Color.--RHS 143A, strong
yellow green. Shape in cross section.--Concave. Flower buds:
Distribution.--Intermediate. Shape.--Conical. Color of tip of
petals.--RHS 62D, pale purplish pink. Color of sepals.--RHS 183B,
dark red. Hairiness of sepals.--Very weak to weak. Flower: Diameter
of flower.--About 41-52 mm, average about 47 mm, large. Depth of
flower.--About 19.2 mm (average). Number of flowers.--Single or
clusters. Texture of flowers.--Smooth. Scent of flowers.--Fragrant.
Length of petals.--About 22.2 (average). Width of petals.--About
17.34 mm (average). Texture of petals.--Upper surface: smooth;
Lower surface: smooth. Margin.--Indented, deeply lobed. Shape of
petals.--Elliptic to broad elliptic. Shape of apex.--Retuse,
indented. Shape of base.--Acute. Number of petals.--Five or six.
Color of petals.--Upper surface: RHS NN155D with RHS 69D blush,
yellowish white; Lower surface: RHS NN155D with RHS 69D blush.
Number of stamens.--About 32.9 (average). Color of stamens.--White.
Number of pistils.--Always one. Length of pistils.--About 14.11 mm.
Color of pistils.--RHS 145C. Position of stigma as compared with
anthers.--Below. Sepals: Number.--About 5 or 6. Shape.--Broad
elliptic. Length.--About 7.13 mm (average). Width.--About 4.77 mm
(average). Apex.--Rounded. Margin.--Very hairy. Color.--Outer
surface: RHS 144B with pale sections. Inner surface: RHS 144B with
nectary RHS 25B becoming paler; nectary is moist. Pedicels:
Length.--About 2.15 mm (average). Color.--RHS 144A. Stamen:
Anthocyanin coloration of filament.--White. Length of
filament.--About 7.69 mm (average). Stigma: Size.--Medium. Pollen:
Amount.--Moderate. Color.--RHS 153D. Green fruit: Shape.--Pointed.
Average length.--About 42.76 mm. Average width.--About 31.42 mm.
Average thickness.--About 23.49 mm. Color.--RHS N148A, moderate
yellow green. Pubescence.--Much. Dry fruit: Shape.--Ovate. Shape of
apex.--Pointed. Length.--About 33-39 mm. Width.--About 23-27 mm.
Thickness.--About 14-17 mm. Average weight.--About 3.98 g.
Color.--RHS 164B, moderate orange yellow. Surface.--Smooth with
moderate pitting. Thickness of endocarp.--About 1-3 mm. Resistance
to cracking.--Semihard. Percentage of kernel to dry
fruit.--Approximately 38%. Keel development.--Medium to strong.
Distribution on tree.--On spurs and one year-old shoots.
Base.--Flat to weakly cordate. Color.--Inner surface: RHS 164B.
Fruit: Percentage of double kernels.--None. Eating
quality.--Excellent. Oil content average is about 62.4%; Oleic acid
is about 59.9%, Vitamin E is about 51.7 mg/100 g oil.
Production.--Regular fruit bearer. Kernel: Shape.--Broad elliptic.
Size.--Large. Average weight.--About 1.51 g. Length.--About 22-29
mm. Width.--About 13-16 mm. Thickness.--About 7-9 mm. Main
color.--RHS 164B, moderate orange yellow. Intensity of
color.--Light. Rugosity.--Weak. Taste.--Sweet. Apex.--Acuminate,
short tip. Base.--Rounded. Yield.--About 5,804 kg/ha at 10 years.
Blooming/flowering timing: Time of beginning of flowering.--August
to September (late winter to early spring -- Australia); Full bloom
up to about six days after `Nonpareil`. Time of leaf budburst in
relation to beginning of flowering.--Simultaneous to beginning of
blooming to later depending on season. Flowering
period.--Mid-August to early September (late winter to early spring
-- Australia); Up to three and one half weeks depending on the
weather; Full bloom about mid-August. Time of
maturity.--Approximately 30 weeks from beginning of flowering
(about 7 months from August to March -- Australia). Cultural
characteristics: Susceptibility to disease.--Very good tolerance to
bacterial spot. Storage/shipping: Storage.--Good storage ability
due to high Vitamin E content (about 52 mg/100 mL oil). Shipping
ability.--Good. Harvest: Peak.--February (late summer --
Australia); Approximately 12 days after Nonpareil. Pest
resistance/susceptibility: Resistance.--Semi-hard shell is
resistant to insect attacks; Very good resistance to bacterial spot
and hull rot.
* * * * *