U.S. patent number PP32,617 [Application Number 16/501,886] was granted by the patent office on 2020-12-15 for hardy kiwi plant named `tango`.
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 Mark Demuth, Ralph Scorza.
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United States Patent |
PP32,617 |
Scorza , et al. |
December 15, 2020 |
Hardy kiwi plant named `Tango`
Abstract
A new hardy kiwi is of the variety denominated `Tango` Actinidia
chinensis Planch, originated from open pollination of A. chinensis
selections collected in Rome. This new kiwi can be distinguished by
its cold hardiness, high fruit quality, and relatively large fruit
size.
Inventors: |
Scorza; Ralph (Shepherdstown,
WV), Demuth; Mark (Kearneysville, WV) |
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: |
73746559 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/501,886 |
Filed: |
June 26, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
PLT/156 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01H
1/1225 (20210101); A01H 6/00 (20180501); A01H
5/08 (20130101); A01H 1/106 (20210101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01H
5/08 (20180101); A01H 6/00 (20180101) |
Field of
Search: |
;PLT/156 |
Primary Examiner: Bell; Kent L
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fado; John Atkinson; Ariel
Claims
We claim:
1. A new and distinct cultivar of hardy kiwi plant, substantially
as illustrated and described, characterized by its cold hardiness,
high fruit quality, and relatively large fruit size.
Description
Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: `Tango`
is a hardy kiwi that is an Actinidia chinensis Planch.
Variety denomination: The new hardy kiwi claimed is of the variety
denominated `Tango` Actinidia chinensis Planch.
BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT
The present invention relates to the discovery of a new and
distinct variety of kiwi known as Actinidia chinensis Planch., and
here referred to as `Tango` as herein described and illustrated.
This new and distinct variety of kiwi vine produces fruit of high
quality, of significantly larger size than the currently-grown cold
hardy species such as A. arguta and A. kolomikta, and fruit of
`Tango` can be stored for extended periods.
This new and distinct variety of kiwi originated at the USDA-ARS
Appalachian Fruit Research Station, Kearneysville, W. Va. from open
pollination of A. chinensis selections collected by A. Nicotra,
Istituto Sperimentale per la Frutticoltura, Rome. These original
selections were produced from seeds collected in Guanxi province,
China in 1988. One hundred and forty second generation seedlings
that originated from seed collected from 19 vines grown in Rome
were field planted at the USDA-ARS Appalachian Fruit Research
Station, Kearneysville, W. Va. in 1995. Only two vines survived the
cold winter temperatures between 1995 and 2015 with a recorded
lowest temperature recorded during that period of -21.degree. C. on
Jan. 23, 2014 (FIG. 1).
SUMMARY OF THE NEW PLANT
`Tango` differs from its parents and other Actinidia chinensis in
its combination of cold hardiness, high fruit quality, and
relatively large fruit size. In addition, it can be stored for
extended periods.
`Tango` was evaluated from 2002 through 2015 at one location, the
USDA-ARS Appalachian Fruit Research Station (39.3629.degree. N,
77.8633.degree. W). This location is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
6a with predicted low weather extremes of -10 to -5.degree. F.
(-23.3 to -20.5.degree. C.). `Tango` grew vigorously, was untrained
and received little pruning. No fruit thinning was practiced, and
no supplemental irrigation was applied, nor was fertilizer or
pesticides applied.
`Tango` fruited from 2002 through 2015 surviving winter
temperatures as low as -6.degree. F. (-21.1.degree. C.) (FIG. 1).
In 2004 fruit were harvested but yield data were not recorded. In
2012 the crop was reduced to a few fruits due to a severe spring
frost event during bloom. Bloom of `Tango` generally occurred
between May 1 and May 15 at the test location and `Tango` fruit
were harvested usually at the first frost, between the third week
in October and the first week of November. Over 12 years of fruit
evaluation, fruit length averaged 4.3 cm, diameter 3.5 cm and
weight 35.0 g. Brix as a measure of sweetness at harvest ranged
from 7.2 to 15.4 (FIG. 3). Fruit flesh tends towards a green color,
(yellow-green 144C, Royal Horticulture Society, London) at harvest.
Fruit can be stored at 5.degree. C. following harvest for extended
periods up to 90 days.
`Tango` has been propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings using a
modification of the method described by Sim and Lawes (1981).
Cuttings were dipped in 3500 ppm IBA derived from Woods Rooting
Compound (Earth Science Products, Aurora, Oreg.) and stuck into
flats containing 70% potting mix (Metro-Mix 510, Sun Gro,
Vancouver, Canada) and 30% coarse perlite. Flats were covered with
a humidity dome and placed into a reach-in growth chamber
(Conviron, Winnipeg, Canada) set for a 16 hour daylength at
20.degree. C. with 70-80% relative humidity. Seventy percent
rooting was achieved in 3 weeks.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
This new hardy kiwi plant is illustrated by the accompanying
figures that show the flowers, fruit and entire plants; the colors
shown in the photographs are as true as can be reasonably obtained
by conventional photographic procedures.
FIG. 1 shows the yield of `Tango` kiwi fruit over a 14-year period.
In 2004 fruit were harvested but yield data was not recorded. In
2012 the crop was reduced to a few fruit due to a severe frost
event during bloom. Extreme low temperature dates in all years
occurred between December 6 and February 24.
FIG. 2 shows a comparison of the fruit of Actinidia chinensis
`Tango` (left and right) with commercial kiwifruit A. deliciosa
(middle).
FIG. 3 shows `Tango` plant fruit and foliage.
FIG. 4 shows `Tango` fruit growing on the plant.
FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B show whole and cross-sectioned fruit of `Tango`
cut lengthwise (5A) and crosswise (5B).
FIG. 6 shows a single flower of `Tango` on the plant in the
field.
FIG. 7 shows open flowers and a flower bud of `Tango` on a cutting
taken in the lab.
FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C show pictures of `Tango` plants with full
foliage in June of 2019.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR
The following description of `Tango` is based on observations taken
over a 14-year evaluation period in Kearneysville, W. Va. 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. `Tango` 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
Ed., 2001). Leaf color: Adaxial.--Mostly green group 141A, some
areas 141B. Abaxial.--Mostly greyed-green group 191A, some areas
191B. Leaf vein color: Adaxial.--Yellow-green 153D.
Abaxial.--Greyed-yellow 160C, covered in fine pubescence
green-white 157B. Large veins often traced with pubescence of
greyed-orange 164C. Petiole color: Greyed green 193B, covered in
fine pubescence greyed-orange N170D on sun exposed surface,
greyed-orange N167C on shaded surface. Petiole: Length
(mm).--109.2. Width (mm).--3.9. Leaf shape: Broadly cordate.
Apex.--Acuminate, occasionally obcordate. Base.--Cordate.
Margin.--Ciliate. Leaf surface: Adaxial.--Glabrous.
Abaxial.--Tomentose. Leaf blade size: Length (mm).--123.9. Width
(mm).--140.8. Thickness (mm).--0.44. Area (mm.sup.2).--14377.0.
Inflorescence: Solitary, very rarely cymes. Flower diameter: (mm)
35.5. Flowers are fragrant. Petal shape: Broadly ovate. Petal
color: Adaxial.--White 155C. base of petal white 155A, 144C at
point of attachment. Abaxial.--White 155C, base of petal
yellow-green 144C at point of attachment. Petals become orange 25 C
at petal fall. Petal size (mm): Length.--18.7. Width.--17.3. Petal
number: 6. Calyx: Sepals cupped. Sepal color: Green 138D, margins
and apex grey-orange N167A becoming greyed-brown 199D at fruit
maturity. Sepal size (mm): Length.--7.8. Width.--5.4. Number.--6.
Pedicle color: Yellow-green 145C, becoming greyed-brown 199A at
fruit maturity. Pedicle size (mm): Length.--31.6. Diameter.--1.3.
Stigma: Stigma color.--White 155C. Stigma numbers.--27. Stigma
size.--Diameter (mm) 0.33. Style: Style numbers.--27. Style size
(mm).--Length 5.7. Diameter 0.33. Anther: Anther
color.--Yellow-orange 11A, occasionally 17D. Becoming yellow-orange
14A at petal fall. Anther size (mm).--Length 2.2. Diameter 1.1.
Filament: Filament color.--White, 155C, becoming green 144C at
base. Filament length (mm).--6.9. Pollen: Yellow 8D, non-viable.
Ovary: Ovary color.--White N155C, covered with pubescence white
N155D. Ovary size (mm).--Length 5.5. Length 5.7. Fruit: Skin color:
mostly yellow-green 144B, some areas yellow-green 144A. Skin
covered in fine downy pubescence of greyed-orange 165B. Lenticels:
Abundant, small, greyed-orange 164B. Lenticel density:
3.9/cm.sup.2. Fruit color: Flesh.--Outer pericarp yellow-green 144C
with rays of yellow-green 144D. Inner pericarp: yellow-green 144B.
Core.--Yellow-green 144D. Seeds.--Mature seeds are brown group
200D, some are brown 200C. Less mature seeds are greyed-orange
165A. Fruit size (mm): Length.--43. Diameter.--35. Fruit weight
(g): 35. Fruit quality: At harvest .degree. brix as a measure of
sweetness ranged from 7.6 to 15.4 from years 2002 to 2015. Seed:
Elliptical, glossy, entire surface is dimpled. Seed size (mm):
Length.--2.3. Width.--1.3. Thickness.--0.9. Seed weight (g): 0.019
per 15 seeds. Vigor: Moderately vigorous to vigorous. Shoot: Length
(m) end of growing season.--1.8. Caliper (mm).--9.5. Color:
Yellow-green 144B, becoming greyed-orange 174A on sun exposed
surfaces. Covered in dense hairs of greyed-orange N176B. 1-year-old
shoots are greyed-orange 165A. Lenticels: Length (mm).--2.3. Width
(mm).--0.44. Density.--(0.5 cm.sup.2) 3.86. Color.--Greyed-brown
199C. Trunk: Bark, becoming very rough with by year 5. Bark
color.--2-year-old wood brown 200A, some areas of brown. 3-year-old
wood brown N200A. >5-year-old wood brown N200B, some areas brown
201B.
COMPARISON WITH COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS
The size of the fruit of `Tango` (length 4.3 cm, diameter 3.5 cm
and weight 35.0 g) compares with commercially produced `Hayward`
(Actinidia deliciosa) measuring 7 cm in length and 5 cm in
diameter, and 85-115 g weight (Cruz-Castillo et al., 1999; Minchin
et al. 2010); with A. chinensis `Hort16A` (ZESPRI.TM. GOLD), 76-84
inm in length, width 47-55 mm, weight 43-176 g (U.S. Plant Pat. No.
11,066); and with grape-sized cold hardy A. arguta with fruit
weight of 5-12 g (Kepler and Kabaluk, 1995; Pescie and Strik, 2004;
Williams et al., 2003). Fruit yield of `Tango` averaged 25.7
kg/year over the 12-year fruiting test period (FIG. 1) compared
with a recorded yield of 32.5 kg/vine for unthinned A. arguta
(Pescie and Strik, 2004).
`Tango` differs from its parents and other Actinidia chinensis in
its combination of cold hardiness, high fruit quality, and
relatively large fruit size. In addition, it can be stored for
extended periods.
* * * * *