U.S. patent number PP31,194 [Application Number 16/350,684] was granted by the patent office on 2019-12-10 for peach tree named `crimson 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.
United States Patent |
PP31,194 |
Chen , et al. |
December 10, 2019 |
Peach tree named `Crimson Joy`
Abstract
A new and distinct variety of peach tree, denominated `Crimson
Joy`, has firm, freestone, melting, yellow flesh fruit with normal
acidity, and good eating quality. The fruit typically ripen
approximately with `Harvester` and about one week after `GaLa` in
early to mid-June in Byron, Ga., have a high percentage of red
blush with an attractive yellow ground color on skin surface, and
usually are almost round. 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 700 chill
hours and is suited for medium to 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 (Washintgon,
DC)
|
Family
ID: |
68765974 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/350,684 |
Filed: |
December 19, 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/198 |
Primary Examiner: Para; Annette H
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 medium high chilling requirement and
bearing fruit having, yellow-fleshed fruit with normal acidity and
melting, freestone with excellent eating quality a high percentage
of red blush with an attractive yellow ground color, with fruit
ripening in early to mid-June in Byron, Ga.
Description
Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: `Crimson
Joy` is a peach tree that is a Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.
Variety denomination: The new peach tree is of the variety
denominated `Crimson Joy`.
BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT
The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of
fresh-market peach designated `Crimson Joy` and botanically known
as Prunus persica (L.) Batsch. This new peach tree is adapted to a
Southeastern subtropical climate with medium high chill in winters.
`Crimson Joy` variety resulted from open-pollination of BY96P3423
(an advanced selection, unpatented) yellow peach, which resulted
from a hand-pollinated cross between `Blazeprince` (the seed
parent, unpatented) and BY91P2435 (an advanced selection, the
pollen parent, unpatented) yellow peaches. `Crimson Joy` variety
was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on
`Guardian`.RTM. rootstock trees. It has desired chilling
requirement (.about.700 hours, alternative to other main-season
cultivars) and cropped relatively well in years with inadequate
chill and spring freezes, making it less vulnerable to the adverse
weather conditions in Byron, Ga. and worthy for trial for
commercial fresh fruit production. Clonal plants were asexually
propagated from the original `Crimson 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 `Crimson Joy` tree. There are no known effects of the
standard rootstock on the scion cultivar characteristics.
`Crimson Joy`, produces firm, semi-freestone, melting, yellow-flesh
fruit with normal acidity, good eating quality, and attractive
blush, ripening in early to mid-June in Byron, Ga. `Crimson Joy` is
a promising candidate for commercial success in that it appears
less vulnerable to inadequate chill and spring freezes in Byron,
Ga., based on data in years with the conditions.
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 `Crimson Joy` peach tree blooms late
February to early March, approximately slight before or with
`Sunland` (unpatented) and slightly before `GaLa` (unpatented)
peach trees in Byron, Ga. The estimated chilling requirement, based
on bloom time, is approximately 700 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 `Crimson Joy` ripen generally in early to
mid-June in Byron, Ga., approximately in the season of `Harvester`
(unpatented) and `Redhaven` (unpatented) and one week after `GaLa`
(unpatented). `Crimson Joy` trees are vigorous and productive, size
well if not overcropped, and crop reliably. `Crimson Joy` fruit
have melting texture, good eating quality, and more blush coverage
(approximately 90-100% red skin) than `Harvester` (unpatented),
`Redhaven` (unpatented), and `GaLa` (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 `Crimson
Joy` fruit is high, due to its attractive blush, reliable cropping
characteristic, slightly lower chilling requirement, and less
vulnerability to inadequate chill and spring freeze in Byron, Ga.,
compared to several other commercial cultivars ripening the same
harvest window.
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 `Crimson 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 `Crimson
Joy` fruit in a back side view (top left), a suture side view (top
middle), a stem end view (bottom left), a blossom end view (bottom
middle), and a fruit longitudinally cut into halves with and
without the pit (top right and bottom right). 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 `Crimson 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 8-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 average height and width of 8-year-old tree are 2.80
meters and 4.60 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. Trees respond
typically to irrigation and fertilization in the orchards at Byron,
Ga. 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 700 chill hours based on time of bloom and leafing
in relation to standard varieties. Trunk: Size.--Approximately 18.0
cm in diameter and at a height of approximately 280.0 centimeters
on the 8-year-old trees at Byron, Ga. Bark texture.--Generally
smooth, but changes to light shaggy as tree ages. Bark color.--RHS
Greyed-Green Group 197A. Bark crack's color is RHS Brown Group
200C. 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 6.78 millimeters and 2.43
millimeters, respectively. Lenticel color.--RHS Greyed-Orange Group
197D. Branches: Size.--Average as compared to other peach
varieties. Strong growth of scaffold branches. The current season
mature fruiting branches have a diameter from 6.0 to 8.4
millimeters, and the average diameter is 7.09 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 1.7 to
2.9 centimeters with the average of 2.31 centimeters. Color of
current season shoots.--RHS Greyed-Orange Group 176C at the upper
part (sunny side) of the shoots and RHS Yellow-Green Group 145B at
the lower part (shady side) of the shoots. Color of mature
branches.--RHS Greyed-Orange Group 177A at the upper part (sunny
side) of the shoots and RHS Greyed-Orange Group 177B at the lower
part (shady side) of the shoots. Leaves: Size.--Considered medium
to large for the species. Length.--Approximately 15.4 to 18.9
centimeters with the average of 16.77 centimeters, not including
the petiole. Width.--Approximately 2.7 to 3.3 centimeters with the
average of 3.07 centimeters. Thickness.--Regular and average for
commercial varieties, approximately 0.16 to 0.19 millimeters with
the average of 0.18 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 137B and lower surface is RHS Yellow-Green Group
147B. Leaf vein is RHS Yellow-Green Group 150D. Glands.--Reniform.
Usually 0-2 on lower leaf blade and 0-2 on petioles. Color is RHS
Yellow-Green Group 146B. Petiole.--Approximately 9.2 to 12.8
millimeters length with the average of 10.23 millimeters,
approximately 1.6 to 2.0 millimeters diameter with the average of
1.77 millimeters. Color is RHS Yellow-Green Group 146B.
Stipules.--Medium, equal to most commercial peach varieties,
visible on early young leaves, usually about 2 per leaf, and
abscising just before leaves become 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 6.5 to 7.3 millimeters long with the
average of 6.81 millimeters and 3.5 to 4.3 millimeters wide with
the average of 4.00 millimeters. The bud color in mid-winter is RHS
Greyed-Green Group 198A. 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.--Late February to early March depending on winter chill
hours and amount of warm weather. Blooming time.--Considered early
in bloom relative to other commercial peaches in central Georgia.
Typically blooms slightly before or with `Sunland` and slightly
before `GaLa`. Duration of bloom.--Approximately 6 to 14 days. This
characteristic varies significantly with chill hours accumulated in
winter 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. Type.--Showy. Size.--Approximately
36.0 to 51.0 millimeters in diameter at full bloom, with the
average of 44.30 millimeters. Petal.--Size: Generally considered
large. Length: approximately 21.2 to 23.6 millimeters with the
average of 22.52 millimeters. Width: approximately 13.3 to 17.1
millimeters with the average of 15.51 millimeters. Form: generally
round-shaped. Count: almost always five. Arrangement: usually free,
sometimes touching. Texture: smooth, soft and glabrous. Color: RHS
Red-Purple Group 62C in both the upper and lower surface. Margins:
generally slightly undulating. Apex: generally round and
curved-shaped. Pedicel.--Length: approximately 4.1 to 8.3
millimeters with the average of 5.46 millimeters. Diameter:
approximately 1.5 to 1.9 millimeters with the average of 1.71
millimeters. Calyx cup.--Diameter: approximately 15.3 to 17.6
millimeters with the average of 16.47 millimeters. Color: RHS Green
Group 139D at the interior surface and Red-Purple Group 59B at the
exterior surface. Sepals.--Number: generally five sepals. Length:
approximately 6.3 to 7.4 millimeters with the average of 6.94
millimeters. Width: approximately 4.8 to 6.0 millimeters with the
average of 5.53 millimeters. Color: RHS Red-Purple Group 59B.
Stamen number.--Approximately 31 to 45 stamens per flower with the
average of 37.40. Anthers.--Color: RHS Red Group 53B at opening.
Pollens.--Generally abundant and approximately RHS Yellow Group
15C. Filaments.--Length at opening: approximately 10.0 to 12.4
millimeters with the average of 11.24 millimeters. The length of
filaments is generally higher than that of pistils. Color: RHS
Yellow-Green Group 150D. Pistil.--Number: Usually one. Length:
approximately 8.2 to 12.2 millimeters with the average of 10.20
millimeters and generally equal to stamen length, if not slightly
smaller. Color: RHS Yellow-Green Group 150C. Fruit: Maturity when
described.--Firm ripe for commercial picking. Date of
harvest.--Vary slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.
Harvest in 2018 at Byron, Ga. was June 13 until June 20.
Size.--Generally uniform, medium to large size. Weight:
approximately 145.7 to 182.8 grams with the average of 163.67
grams. Equatorial diameter: approximately 60.3 to 72.4 millimeters
with the average of 66.63 millimeters. Polar diameter (from stem to
distal end): approximately 64.3 to 76.5 millimeters with the
average of 70.91 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 4.0 to 5.3 millimeters
with the average of 4.62 millimeters. Width: approximately 2.3 to
3.7 millimeters with the average of 2.91 millimeters. Color: RHS
Green Group 138D. Longitudinal section form.--Round, slightly
squat. Transverse section through diameter.--Generally round.
Suture.--Slightly ridged on suture. Ventral surface.--Generally
smooth, round. Shape of fruit base.--Round to slightly cordate.
Apex.--Round to obtuse. Crater at stem attachment.--Flaring oval to
the suture. Depth: approximately 11.0 to 15.0 millimeters with the
average of 13.30 millimeters. Width at top (cheek to cheek):
approximately 21.0 to 32.0 millimeters with the average of 26.3
millimeters. Width at top (suture to back): approximately 29.0 to
40.0 millimeters with the average of 32.9 millimeters. Width at
bottom (pedicel attachment): approximately 5.4 to 6.6 millimeters
with the average of 5.89 millimeters. Skin.--Thickness: generally
medium in comparison to commercial peach varieties. Texture:
generally typical of commercial peach varieties. Tenacity:
Tenacious. Color: RHS Grey-Purple 187A, approximately 85% to 95% of
skin. Fruit exposed to sunlight likely have a higher degree of
enhanced skin color. Ground color: RHS Yellow 2C. Tendency to
crack: None observed. Taste: No astringency observed. Epidermis:
Typical short pubescence. Flesh.--Ripens: evenly within each fruit.
Texture: smooth, firm, melting, and juicy when fully ripe. Fibers:
very fine, small, tender, and abundant. Aroma: moderate and typical
of commercial peach varieties. Eating quality: excellent flavor
with typical acidity for fresh market. Soluble solids content:
approximately 10.2 to 11.9.degree. Brix with the average of
11.35.degree. Brix when at approximately 1.9 to 8.4 kgf of
penetrometer firmness (the average is 5.07 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.
Color: RHS Yellow-Orange Group 17D. Color of red flecks within
flesh: RHS Red Group 42B. Color of flesh at pit: RHS Yellow-Orange
Group 17D. Browning by oxidation: none observed on tree ripe fruit
beginning to soften. Amygdalin: none detected. Stone:
Type.--Semi-freestone to freestone. Size.--Generally medium large.
The stone size varies upon the tree vigor, crop load and prevailing
growing conditions. Length: approximately 29.2 to 35.9 millimeters
with the average of 31.39 millimeters. Width: approximately 16.0 to
24.2 millimeters with the average of 21.78 millimeters. Diameter:
approximately 16.1 to 17.8 millimeters with the average of 17.17
millimeters. Wall thickness.--Approximately 4.5 to 6.9 millimeters
with the average of 5.55 millimeters. Color.--RHS Greyed-Orange
172B when flesh is freshly cut. Form.--Oblong. Base.--Straight.
Apex.--Acute. Sides.--Generally equal. Surface.--Generally furrowed
toward ventral edge, smooth on dorsal edge and lighted pitted from
base to apex. 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
14.8 to 17.7 millimeters with the average of 16.7 millimeters.
Width: approximately 8.2 to 10.7 millimeters with the average of
9.45 millimeters. Thickness: approximately 5.2 to 8.4 millimeters
with the average of 5.87 millimeters. Form: generally acute apex
with acute, sometimes straight base. Color: RHS Yellow-White 158B.
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: Moderate to
high resistance to bacterial spot incited by Xanthomonas campestris
pv. pruni. No unusual resistance or susceptibility to insects and
diseases was noted.
* * * * *