U.S. patent number PP34,010 [Application Number 16/602,150] was granted by the patent office on 2022-03-15 for pongamia tree named `k206`.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Terviva, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is TerViva, Inc.. Invention is credited to Naidu Bodapati, David Harry, Marshall Mackay, Naveen Sikka.
United States Patent |
PP34,010 |
Bodapati , et al. |
March 15, 2022 |
Pongamia tree named `K206`
Abstract
A new and distinct variety of Pongamia tree (Pongamia pinnata
(L) Pierre) named `K206` is provided herein. Pongamia tree `K206`
is distinguished by having an open canopy, medium sized leaves with
olive green color, short current season's twigs, long
inflorescences, and abundant production of seed pods coupled with
the high oil content of the seeds.
Inventors: |
Bodapati; Naidu (Riverhills,
AU), Mackay; Marshall (Tewantin, AU),
Sikka; Naveen (Oakland, CA), Harry; David (Philomath,
OR) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TerViva, Inc. |
Oakland |
CA |
US |
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Assignee: |
Terviva, Inc. (Oakland,
CA)
|
Family
ID: |
69583612 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/602,150 |
Filed: |
August 14, 2019 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20200068764 P1 |
Feb 27, 2020 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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62722102 |
Aug 23, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
PLT/216 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01H
6/54 (20180501) |
Current International
Class: |
A01H
5/00 (20180101); A01H 6/54 (20180101) |
Field of
Search: |
;PLT/216 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
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PP26060 |
November 2015 |
Bodapati et al. |
PP26061 |
November 2015 |
Bodapati et al. |
PP26062 |
November 2015 |
Bodapati et al. |
|
Other References
Biswas et al. (Int. J. Mol. Sci. 15: 7380-7397, 2014). cited by
examiner .
Statement of claim filed in the Supreme Court of Queensland by
Bioenergy Plantations Australia Pty Ltd. dated Oct. 9, 2020, 15
pages. cited by applicant.
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Primary Examiner: Robinson; Keith O.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Morrison & Foerster LLP
Claims
We claim:
1. A new and distinct variety of Pongamia pinnata (L) Pierre tree
named `K206` as illustrated and described herein.
Description
Latin name: Botanical classification: Pongamia pinnata (L)
Pierre.
Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed
variety of Pongamia tree is `K206`.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pongamia is a species of tree that belongs to the Fabaceae family
of plants. The botanical classification of Pongamia is Pongamia
pinnata (L) Pierre, although these plants are also known by a
number of synonymous botanical classifications including, for
example, Millettia pinnata (L) Panigrahi, Derris indica (Lam.)
Bennet, Pongamia glabra Vent, and Cytisus pinnatus (L).
As a member of the Fabaceae family of plants, Pongamia trees are
legumes and are capable of fixing their own nitrogen. Pongamia can
grow well in a variety of environmental conditions, including areas
with malnourished soil. Pongamia seeds also contain a profile of
chemicals having a number of uses including, for example,
commercial preparation into skin ointment and as a fuel source.
Pongamia trees are capable of growing in otherwise challenging
environmental conditions and produce seed oils with beneficial
properties. There exists a need for Pongamia varieties that are
stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to meet these needs, the present disclosure is directed to
an improved variety of Pongamia tree. In particular, the disclosure
relates to a new and distinct variety of Pongamia tree (Pongamia
pinnata (L) Pierre), which has been denominated as `K206`.
Pongamia tree `K206` was discovered growing in a cultivated area in
southeastern Queensland, Australia, wherein it and neighboring
trees are grown for shade and other landscape amenities. The
parentage of this tree is unknown, as is typical for trees
cultivated in landscape plantings of this type.
The original donor tree (and source of clonal material) of `K206`
was identified and selected primarily on the basis of its
consistent production of large and abundant seed pods, coupled with
the high oil content (38.4%, dry-weight basis) of its large seeds.
This selected individual was assigned identity number `K206`.
Subsequently, branch cuttings were collected from the donor tree
and rooted by treating the cuttings with the rooting hormone
indolebutyric acid (IBA) using either an aqueous solution of IBA
(500 ppm) or a commercially available rooting powder. Dehydration
of the cuttings was avoided by placing them in moistened rooting
medium within a humid enclosed chamber. Rooting success varies from
one collection event to another, which is normal for cuttings from
mature trees. Typically, 10% or more of the cuttings initiated root
development within 3-4 weeks.
Pongamia tree `K206` has been asexually reproduced via rooted
cuttings in the Brisbane area of Queensland, Australia, as well as
in Texas and Florida, U.S.A. In addition, shoots of `K206` have
also been grafted onto seedling rootstock using either a top-cleft
graft or a side-veneer graft. These asexually propagated plants
remain true-to-type, and show considerable resemblance among one
another after accounting for variation in overall size of the
propagated cuttings and seedling rootstocks.
Pongamia tree `K206` is particularly and distinctly characterized
by its open canopy, upright branchlets, short current season's
branches bearing long inflorescences, and copious quantities of
fruit pods containing seeds with high seed-oil content (38.4%,
dry-weight basis). Pods tend to appear in dense clusters. `K206`
demonstrates excellent vigor, with casual observations suggesting
it is reasonably resistant to insect and disease pests, at least
relative to other Pongamia trees growing in the general vicinity.
However, susceptibility or resistance to specific insect and
disease pests has not been determined.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Pongamia tree `K206` is illustrated by the accompanying
photographs, which show e.g. the plant's form, branches, foliage,
leaves, trunk, pods, and seeds as specifically described below. The
colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by
conventional photographic procedures.
FIG. 1 illustrates a view of the whole tree of Pongamia tree `K206`
in Queensland, Australia. The depicted tree was estimated to be
15-20 years old when photographed.
FIG. 2 illustrates a view of the whole tree of Pongamia tree `K206`
in Queensland, Australia. The depicted tree was estimated to be
15-20 years old when photographed.
FIG. 3 illustrates a view of the tree trunk of Pongamia tree `K206`
in Queensland, Australia. The depicted tree was estimated to be
15-20 years old when photographed.
FIG. 4 illustrates a view of a 5-year-old clonally propagated
`K206` tree in Florida, USA.
FIG. 5 illustrates a 5-year-old clonally propagated `K206` tree in
Florida with the smooth bark on the main trunk. Mottled patches on
the bark primarily reflect differences in lichen growth. Stretched
lenticular scars appear as horizontal striations along the
bark.
FIG. 6 illustrates the short current season's branchlets and
odd-pinnately compound leaves from a 5-year-old clonally propagated
Florida-grown `K206` tree. The compound leaves generally have 7
leaflets. The leaflet at the bottom (right) is oriented to show the
underside.
FIG. 7 illustrates the irregular branching pattern arising from the
leaf axils and short current season's twigs from a 5-year-old
clonally propagated Florida-grown `K206` tree. Leaves were removed
for clarity.
FIG. 8 illustrates the long inflorescences from a 5-year-old
clonally propagated Florida-grown `K206` tree.
FIG. 9 illustrates semi-mature pods along with fully mature dry
pods of a 5-year-old clonally propagated Florida-grown Pongamia
tree `K206`. Dry pods are split open to show seed. The branch shown
has 4 rachises borne in the axils of basal leaves. Each rachis
bears 3-6 immature pods. Leaves were removed for clarity.
DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT
The following detailed description sets forth the phenotypic
characteristics and the distinctive features of Pongamia tree
`K206`. Descriptions are from trees that are 5 years
post-transplant into the field in Florida, USA unless otherwise
noted. Standardized color designations herein are with reference to
The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Mini Colour Chart, Sixth
Edition, 2015. Classification: Family.--Fabaceae.
Botanical.--Pongamia pinnata (L) Pierre. Common name.--Pongam tree,
pongam oiltree, or Pongamia. Tree: Size.--Vigorous tree of moderate
size and stature, 7 m in height. Crown diameter, measured at the
drip-line in two dimensions, is 5 m.times.6 m. Trunk.--The trunk of
a 5-year-old Florida tree is bifurcated at a height of 60 cm from
the ground, with the average breast-height diameter of these two
major stems measuring 9 cm. The trunk can have numerous epicormic
branches at its base, however, this trait is somewhat variable
among different trees. On 5-year-old trees in Florida, epicormic
branches numbered 0-4 along 61 cm of basil trunk, averaging 3. The
fresh vegetative growth on an epicormic shoot ranges from 15 cm to
50 cm long and from about 3.5 mm to 8.0 mm in diameter.
Bark.--Light olive grey in color (RHS 197B) with smooth or faintly
vertically fissured bark on the main trunk. Light-colored greyish
yellow green (RHS 197D) and dark-colored greyish yellow green (RHS
198A) mottled patches on the bark reflect differences in lichen
growth. Form.--Decurrent crown form with younger open-grown trees
having greater breadth than height. Average height of five
four-year-old trees in Florida was 3.0 m (range of 2.2 to 3.4 m)
whereas their average crown width was 6.1 m (range of 5.8 to 6.6
m). The canopy is characterized by open foilage and upright outer
branchlets. Periodic pruning may be used for size maintenance.
Branches Branch numbers and dimensions.--Primary branches from the
main stem are stout. On a 5-year-old tree in Florida, the average
breast-height diameter of two major branches (bifurcated from the
main trunk at 60 cm above the ground) is 9 cm. Height of primary
branching often reflects management activities because a clear
basal stem is preferred. In a second Florida field, with 4-year-old
trees, 3 primary branches occur at approximately 80-90 cm above the
ground, and average 6.3 cm in diameter (range 5.6 to 7.2 cm). The
bark color of these primary branches closely resembles the color of
the main trunk (greyish yellow green, RHS 196A). Branching
habit.--Many smaller branches occur on the periphery of the crown,
but are too numerous to count. These peripheral branches result in
a semi-dense canopy (e.g. in comparison to Pongamia variety `K207`
(U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 16/602,152)) that arises,
in part, from a reduced tendency (relative to `K207`) of axillary
buds to elongate into axillary shoots along year-old shoots (i.e.
wood from the previous year). Averaged over three branches on each
of three trees, the outermost meter of year-old stem encompassed
19.3 nodes, with on average only one elongating to form an axillary
shoot. Buds and shoots.--Young shoots emerge from naked lateral
buds, with the most distal bud (a false terminal bud) giving rise
to a terminal shoot. Buds are hemispherical and range from 2.5 mm
to 4.5 mm wide at their base. Buds protrude outward 1.5 mm to 3.0
mm from the stem and are between 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm thick. The
typical axillary bud is strong yellow green in color (RHS 143A),
and the younger terminal bud is strong yellow green in color (RHS
144A). Terminal shoots.--The seasonal elongation of terminal shoots
on main branches is moderate, with an average of 20 cm and
encompassing 7 leaf nodes. The average stem diameter of terminal
shoots is 12.5 mm. Lateral shoots.--Seasonal elongation of lateral
shoots is considerably short, with an average length of 20 cm and
bearing 6 leaf nodes. The average diameter of lateral shoots is 3.5
mm. Shoot and twig surfaces.--Woody twigs have leaf scars that are
3.5 mm to 4.0 mm wide, showing traces of three vascular bundles.
The central scar tends to have a border that is less distinct than
the outer two. Stipule scars are pale orange yellow (RHS 159C). The
youngest shoots are hairless and distinctly strong yellow green in
color (RHS 143A) and flexible, with no lenticels apparent to the
naked eye. As shoots mature, their color shifts to light greyish
olive (RHS 195A) and prominent lenticels become visible as raised,
light yellow-colored (RHS 162C) corky circles approximately 1.5 mm
in diameter. Leaves: General.--Alternate, imparipinnate with long
slender leafstalk, and hairless. Most leaves show 7 leaflets. Size
and shape.--The outline of a compound leaf is roughly oval to
elliptic, with an average length of 25 cm and an average width of
15 cm. Leaflets.--Blades of individual leaflets are ovate to
cordate in shape with a cuspidate to mucronate apex. Leaflet
venation tends to be arcuate. Blades of terminal leaflets have an
average length of 8 cm and an average width of 6 cm. The smallest
leaflet on a leaf tends to be a basal leaflet with an average
length of 7 cm and an average width of 5 cm. Leaflet color,
surface, and texture.--Leaflets are glabrous on both abaxial and
adaxial surfaces. Young leaves exhibit a strikingly glossy cuticle
on their adaxial surface. The adaxial (upper) and abaxial surface
of a young leaflet is strong yellow green in color (RHS 144A). The
adaxial surface of an old leaf is moderate olive green in color
(RHS 137A), and the abaxial surface of an older leaflet is moderate
hellow green in color (RHS 137C) with prominent veins beneath. The
color changes described above accompany the gradual maturation of
younder to older leaves (and leaflets), occurring over several
(3-5) weeks, depending on the season. As they mature, leaves and
leaflets also become increasingly sclerophyllous. Stipules.--A pair
of small stipules subtends the youngest leaves on a shoot. Stipules
are strong yellow green (RHS 144B) and are approximately 10 mm long
by 3 mm wide, with a glabrous surface and entire margins. Stipules
remain for only a short duration before they dehisce. Flowers and
inflorescences: General.--Hermaphroditic florets are borne on an
indeterminate inflorescence. Inflorescence structure.--Several
florets are clustered into a fascicle node, which are generally
evenly distributed along a rachis. The entire inflorescence is a
pseudoraceme. Most inflorescences are unbranched, but some are
branched. Position in crown.--`K206` has relatively long
inflorescences with an average length of 19 cm. There are an
average of 4 inflorescences per lateral shoot. Inflorescences are
borne in the basal leaf axils of the current year's vegetative
flush, near the distal end of the prior year's shoot growth. Each
rachis may hold an average of 95 florets. Florets.--Emerge
acropetally from a fused ovoid calyx with entire margins and
glabrous texture. The calyx has an average depth of 4.0 mm and
width of 4.5 mm, and is greyish red in color (RHS 176A) on both the
inner and outer surfaces. The average length of pedicles is 7.0 mm
and the average diameter is 0.5 mm. Pedicels can be dark purple
(RHS 83A). Zygomorphic florets consist of 2 keel, 2 wing, and a
standard (or banner) petal, and have a depth of 12.1 mm and a
diameter of 10.5 mm. The banner petal is very light purple in color
(RHS 75C) towards the edges; and has a strong yellow green (RHS
144A) streak in the middle. The banner petal's apex shows a notch,
and the base is rounded. Wing petals are typically 7.7 mm long and
the exposed part is moderate purplish pink in color (RHS N74D). The
two keel petals are fused together enclosing the stamens and
pistil, it is white in color (RHS NN155B), and the distal edges
display moderate yellow color (RHS 161A). The 10 stamens are fused
and enclose the pistil. Flowering period.--Relative to other
Pongamia cultivars in the general area, `K206` tends to flower
about mid-range into the flowering period (from November to
December in southeastern Queensland, Australia; and early-mid June
in Florida, USA). Fruits: General.--Only one of the two ovules
develop into a seed in most of the pods. Immediately after
fertilization, the peduncular ovule usually aborts and remains as a
small unfilled seed. Only the stigmatic ovule develops into seed,
thus pods usually bear a single seed. Shape and color.--Developing
fruits first appear as moderate yellow green (RHS 146C) flattened
pods, expanding in size into a moderate orange yellow (RHS 164B)
woody appearance when pods mature. Crown distribution.--Pods can
occur throughout the crown, but are most prevalent towards the
outer portions of the crown. Fruit clusters.--Pods within a cluster
are connected by the rachis of the inflorescence from which they
developed, with an average of 8 pods/bunch. Pod
dimensions.--Average length of the pod is 33.6 mm, average width of
the pod is 18.2 mm, and average thickness of the pod is 9.5 mm.
Pods range in shape from oval to half-moon, with an acuminate tip,
and average 3.5 g in weight. Seeds: General.--Typically borne
singly in pods. Sometimes an aborted (and much smaller) seed occurs
alongside a fully-formed seed. About 1-5% of the pods may have two
seeds. Seed coat.--Seeds are covered by a thin seed coat that is
usually moderate orange yellow in color (RHS 165C) when matured.
Seed size.--Average seed length is 22.3 mm, average seed width is
13.6 mm, and average seed thickness is 5.8 mm. Average seed weight
is 1.9 g. Seed oil.--Oil content is 38.4% oil on a dry-weight
basis, which is higher than many other Pongamia cultivars. Nut
crop.--Mostly a regular bearer (generally in 2 of 3 years). Crop
frequency.--Most Pongamia cultivars rarely produce abundant nut
crops consistently across multiple years. `K206` bears pods more
regularly than many other cultivars, generally producing a heavier
crop in 2 out of 3 years, and a somewhat lighter crop in the third
year. Ripening.--Fruit ripening begins in late October and extends
into December in southeast Queensland, Australia, and from
June-July in Florida, USA. If undisturbed, pods remain in the crown
for several weeks after they ripen.
COMPARISON WITH SIMILAR VARIETIES
Unlike Pongamia cultivars `K128b (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,062),
`K140` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,060), and `K606` (U.S. Plant Pat.
No. 26,061), `K206` has a tendency to produce higher yields of pods
in about 2 of 3 years, with pod yields in the third year being
somewhat less. This pattern of pod yield tends to resemble the
yield pattern of cultivar `K207` (U.S. Plant patent application
Ser. No. 16/602,152), although not necessarily during coincident
years.
Seed oil content of `K206`, at 38.4% (dry-weight basis), is similar
to that of `K128b` (38.5%) and `K606` (38.6%), and is less than
that of `K207` (40.6%) and `K140` (41.4%).
Inflorescences of `K206` are long and generally contain large
numbers of florets (averaging 95) as compared to cultivars `K128b`,
`K140`, `K606`, and `K207`.
`K206` is similar to `K606` in showing more vertically (upright)
oriented branchlets than semi-pendulous branchlets (as found in
`K128b` and `K207`) and very pendulous branchlets (as found in
`K140`). This gives trees a more open canopy and allows more
sunlight to reach leaves in the more interior portions of the
canopy.
On `K206` trees, relatively few axillary buds elongate and develop
into current season's branchlets. This contrasts with `K207`, which
shows very regular branches emerging from most of the auxillary
buds. This may be related to the tendency of `K206` to have a
relatively open canopy.
Leaves on `K206` trees usually contain 7 leaflets, and in that
sense resemble cultivars `K128b` and `K140`. This contrasts with
cultivar `K207`, in which leaves include a mixture of 5 or 7
leaflets.
* * * * *