USPP1646P - Nectarine tree - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 8, 1957 w, ANDERSON Plant Pat. 1,646

NECTARINE TREE Filed Feb. 7. 1957 WITNESS INVENTOR, a fiederz'c' M Anderson doLi/J M y BY JDM-ws A T T Y5.

United States Patent -NECTAR1NE TREE Frederic W. Anderson, Merced, Calif. Application February 7, 1957, Serial No. 638,887

1 Claim. 01. (47-62) This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree which has a relatively low winter chilling requirement,- and which tree bears large, firm, yellow'- fleshed, freestonefruit whose skin is smooth surfaced, and of yellow ground color largely overspread with a bright red, shading from orange.

The present variety-of-nectarine tree is the result of an F-l cross between the clingstone Le Grand nectarine (United States Plant Patent No. 549) and the freestone Sun Grand nectarine (United States Plant Patent No. 974).

The variety was originated by me in the course of an extensive and continuing plant breeding program conducted at my experimental orchard located near Le Grand, Merced County, California; an important pun pose of such program being to seek and obtain better nectarine varieties having commercial market potential and particular harvest periods.

When the seedling resultant from the above cross first produced fruit, it appeared to have the attributes of a quite desirable commercial variety of nectarine, and I therefore selected it for further observation, testing, and asexual reproduction; such reproduction of the variety having been accomplished in my experimental orchard located as aforesaidby top-working on mature orchard trees. These reproductions, when they came into bearing, confirmed all of the characteristics of the parent, and the most important of. which are as follows:

The ripening period of the fruit of the instant variety is shortly after the Early Sun Grand nectarine (United States Plant Patent No. 1,420), but before the Sun Grand neotarine, and thus serves an intermediate market.

More specifically, the fruit of the present variety of nectarine ripens approximately ten days later than the Early Sun Grand nectarine, and-4n further comparison theretois slightly larger in size and firmer of flesh, but with somewhat less red exterior color; is of better eating quality; and has leaves with globose instead of reniform glands.

In comparison to the Sun Grand nectarine the fruit or the present variety ripens approximately one week earlier; is slightly larger in size but shorter axially; has somewhat less red exterior color; is not quite as firm of flesh, but of better eating quality; and has sweet instead of bitter kernels.

The present variety may also be compared with the Star Grand nectar-ine (United States Plant Patent No. 1,327) by approximately the same ripening period and general similarity in fruit characteristics, but distinct in that here the winter chilling requirement is much lower. This variety bore very heavy crops following warm winters, whereas the Star Grand nectarine lost many buds and bore comparatively light crops. The present variety also differs in that the leaves have globose instead of reniform glands; flowers with large instead of small petals; and kernels which are sweet instead of bitter, the sweetness resembling that of an almond.

Patented 0 s, 957

In the drawings: 8

Fig. 1 is an elevation showing two of the fruit, together with twigs and leaves.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of one of the fruit with the stone exposed. a

Referring now more specifically to the pomologieal details of this new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following is an outline description thereof; all major color plate identifications being by reference to "and Paul Dictionary of Color:

Tree:

Size.Large.

Vigor.Vigorous.

Growth-Spreading.

Density.0pen.

Shape.Vase, formed.

Productiom- Productive.

Bearing-Regular bearer.

Trunk:

Size.Medium. Texture.Medium. Branches: I

Sim-Medium.

Colon-Brown.

Lenticels.-Medium number; medium size.

Leaves:

Size.Large to medium. Average length, 6%".

Average width, 1 /2".

Margin.-Crenate.

Peti0le.Medium length; medium thickness.

Glands. Average number-four; globose. Position-usually two on petiole and one or'two on blade.

C0I0r.Top side-medium green (22-L-8). Un-

der side-lighter green (22-K-6).

Flower Buds:

Size-Medium. Length.--Medium.

Flowers:

Dates of first and full bl00m.-About with the Sun Grand nectarine. Early to medium blooming period compared with other varieties.

Size.Large. Petals.--Large. Fruit fir C A Plant Pat. 1,646

Arma.--Distinct. Eating Quality-Good. Colon-Yellow (9-K-14, shading to 9-L-6), red (2-K-7) near stone. V Stone: 7 V g I h 1 I Type.--Free; parts fromflesh smoothly. I I

Size-Medium. Average 1ength,*l%. Average breadth, i i Avera'ge thickness, /3". 1 Form.--Ovoid. Hilum. 0blonlg. Apex.-Rounded.

'Sides.'Equal. V V g I Surfac.Regularlyturrowed near base; pitted from base to above center. 1 i I Ridges-Rounded. Pits.Elongated. Ventral edge.'Ihick. Dorsal edge.Full, with shallow & QOve Tendency t0 split-Slight. I C0l0r.Brown (ILA-12 Use: Market; local; long distance shipping. Keeping quality: Good. Shipping quality: Good.

The tree and its fruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climatic and 'soil condition-sundeir which the variety may be grown.

4 The following is claimed: A new and distinct variety of nectarine-tree, as illustrated and described, which has a relatively low winter chilling requirement, and bears large, firm, yellow-fleshed, freestone fruit having smooth surfiac ed yellow skin largely overspread with a b right red shading (from orange; characterized by a ripenin'g period about ten days later than the Early Sun Grand nectarine, about one week earlier than the Sun Grand ,nectarine, andrapproximately with the Star Grand nectarine; further characterizedin comparison with said Early Sun Grand rectarine-.by' fruit which is larger in size and firmer of flesh, but with less red ex-' terior color, of better eating quality, and leaves with glo bose instead of reniiorm glands further characterized in comparison with said Sun Grand nectarineby fruit which is larger in size but shorter axially, with less red exterior 'color, not as firm of flesh but of better eating qwality, and having sweet instead of bitter kernels; and

No referencw cited

Images