U.S. patent number PP31,146 [Application Number 15/998,043] was granted by the patent office on 2019-12-03 for citrus l. plant named `asuki`.
This patent grant is currently assigned to National Agriculture and Food Research Organization. The grantee listed for this patent is NATIONAL AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH ORGANIZATION. Invention is credited to Hiroko Hamada, Masayuki Kita, Takeshi Kuniga, Naoko Nakajima, Hirohisa Nesumi, Keisuke Nonaka, Mutsuko Nonomura, Satoshi Ota, Fumitaka Takishita, Toshio Yoshida, Terutaka Yoshioka.
United States Patent |
PP31,146 |
Yoshioka , et al. |
December 3, 2019 |
Citrus L. plant named `ASUKI`
Abstract
A new and distinct variety of Citrus L. plant named `ASUKI`,
characterized by being late-maturing, having high brix and
excellent taste, being easy to eat because of its soft segment
membrane, having no occurrence of fruit rind puffing, and having
less dripping of fruit juice.
Inventors: |
Yoshioka; Terutaka (Tsukuba,
JP), Yoshida; Toshio (Tsukuba, JP), Nesumi;
Hirohisa (Tsukuba, JP), Ota; Satoshi (Tsukuba,
JP), Kita; Masayuki (Tsukuba, JP), Kuniga;
Takeshi (Tsukuba, JP), Nonomura; Mutsuko
(Tsukuba, JP), Nakajima; Naoko (Tsukuba,
JP), Hamada; Hiroko (Tsukuba, JP), Nonaka;
Keisuke (Tsukuba, JP), Takishita; Fumitaka
(Tsukuba, JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NATIONAL AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH ORGANIZATION |
Tsukuba-shi |
N/A |
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
National Agriculture and Food
Research Organization (Tsukuba-shi, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
64657153 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/998,043 |
Filed: |
June 19, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20180368300 P1 |
Dec 20, 2018 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
Current U.S.
Class: |
PLT/201 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01H
6/785 (20180501) |
Current International
Class: |
A01H
5/08 (20180101); A01H 6/78 (20180101) |
Field of
Search: |
;PLT/201 |
Primary Examiner: Para; Annette H
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Oblon, McClelland, Maier &
Neustadt, L.L.P.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A new and distinct variety of Citrus L. plant named `ASUKI`, as
described and illustrated herein.
Description
The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety
disclosed herein is: Citrus L.
The novel variety of the Citrus L. disclosed herein has been given
the variety denomination: `ASUKI`.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of Japanese Plant Breeder's
Rights Application No. 32235 filed Jun. 19, 2017, which is
incorporated by reference herein as if set forth in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and distinct hybrid variety
of Citrus L., which was obtained in May 1992, from the cross
between the `KANKITSU OKITSU 46` (mother plant, undisclosed
breeding material) and the `HARUMI` (father plant, Japanese Variety
Registration No. 7506, registered on Nov. 25, 1999), which was
carried out in Okitsu-town, Shimizu-ward, Shizuoka-city,
Shizuoka-prefecture, Japan. The hybrid seeds were collected in
November 1992, and immediately sown in a glasshouse to grow hybrid
seedlings. The seedlings were grafted on satsuma mandarin
inter-stocks in April 1994, and first fruits were observed in
1997.
After the first fruiting, tests for fruits quality were carried out
on the above-mentioned individuals grafted on satsuma mandarin
inter-stocks, and among these, No. P-92 was first selected as the
best individual in 2005, based on its high brix and excellent
fruits quality. The No. P-92 was phylogenetically named as
`KANKITSU OKITSU 60` (which was varietally denominated as `ASUKI`
at a later date), and subjected to the national trial in 29 test
sites in Japan, from April 2006. As a result of the above-mentioned
national trial, on August 2016, it was evaluated that `ASUKI`
matured around medium to late March, and had high brix and
extremely excellent taste stably every year, in almost all the test
sites.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of
Citrus L. plant named `ASUKI`, as described and illustrated herein.
Specifically, `ASUKI` is a new and distinct variety of Citrus L.,
characterized by being late-maturing, having high brix and
excellent taste, being easy to eat because of its soft segment
membrane, having no occurrence of fruit rind puffing, and having
less dripping of fruit juice.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
The accompanying colored photographs (FIGS. 1-9) show typical tree,
flower and fruit characteristics for the new Citrus L. plant,
`ASUKI`. Colors shown are as accurate as can be reasonably
reproduced by photographic means. In some cases, the color might
differ slightly from the colors of `ASUKI` recited in the
description.
FIG. 1 shows a tree of Citrus L. plant `ASUKI` (photographed date:
Mar. 13, 2015; photographed location: Okitsu-town, Shimizu-ward,
Shizuoka-city, Shizuoka-prefecture, Japan; and the age of
photographed `ASUKI`: 15 years).
FIG. 2 shows whole flowers of Citrus L. plant `ASUKI` (photographed
date: May 12, 2015; photographed location: same as FIG. 1; and the
age of photographed `ASUKI`: 15 years).
FIG. 3 shows broken-down parts of the flower of Citrus L. plant
`ASUKI` (photographed date: May 12, 2015; photographed location:
same as FIG. 1; and the age of photographed `ASUKI`: 15 years).
FIG. 4 shows whole fruits of Citrus L. plant `ASUKI` (photographed
date: Mar. 5, 2015; photographed location: same as FIG. 1; and the
age of photographed `ASUKI`: 15 years).
FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal and a horizontal section of whole
fruits of Citrus L. plant `ASUKI` (photographed date: Mar. 5, 2015;
photographed location: same as FIG. 1; and the age of photographed
`ASUKI`: 15 years).
FIG. 6 shows a comparison of flowers of `ASUKI` with those of
`ASUMI` and `SETOKA` (both of which are varieties morphologically
similar to `ASUKI` in terms of fruit). Upper: `ASUKI`, medium:
`ASUMI`, lower: `SETOKA` (photographed date: May 12, 2015;
photographed location: same as FIG. 1; and the age of photographed
`ASUKI`: 15 years).
FIG. 7 shows a comparison of fruits of `ASUKI` with those of
`ASUMI` and `SETOKA`. Left: `ASUKI`, medium: `ASUMI`, right:
`SETOKA` (photographed date: Mar. 5, 2015; photographed location:
same as FIG. 1; and the age of photographed `ASUKI`: 15 years).
FIG. 8 shows a comparison of thicknesses of fruit rind of `ASUKI`
with those of `ASUMI` and `SETOKA`. Left: `ASUKI`, medium: `ASUMI`,
right: `SETOKA`. Thickness of fruit rind of `ASUKI`: thin, `ASUMI`
and `SETOKA`: extremely thin (photographed date: Mar. 5, 2015;
photographed location: same as FIG. 1; and the age of photographed
`ASUKI`: 15 years).
FIG. 9 shows fruits on a tree of `ASUKI` (photographed date: Mar.
13, 2015; photographed location: same as FIG. 1; and the age of
photographed `ASUKI`: 15 years).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY
The following is a detailed description of the new Citrus L.
variety known as `ASUKI`, based upon the traits evaluated in each
test sites in Japan.
As described above, `ASUKI` was obtained from the cross between
`KANKITSU OKITSU 46` as a mother plant and `HARUMI` as a father
plant. The applicants had asexually reproduced `ASUKI` by grafting
it onto trifoliate orange rootstocks in Okitsu-town, Shimizu-ward,
Shizuoka-city, Shizuoka-prefecture, Japan, and from 2013 to 2015,
the traits evaluation of `ASUKI` was carried out by being compared
with other Citrus L. varieties `ASUMI` (Japanese variety
registration No. 23723, registered on Sep. 30, 2014) and `SETOKA`
(Japanese variety registration No. 9398, registered on Oct. 18,
2001)(both of which are varieties morphologically similar to
`ASUKI` in terms of fruit) as well as `AOSHIMAUNSHIU` and
`SHIRANUI` (both of which are leading Citrus varieties in Japan).
The results of the traits evaluation were as follows. The plant age
of all the plants of `ASUKI` was 15 years. In addition, the growing
conditions of these plants were the following: (a) the annual
rainfall in the observed area (Skizuoka-city, Shizuoka-prefecture,
Japan) was 1800 mm to 2700 mm (more than 200 mm per month in March
to October, and less than 100 mm per month in November to February,
which corresponds to maturation season of the fruits of `ASUKI`);
(b) the annual sunshine in hours in the observed area was about
2000 hours per year; (c) the average annual temperature in the
observed area was 16 to 17.degree. C. (the highest temperature:
37.degree. C. and the lowest temperature: -3.8.degree. C.); and (d)
the soil property in the observed field was fertile brown forest
soil, including compost.
(1) Tree Characteristics
The tree vigor of `ASUKI` was slightly stronger than those of
`SETOKA`, `AOSHIMAUNSHIU` and `SHIRANUI`. The color of tree bark of
`ASUKI` was Strong Yellowish Brown N199D (The R.H.S. Colour Chart).
The tree shape of `ASUKI` was spheroid to ellipsoid, and the growth
habit was upright to spreading. The average trunk circumference of
`ASUKI` was 77 cm (n=5), the average trunk diameter of `ASUKI` was
12.5 cm (n=5), and the trunk surface texture of `ASUKI` was
slightly smooth without pitting. The shoot length of `ASUKI` was
long (for example, average length of shoot: about 13.5 cm, n=30),
and the diameter (for example, about 2.9 mm) and density of shoots
were medium. The internode length of `ASUKI` was medium (for
example, average length of internode: about 1.9 cm, n=30). The
percentage of occurrence of thorns on shoots was low (8%, n=30), so
that the density of thorns on shoots was sparse, and in some years,
there was almost no occurrence of thorn. The length of thorns on
shoots of `ASUKI` were short (Table 1).
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Numbers and length of 'ASUKI' thorns Year
2013 2014 Variety Number Length Number Length ASUKI medium short
none ASUMI -- -- many short SETOKA medium short many short
AOSHIMAUNSHIU none none SHIRANUI none none Year Evaluation 2015
through three years Variety Number Length Number Length ASUKI few
short none to few short ASUMI many medium many short to medium
SETOKA many short medium to short many AOSHIMAUNSHIU none none
SHIRANUI none none --: not investigated Numbers of thorns were
observed including summer and fall shoots. none: without thorn.
few: intermediate (there were thornless parts on shoots). many:
thorns occurred on most shoots. Length of thorns were observed on
average spring shoots. short: less than 1 cm. medium: 1 to 2 cm.
long: no less than 2 cm.
The shape of leaf blade of `ASUKI` was lanceolate, just like those
of `ASUMI` and `SETOKA`, and the length (for example, average
length of leaf: about 9.2 cm, n=30) and the size (for example,
about 25.3 cm.sup.2) of leaf blade was medium, and the width of
leaf blade was narrow (for example, average width of leaf: about
3.8 cm, n=30). The thickness of leaf of `ASUKI` (for example, about
0.37 mm) was at the same level as those of `ASUMI` and `SETOKA`.
The color of upper surface of leaf of `ASUKI` was Moderate Olive
Green 137A (The R.H.S. Colour Chart), and the color of lower
surface of leaf of `ASUKI` was Moderate Yellow Green 146B (The
R.H.S. Colour Chart). The petiole wings of `ASUKI` was wedge
shaped, and its length (for example, average length of petiole
wings: about 14.7 mm, n=30) was medium and its width (for example,
average width of petiole wings: about 3.7 mm, n=30) was narrow. The
length of petiole of `ASUKI` was medium (for example, average
length of petiole: about 18.7 mm, n=30), and its diameter was wide
(for example, average diameter of petiole: about 2.0 mm, n=30). The
weight of a flower (for example, about 0.44 g) and the size of a
petal (for example, length: about 14.5 mm; width: about 7.2 mm) of
`ASUKI` were smaller than those of `ASUMI`, and larger than those
of `SETOKA`. The flower of `ASUKI` did not have inflorescence and
was solitary. The color of flower petals of `ASUKI` was white, and
one flower had 5 petals. The color of opened flower of `ASUKI` was
White NN155D (The R.H.S. Colour Chart). The number of flower
filaments of `ASUKI` was few (for example, about 18.8) and the
filaments were separated from each other. The amount of pollen of
`ASUKI` was at the same level as that of `ASUMI`, and larger than
that of `SETOKA`. The flower's style of `ASUKI` was arched, and the
curvature degree of the style was lower than that of `ASUMI`.
The number of flower setting of `ASUKI` was medium, and there was
little preharvest drops. The alternate bearing of `ASUKI` was
lighter than those of `ASUMI` and `SETOKA`, and the yielding
ability of `ASUKI` was medium. The degree of occurrence of Citrus
canker disease was lower than those of `ASUMI` and `SETOKA`. There
was no occurrence of Citrus scab on `ASUKI` under conventional
control (Table 2).
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Degree of occurrence of `ASUKI` plant
diseases Year 2013 2014 citrus citrus citrus citrus Variety conker
scab canker scab ASUKI none none none none ASUMI none none slight
none SETOKA none none slight none AOSHIMAUNSHIU none none none none
SHIRANUI none none none none Year Evaluation through 2015 three
years citrus citrus citrus citrus Variety canker scab canker scab
ASUKI none none none none ASUMI slight none none to slight none
SETOKA slight none none to slight none AOSHIMAUNSHIU none none none
none SHIRANUI none none none none citrus canker disease, citrus
scab: degree of damages on fruits and trees under conventional
control. none: no symptom was observed. slight: some pathological
spots were observed, but no problem fix cultivation. moderate:
intermediate. severe: a lot of pathological spots appeared, and
there is a problem on cultivation.
(2) Fruit Characteristics
The time of sprouting of `ASUKI` (early April) was almost the same
as those of `ASUMI` and `SETOKA`, and the full bloom stage of
`ASUKI` (early May) was at the same time as those of `ASUMI` and
`SETOKA`. While the beginning time of fruit coloration of `ASUKI`
(middle October) was at the same time as that of `ASUMI`, it was 10
to 15 days later than those of `SETOKA` and `AOSHIMAUNSHIU`. The
time of complete coloring of fruits of `ASUKI` was late (latter
half of December), and it was at the same level as `ASUMI`. The
time of maturing of fruits of `ASUKI` was late February to March,
and it was more than 1 month later than that of `ASUMI` (Table
3).
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Maturing time of `ASUKI` fruits Evaluation
Year through Variety 2013 2014 2015 three years ASUKI early March
early March late February late February to March ASUMI early late
January late January late January to February early February SETOKA
late late February late February late February February AOSHI- --
early late late November MAUNSHIU December November to early
December SHIRANUI -- late February late February late February :
not investigated Maturing time of fruits: determined by progress
degree of coloration and fruit quality.
The fruit shape of `ASUKI` was oblate in form, the color of fruit
rind (skin of fruit) of `ASUKI` was Vivid orange 28B (The R.H.S.
Colour Chart), and the surface of fruit was smooth. The average
thickness of fruit rind of `ASUKI` was about 2.7 mm (n=15) and it
was thicker than those of `ASUMI` and `SETOKA`, and `ASUKI` was
easier to be peeled than `ASUMI`. The fruit rind of `ASUKI` had
orange-like flavor. The color of fruit flesh of `ASUKI` was Strong
Orange 169B (The R.H.S. Colour Chart), and the pulp rate was
relatively high (for example, about 82.6%). The segment membrane of
`ASUKI` was relatively thin and soft, and the fruit flesh texture
was medium to slight firm. The external color of seed of `ASUKI`
was Pale Yellow 160D (The R.H.S. Colour Chart), and the color of
inner seed coat of `ASUKI` was Moderate Yellow 161A (The R.H.S.
Colour Chart). The average fruit weight of `ASUKI` was about 180 g,
(n=15), and it was at the same level as those of `ASUMI` and
`SETOKA`.
The brix of fruit juice of `ASUKI` was more than 15% around
February 20, and it was increased up to about 16% around March 20,
and was higher than those of `ASUMI` and `SETOKA`. The acid content
of fruit juice of `ASUKI` was about 1.18 g/100 ml around March 20,
and the fruit of `ASUKI` had extremely rich taste (Table 4).
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Fruit characteristics of `ASUKI` Year
investi- 2013 gation Acid 2014 date Weight content Weight Month. of
fruit Brix g/100 Bitter- of fruit Variety Day g % ml ness g ASUKI
2.20 172 16.1 1.57 none 171 3.20 165 16.8 1.33 none 176 ASUMI 2.20
161 14.3 1.10 none 173 SETOKA 2.20 194 14.4 1.42 none 176 AOSHIMA-
11.20 166 9.5 0.70 none 168 UNSHIU SHIRANUI 2.20 220 15.9 1.33 none
277 Year 2014 2015 Acid Acid content Weight content Brix g/100
Bitter- of fruit Brix g/100 Variety % ml ness g % ml ASUKI 15.7
1.48 none 200 15.1 1.05 15.7 1.18 none 187 15.7 1.03 ASUMI 14.0
0.93 none 185 15.0 0.68 SETOKA 13.6 1.53 none 195 13.8 1.19
AOSHIMA- 9.7 0.81 none 154 9.9 0.78 UNSHIU SHIRANUI 14.2 1.04 none
281 14.7 0.90 Year Evaluation through three years Acid 2015 Weight
content Bitter- of fruit Brix g/100 Bitter- Variety ness g % ml
ness ASUKI none 181 15.6 1.37 none none 176 16.1 1.18 none ASUMI
none 173 14.4 0.97 none SETOKA none 188 13.9 1.38 none AOSHIMA-
none 163 9.7 0.76 none UNSHIU SHIRANUI none 259 14.9 1.09 none
The fruit of `ASUKI` was tight and there was no occurrence of fruit
rind puffing. And also, there was neither occurrence of fruit
cracking nor physiological granulation (Table 5).
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Occurrence of physiological disorder on
'ASUKI' fruits Year 2013 Rind Granu- Variety puffing Cracking
lation Others ASUKI none none none slight: ASUMI none slight none
sunacald SETOKA none none none AOSHIMAUNSHIU medium none none
SHIRANUI little none none Year 2014 Rind Granu- Variety puffing
Cracking lation Others ASUKI none none none slight: ASUMI none
slight none sunacald SETOKA none slight none AOSHIMAUNSHIU little
none none SHIRANUI little none none Year 2015 Rind Granu- Variety
puffing Cracking lation Others ASUKI none none none slight: ASUMI
none slight none sunacald SETOKA none slight none AOSHIMAUNSHIU
much none none SHIRANUI little none none Rind puffing was
numeralized as follows: none: no occurrence of rind puffing (score
0), little: rind was puffed around pedicel (score 1), medium: rind
puffing was reached to equatorial portion of fruit (score 2), and
much: rind was puffed throughout whole fruit (score 3), and
evaluated by their average valule. Cracking of fruits were based on
observation. none: without craking fruit. slight: less than 10% of
fruits were craking fruits. many: no less than 10% of fruits were
craking fruits. Granulation of fruits were based on observation.
none: no granulation was observed. slight: slight granulations were
observed. moderate: granulations were apparently observed, but not
greater than 1/4 of fruit pulps. severe: no less than 1/4 of fruit
pulps were granulated. When another physiological disorder was
present, the type and degree of the physiological disorder was
described. slight: some physiological disorder were found, but no
problem for production of fruits. severe: there is a problem on
production of fruits.
When being cut by knife, the degree of dripping of fruit juice of
`ASUKI` was lower than those of Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi),
Kawano-natsudaidai orange (Citrus natsudaidai f. kawanonatsudaidai)
etc. (see Table 6 below), and was almost the same level as that of
Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis), so that `ASUKI` is suitable for
being used as cut fruits.
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Degree of fruit juice dripping of `ASUKI`
The amount of The amount fruit juice of fruit juice dripping
Investi- dripping immediately gation after after cutting of month
Variety Name storage* (g) fruit** (mg) 2 Orange (Citrus sinensis)
0.527 6.87 3 ASUKI (Citrus L.) 0.562 4.25 2 ASUKI (Citrus L.) 0.655
3.85 4 KAWANONATSUDAIDAI 1.189 9.69 (Citrus natsudaidai Hayata f.
Kawanonatsudaidai) 2 Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) 1.384 12.25 12
AOSHIMAUNSHIU 1.444 5.57 (Citrus unshiu) 3 KIYOMI (Cirrus unshiu x
Citrus 1.847 4.83 sinensis) *The amount of fruit juice dripping per
100 g of fruit pulp, after sealed storage at 4.degree. C. for 24
hour. **The amount of fruit juice dripping per cross section (1
cm.sup.2).
* * * * *