U.S. patent number PP31,081 [Application Number 16/350,121] was granted by the patent office on 2019-11-19 for peach tree named `rich joy`.
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. Invention is credited to Chunxian Chen, William R. Okie.
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United States Patent |
PP31,081 |
Chen , et al. |
November 19, 2019 |
Peach tree named `Rich Joy`
Abstract
A new and distinct variety of peach tree, denominated `Rich
Joy`, has firm, freestone, melting, yellow flesh fruit with normal
acidity, rich flavor, good eating quality, and long shelf life on
trees and after harvesting. The fruit typically ripen about one
week after `Julyprince` in mid-July in Byron, Ga., have a high
percentage of red blush with an attractive yellow ground color on
skin surface, and usually are almost round with a slightly
prominent suture. The tree is moderately vigorous and
semi-spreading in growth habit, has self-fertile showy pink
flowers, and regularly bears heavy annual crops. This variety has a
winter chilling requirement estimated at approximately 850 chill
hours and is suited for high chill areas.
Inventors: |
Chen; Chunxian (Byron, GA),
Okie; William R. (Warner Robins, GA) |
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: |
68535992 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/350,121 |
Filed: |
September 27, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
PLT/198 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01H
6/7463 (20180501); A01H 5/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01H
5/08 (20180101); A01H 6/74 (20180101) |
Field of
Search: |
;PLT/194,187,198 |
Primary Examiner: McCormick Ewoldt; Susan
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fado; John D. Atkinson; Ariel
L.
Claims
We claim:
1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree as illustrated and
described, characterized by a high chilling requirement and bearing
fruit having, yellow-fleshed fruit with normal acidity and melting,
freestone with rich flavor and excellent eating quality a high
percentage of red blush with an attractive yellow ground color,
with fruit ripening in mid-July in Byron, Ga.
Description
Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: `Rich
Joy` is a peach tree that is a Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.
Variety denomination: The new peach tree is of the variety
denominated `Rich Joy`.
BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT
The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of
fresh-market peach designated `Rich Joy` and botanically known as
Prunus persica (L.) Batsch. This new peach tree is adapted to a
Southeastern subtropical climate with high chill in winters. `Rich
Joy` variety resulted from a hand-pollinated cross between
`Flameprince` (unpatented) yellow peach, which was used as the seed
parent, and BY87P0943 (unpatented, an advanced selection) yellow
peach, which was used as the pollen parent. `Rich Joy` variety was
obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on
`Guardian`.RTM. rootstock trees. Its unique fruit characteristics
and desired ripening season make it worthy for commercial fresh
fruit production. Clonal plants were asexually propagated from the
original `Rich Joy` tree by grafting in Byron, Ga. These asexually
propagated plants, along with all characteristics of the tree and
the fruit, remained true-to-type to the original `Rich Joy` tree.
There are no known effects of the standard rootstock on the scion
cultivar characteristics.
`Rich Joy`, produces firm, freestone, melting, yellow-flesh fruit
with normal acidity, rich flavor, good eating quality, attractive
blush, and long shelf life on trees and after harvesting, ripening
in July in Byron, Ga. `Rich Joy` is a promising candidate for
commercial success in that it has large and attractive fruit with
long on-tree life and shelf life after harvesting.
Byron, Ga. is under a subtropical climate. Winters are short, mild
and with little snow; summers are long, hot and humid. The average
January low temperature is about 1.2.degree. Celsius and the
average July high temperature is about 33.2.degree. Celsius. The
hours with temperatures below 7.degree. Celsius vary often between
600 and 1200 hours per year. There are about 67 rainy days per
year. Average annual precipitation (rainfall) is 1182.88 millimeter
(46.57 inch) with great monthly and yearly variabilities and
frequent thunderstorms in summers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The new and distinct variety `Rich Joy` peach tree blooms mid to
late March, approximately with or slightly after `Flameprince`
(unpatented) peach trees in Byron, Ga. The estimated chilling
requirement, based on bloom time, is approximately 850 chill hours.
The blooming period and the blooming date are dependent on climatic
conditions. The flower anthers are yellow, and leaf glands are
reniform, common characteristics of many standard peach
varieties.
The first fruit of `Rich Joy` ripen generally in mid-July in Byron,
Ga., in the season of `Cresthaven` (unpatented) and `Early
Augustprince` (unpatented) and approximately one week after
`Julyprince` (unpatented) and two weeks before `Flameprince`
(unpatented). `Rich Joy` trees are vigorous and productive, size
well, and crop reliably. `Rich Joy` fruit tend to have rich flavor,
good eating quality, slow melting texture, and more blush coverage
(approximately 85% red skin) than `Cresthaven` (unpatented) and
`Early Augustprince` (unpatented). There is some red pigmentation
in the yellow flesh at the pit if allowed to mature on the tree.
The potential for commercial production of fresh `Rich Joy` fruit
is high, due to its long shelf life on trees and after harvest,
attractive red skin over yellow ground color, and rich flavor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS
The accompanying drawings are color photographs that are as nearly
true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration
of this type:
FIG. 1 is a color photograph that shows a close view of typical
fruits of the new variety `Rich Joy` at ripening time at Byron,
Ga.
FIG. 2 is a color photograph that shows an attractive shape,
exterior coloration, flesh, and pit of five specimens of `Rich Joy`
fruit in a stem end view, a blossom end view, a side view showing
the suture, a side view showing the back, and a fruit
longitudinally cut into halves without and with the pit. Fruit are
picked from an orchard at Byron, Ga.
FIG. 3 is a color photograph that shows the typical semi-spreading
architecture of an 8-year-old tree of the new variety `Rich Joy` at
Byron, Ga.
FIG. 4 is a color photograph that shows typical showy flowers of
the new variety at Byron, Ga.
Due to photographical light, chemical development, processing and
printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or
may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical
specimen.
DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to
variations in soil types, cultural practices, climatic conditions,
growing seasons, and development stages. Referring more
specifically to the detailed botanical description of this new and
distinct variety of yellow peach tree, the following was observed
on 11-year-old trees of the variety grafted on `Guardian`.RTM.
rootstock under the ecological conditions prevailing at the
orchards located at the town of Byron, Ga., USA. All major color
code designations are by reference to The Royal Horticultural
Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart (Fourth Edition). Tree:
Size.--Generally considered large when trained to an open vase
form. The height and width of 11-year-old tree are 2.9 meters and
4.9 meters, respectively, including current season shoots.
Spread.--Grown to a vase shape with summer and winter pruning to
keep the tree open to get strong fruiting wood in the lower center.
Vigor.--Considered moderately vigorous. Approximately 1.0 to 1.5
meters in height and width of growth occurs in the orchards at
Byron, Ga. Trees respond typically to irrigation and fertilization.
Productivity.--Very productive and regular, every year. Fruit set
is spaced by thinning to develop the remaining fruit into desired
market size. The fruit number varies with the prevailing climatic
conditions and cultural practices. Bearer.--Very regular without
alternate bearing observed. The fruit is distributed homogenously
on both short and long shoots and must be thinned to avoid limb
breakage and obtain large fruit size. Form.--Semi-spreading, but
easily pruned to vase shape. Density.--Considered dense. Pruning is
required to open the tree center to promote sunlight entrance for
enhancing fruit color and sugar. Hardiness.--Hardy with respect to
typical Georgia winters. Chilling requirement.--Estimated
endodormancy chilling requirement is approximately 850 chill hours
based on time of bloom and leafing in relation to standard
varieties. Trunk: Size.--Approximately 32.5 cm in diameter at a
height of approximately 30.0 cm on the 11-year-old trees at Byron,
Ga. Bark texture.--Generally smooth, but changes to light shaggy as
tree ages. Bark color.--RHS Grey Group 201D, slightly darker than
the outside of lenticel color. Bark crack's color is RHS
Greyed-Orange Group 173C. Lenticels.--Moderately low number,
approximately 1 to 3 per square cm of surface area of trunk; and
the average lenticel length and width of lenticels are
approximately 8.6 millimeters and 3.1 millimeters, respectively.
Lenticel color.--The outside of lenticels is RHS Grey Group 201A,
whereas the inside is RHS Greyed-Orange Group 173C. Branches:
Size.--Average as compared to other peach varieties. Strong growth
of scaffold branches. The current season mature fruiting branches
have a diameter from 9.0 to 13.0 millimeters, and the average
diameter is 10.3 millimeters. Tree growth and structure permits
easier and faster winter pruning. Surface texture.--Relatively
smooth, numerous lenticels but smaller size than found on trunk and
old scaffolds. Roughness increases with age. Crotch
angles.--Moderate to wide angles within the normal range of
standard varieties for a semi-spreading tree after proper summer
and winter pruning. Internode length.--Approximately 1.4 to 2.6
centimeters with the average of 2.0 centimeters. Color of mature
branches.--RHS Grey Group 201B at the upper part (sunny side) of
the shoots and RHS Greyed-Orange Group 177B at the lower part
(shady side) of the shoots. Color of current season shoots.--RHS
Greyed-Orange Group 166A at the upper part (sunny side) of the
shoots and RHS Yellow-Green Group 145B at the lower part (shady
side) of the shoots. Leaves: Size.--Considered medium to large for
the species. Length.--Approximately 165.0 to 196.0 millimeters with
the average of 181.1 millimeters, not including the petiole.
Width.--Approximately 33.7 to 43.3 millimeters with the average of
38.4 millimeters. Thickness.--Regular and average for commercial
varieties, approximately 0.15 to 0.46 millimeters with the average
of 0.20 millimeter, not noticeably unusual. Form.--Lanceolate.
Apex.--Acute. Margin.--Serrulate. Base.--Acute. Surface.--Upper,
glabrous; Lower, medium large veins that are pinnately netted.
Color.--Regular green, slightly different in seasons. In early
shoot growth, both upper and lower leaf surfaces are RHS
Yellow-Green 151A. In late season, upper leaf surface is RHS Green
Group 137A and lower surface is RHS Yellow-Green Group 146B. Leaf
vein is RHS Yellow-Green Group 150D. Glands.--Reniform. Usually 2-3
on lower leaf blade and 2-3 on petioles. The average length is
approximately 0.9 millimeters and width 0.3 millimeters. Color is
RHS Yellow-Green Group 146B. Petiole.--Approximately 9.8 to 13.5
millimeters length, approximately 1.79 to 2.31 millimeters
diameter. Color is RHS Yellow-Green Group 146B. Stipules.--Medium,
equal to most commercial peach varieties, visible on younger
leaves, usually about 2 per leaf, and abscising just before leaf
becomes full size in summer growth. Color at full size is RHS
Yellow-Green Group 151A before abscising. Leaf blade
incisions.--Serrulate. Arrangement.--Alternate. Flowers: Flower
buds.--The form of flowers buds changes as blooming approaches,
with variable dimensions. They are conic at pre-floral stage and
approximately 6.0 to 7.8 millimeters long and 3.3 and 4.6
millimeters wide. The bud color in mid-winter is RHS Greyed-Green
Group 198B. The abundance is very high due to shorter than average
internode length. Most buds set fruit in absence of spring frosts
and show little evidence of bud drop. Hardiness.--Hardy with
respect to Georgia winters. Date of bloom.--Mid-late March
depending on winter chilling and amount of warm weather. Blooming
time.--Considered medium-late in bloom relative to other commercial
peaches in central Georgia. Typically blooms with `Flameprince`.
Duration of bloom.--Approximately 6 to 14 days. This characteristic
varies significantly with amount of winter chilling as well as
temperatures during bloom. Bloom quantity.--Generally abundant,
with a good distribution. Flower bud frequency.--Generally two
flower buds per node, but occasionally one.
Fragrance.--Undetectable or faint floral scent. Type.--Showy.
Size.--Approximately 30.8 to 43.0 millimeters in diameter at full
bloom, with the average of 37.3 millimeters. Petal.--Size:
Generally considered large. Length: approximately 15.1 to 20.1
millimeters with the average of 17.8 millimeters. Width:
approximately 9.7 to 14.2 millimeters with the average of 12.1
millimeters. Form: generally round-shaped. Count: almost always
five. Arrangement: Texture: smooth, soft and glabrous. Color: RHS
Red-Purple Group 63D in the upper surface and RHS Red-Purple Group
62C in the lower surface. Margins: Generally slightly undulating.
Apex: generally round and curved-shaped. Pedicel.--Length:
approximately 3.5 to 4.8 millimeters with the average of 4.3
millimeters. Diameter: approximately 1.5 to 1.9 millimeters with
the average of 1.7 millimeters. Calyx cup.--Diameter: approximately
16.1 to 19.3 millimeters with the average of 17.3 millimeters.
Color: RHS Green Group 143C at the interior surface and Greyed Red
Group 178A at the exterior surface. Sepals.--Number: generally five
sepals. Length: approximately 6.8 to 9.2 millimeters with the
average of 7.6 millimeters. Width: approximately 5.2 to 6.4
millimeters with the average of 5.8 millimeters. Color: RHS
Greyed-Purple 187A. Stamen number.--Approximately 31 to 50 stamens
per flower with the average of 40.7. Anthers.--Color: RHS Yellow
Orange 16A at opening. Pollens.--Generally abundant and
approximately RHS Yellow-Orange 18A. Filaments.--Length at opening:
approximately 10.7 to 15.5 millimeters with the average of 13.1
millimeters. The length of filaments is generally higher than that
of pistils. Color: RHS Red Group 36C. Pistil.--Number: Usually one.
Length: approximately 10.3 to 13.2 millimeters with the average of
11.5 millimeters and generally equal to stamen length, if not
slightly smaller. Color: RHS Yellow Group 2D (Pistil tip color is
RHS Green Group 138D). Fruit: Maturity when described.--Tree ripe,
Jul. 17, 2018 at Byron, Ga., and firm in ripe conditions. Date of
harvest.--Vary slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.
The picking starts first on Jul. 17, 2018, and until Jul. 23, 2018.
Size.--Generally uniform, large size. Weight: approximately 150 to
210 grams with the average of 170.7 grams. Equatorial diameter:
approximately 67.6 to 75.2 millimeters with the average of 70.7
millimeters. Polar diameter (from stem to distal end):
approximately 67.4 to 74.8 millimeters with the average of 70.4
millimeters. This characteristic highly depends on fruit number per
tree, soil type, climatic conditions, and cultural practices, and
therefore is not particularly distinctive of the variety.
Peduncle.--Length: approximately 4.5 to 8.5 millimeters with the
average of 6.4 millimeters. Width: approximately 3.2 to 4.1
millimeters with the average of 3.6 millimeters. Color: RHS Green
Group 142D. Longitudinal section form.--Generally round. Transverse
section through diameter.--Generally round with a slight ridge on
suture. Suture.--Slightly ridged with a slight crease. Ventral
surface.--Generally rounded. Shape of fruit base.--Slightly
Truncate. Apex.--Generally round, sometimes with a slightly
cuspidate tip. Crater at stem attachment.--Flaring oval to the
suture. Depth: approximately 12.7 to 17.7 millimeters with the
average of 14.8 millimeters. Width at top: approximately 18.0 to
27.0 millimeters with the average of 23.1 millimeters at top. Width
at bottom (pedicel attachment): approximately 3.9 to 6.1
millimeters with the average of 5.1 millimeters. Skin.--Thickness:
generally medium in comparison to commercial peach varieties.
Texture: generally typical of commercial peach varieties. Tenacity:
Tenacious. Color: RHS Grey-Purple 186A, approximately 80% to 95% of
skin. Fruit exposed to sunlight likely have a higher degree of
enhanced skin color. Ground color: RHS Yellow 5C. Tendency to
crack: None observed. Taste: No astringency observed. Epidermis:
Typical short pubescence. Flesh.--Ripens: evenly within each fruit.
Texture: smooth, firm, slow melting when fully ripe. Fibers: very
fine, small, tender, and abundant. Aroma: typical of commercial
peach varieties. Eating quality: excellent rich flavor with typical
acidity. Soluble solids content: approximately 8.6 to 13.7.degree.
Brix with the average of 11.5.degree. Brix when at approximately
3.4 to 6.2 kgf of penetrometer firmness (the average is 4.6 kgf)
with a standard 5.16-inch tip following a seven-day post-harvest
storage protocol. This characteristic varies slightly with fruit
number per tree, climatic conditions, cultural practices, and
ripening stages. Juice: moderately abundant. Color: RHS
Yellow-Orange 15C. Color of red flecks within flesh: RHS Orange-Red
34A. Color of flesh at pit: RHS Red 46A. Browning by oxidation:
none observed on tree ripe fruit beginning to soften. Amygdalin:
none undetected. Stone: Type.--Freestone. Size.--Generally medium
large. The stone size varies upon the tree vigor, crop load and
prevailing growing conditions. Length: approximately 33.1 to 37.2
millimeters with the average of 35.1 millimeters. Width:
approximately 22.7 to 26.8 millimeters with the average of 25.1
millimeters. Diameter: approximately 18.2 to 22.8 millimeters with
the average of 19.5 millimeters. Wall thickness.--Approximately 5.8
to 7.6 millimeters with the average of 6.7 millimeters. Color.--RHS
Red-Purple 59A when flesh is freshly cut. Form.--Oblong
Base.--Truncate. Apex.--Acute with cuspidate tip. Sides.--Unequal.
Surface.--Generally furrowed toward ventral edge. Tendency to
split.--None observed. Kernel.--Viable if stratified upon removal
from fruit at harvest, and without drying. Taste: bitter. Size:
Considered medium large. Length: approximately 15.9 to 19.0
millimeters with the average of 17.6 millimeters. Width:
approximately 10.2 to 12.4 millimeters with the average of 10.9
millimeters. Thickness: approximately 5.0 to 6.6 millimeters with
the average of 5.7 millimeters. Form: generally ovate with acute
tip and obtuse base. Color: RHS Yellow-Orange 16C. Use of the
fruit: Fresh, dessert. Keeping quality: Excellent after about two
weeks at approximately 2 to 8 degrees Celsius and with little
bruising or scarring appearing on skin. Shipping quality:
Considered very good. The fruit showed little bruising of the flesh
or skin damage after normal harvesting and packing procedures. The
fruit retained firmness and showed no internal breakdown of flesh
or appreciable loss of eating quality under refrigeration at
approximately 2 to 8 degrees Celsius indicates fruit should be
highly acceptable for shipping. Resistance to disease: High
resistance to bacterial spot incited by Xanthomonas campestris pv.
pruni. No unusual resistance or susceptibility to insects and
diseases was noted.
COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL CULTIVARS
When `Rich Joy` is compared to the female parent, `Fameprince`
(unpatented), the fruit are juicier, have more exterior red blush,
and ripen 2 weeks earlier. When `Rich Joy` is compared to the male
parent, BY87P0943 (unpatented), an open pollinated seedling of
`Blazeprince` (unpatented), the fruit are sweeter, have richer
flavor, have larger size, and ripen about 5-6 weeks later.
* * * * *