USPP27321P2

USPP27321P2 - Red bayberry plant named ‘N1MR09’

Info

Publication number: USPP27321P2
Application number: US14/120,613
Authority: US
Inventors: Daryl Clifford Joyce
Original assignee: University of Queensland UQ
Current assignee: University of Queensland UQ
Priority date: 2012-05-16
Filing date: 2014-06-09
Publication date: 2016-11-01

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of Red Bayberry, botanically known as Myrica rubra, and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘N1MR09’ is described. N1MR09 produces fruit having improved sweetness, a good sugar:acid ratio, a palatable low resin taste along with uniform fruit size and colour. N1MR09 has the following traits: mean fruit diameter is 24.7 mm; mean fruit weight is 9.15 g; fruit colour is pale red; mean fruit flesh total soluble solids (an indicator of sweetness) is 12.8 ° Brix; mean fruit flesh titratable acidity is 1.25%; and fruit harvest season in the southern hemisphere is mid-November.

Description

Botanical denomination: Myrica rubra.

Variety designation: ‘N1MR09’.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Red Bayberry, botanically known as Myrica rubra, and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘N1MR09’.

‘N1MR09’ is the product of a selection program started by the inventor in 2002 in a cultivated area of Knoxfield, Victoria, Australia. The primary focus of the selection program is to produce new cultivars of Red Bayberry with fruit having improved sweetness, a good sugar:acid ratio, a palatable low resin taste along with uniform fruit size and colour.

‘N1MR09’ was selected in 2008 from a mature planting of twelve cutting-propagated genotypes which the inventor had originally grown from out-crossed seed collected from China. The inventor is unable to identify either the male or the female parent. A later planting comprising 141 seedlings from a second batch of seed were evaluated for fruit quality in 2010. The combination of traits displayed by ‘N1MR09’ was not found in any of the 141 seedlings. Hence, ‘N1MR09’ is considered to be a unique cultivar.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘N1MR09’ was asexually reproduced by clonal propagation, using cuttings or by grafting onto rootstock in Gatton, Queensland, Australia. The original clonal propagation to produce the variety was conducted via vegetative tip cuttings.

The cultivar ‘N1MR09’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions, without however any change in genotype.

The following traits have been observed and represent the characteristics of the new Myrica rubra cultivar ‘N1MR09’. These traits in combination distinguish ‘N1MR09’ from all other varieties of Myrica rubra known to the inventor.

- 1. Mean fruit diameter is 24.7 mm.
- 2. Mean fruit weight is 9.15 g.
- 3. Fruit colour is pale red.
- 4. Mean fruit flesh total soluble solids (an indicator of sweetness) is 12.8° Brix.
- 5. Mean fruit flesh titratable acidity is 1.25%.
- 6. Fruit harvest season in the southern hemisphere is mid-November.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a digital image showing representative fruit of ‘N1MR06’, ‘N1MR07’, and ‘N1MR09’ displaying the variation in fruit size, shape and colour; harvested November 2011 in Nambour, Queensland, Australia.

FIG. 2 is a digital image showing the whole plant of ‘N1MR09’ in Nambour, Queensland, Australia.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following description describes the Myrica rubra cultivar ‘N1MR09’ at 7 years. The vegetative propagule was observed in a test plot maintained with standard management practices for commercial bayberry production in Nambour, Queensland, Australia. Certain characteristics of this variety, such as growth and colour, may change with changing environmental conditions (e.g., light, temperature, moisture, nutrient availability, or other factors). Colour descriptions and other terminology are used in accordance with their ordinary dictionary descriptions, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Colour designations are based on the CIE L.C.h colour model and were measured using a Konica Minolta CR-400 Chroma Meter.

Botanical classification: Myrica rubra.
Parentage:
- - Female parent plant.—Unknown.
  - Male parent plant.—Unknown.
Plant:
- - Vigor.—General observations of ‘N1MR09’ plantings indicate average plant vigor.
  - Plant habit.—Branched shrub, elongate in shape; can be limbed up into a multi-trunked small tree.
  - Plant hardiness.—USDA Zone 9 (potentially ranging from 8 to 10).
  - Type.—Evergreen shrub.
  - Disease resistance.—No disease resistance data available for foliar or root pathogens.
  - Size.—Height, 5.35 m, width 3.4 m.
Fruit:
- - Shape.—Spherical.
  - Size.—In Nambour, Queensland, Australia, average diameter was 24.7 mm.
  - Skin.—Knobby (papillate).
  - Colour.—Pale red. CIE L.C.h color measurements are as follows: Lightness (L)=19.26±0.30; Chroma (C)=23.01±0.81; Hue (h)=16.89±0.37.
  - Weight.—In Nambour, Queensland, Australia, average weight was 9.15 g.
  - Number of seeds.—One.
  - Flesh.—Pink-white
  - Fruit chemistry.—Samples of fruit were harvested from test plots in Nambour, Queensland, Australia and evaluated for fruit chemistry. Average fruit flesh total soluble solids were 12.8° Brix and average fruit flesh titratable acidity was 1.25%.
  - Fruit production.—Mid November.
Leaf:
- - Length (mm).—91.1±1.5.
  - Width (mm).—27.97±0.56.
  - Shape.—Oblanceolate.
  - Margin type.—Entire.
  - Texture (upper surface).—Glabrous.
  - Texture (lower surface).—Glabrous.
  - Fragrance.—Mildly fragrant when bruised.
  - Color (upper surface).—139A (Light=32; Chroma=16; hue=146).
  - Color (lower surface).—147B (Light=47; Chroma=21; hue=112).
  - Apex shape.—Acute to obtuse, rarely retuse.
  - Base shape.—Cuneate.
Leaf bud:
- - Axillary bud length (mm).—4.50±0.12.
  - Axillary bud shape.—Ovoid to ovoid-conical.
  - Axillary bud number per axil.—5.20±0.22.
  - Axillary bud colour.—165C (Light=67; Chroma=38; hue=65).
Petiole:
- - Length (mm).—10.27±0.24.
  - Surface texture.—Glabrous.
  - Color.—152D (Light=62; Chroma=46; hue=88).
Stem:
- - Shape.—Round.
  - Surface texture.—Woody.
  - Presence/absence of lenticel.—Present.
  - Color.—199B (Light=54; Chroma=20; hue=74).
Flower:
- - Monoecious or dioecious.—Dioecious.
  - Flower form.—Incomplete, lacks petals and sepals.
  - Flowering season.—Late winter to early spring.
  - Flower colour.—None, flowers are apetalous.
  - Average number of flowers per inflorescence.—10.52±5.259.
  - Average inflorescence length.—8.9 mm±0.84.
  - Size.—Very small and inconspicuous.
Peduncle:
- - Average peduncle length.—3.764±1.159.
Reproductive organs:
- - Number of pistils per flower.—2. The variety produces pistillate flowers only.
Seeds:
- - Length (mm).—12.23±0.13.
  - Width (mm).—10.03±0.14.
  - Thickness (mm).—8.63±0.10.
  - Shape.—Broad elliptic to broad obovate.
  - Color.—165D (Light=78; Chroma=31; hue=71).
Shipping and storage characteristics: Fruit decay severity after 15 d storage at 5° C.: moderate. This data is preliminary (based on fruit harvested from a single location) and may have been affected by environmental conditions.
Pollination requirement: Dioecious. Cross-pollination by wind.

TABLE 1

Comparison of characteristics of ‘N1MR06’, ‘N1MR07’, and ‘N1MR09’

Characteristic	‘N1MR09’	‘N1MR06’	‘N1MR07’

Tree: habit	spreading	semi-upright	upright
Tree: compactness	standard	compact	standard
Tree: vigour	medium to	strong	strong
	strong
Leaf blade: length	medium	medium	medium
Leaf blade: width	broad	broad	medium
Leaf blade: ratio	small	medium	medium
length/width
Leaf blade: shape of tip	blunt acute	blunt acute	blunt acute
Leaf blade: shape in cross	concave	concave	concave
section
Leaf blade: green colour of	medium	dark	medium
upper side
Leaf: attitude in relation to	upwards	upwards	upwards
shoot
Fruit: size	medium	medium	large
Fruit: firmness of flesh	medium	firm	soft to
			medium
Fruit: total soluble solids of	high	high	medium
juice
Fruit: acid content of juice	high	high	medium
Time of: beginning of	early	medium	medium
flowering
Time of: fruit maturity	early	early	medium
Fruit: Skin protruberances	moderate	moderate	moderate
Fruit: Uniformity of	even	even	uneven
protruberances
Fruit: Colour of flesh	pink-white	pink-red	pink-
			white
Fruit: Drop or shed before	high	low	low
harvest
Shoot: internode length	medium	medium	long
Leaf: Colour - underside of	light green	light green	very light
leaf			green
Leaf: Undulating margin	slightly	undulating	slightly
	undulating		undulating
Shoot : Size of lenticels	large	medium	large
Shoot: Density of lenticels	sparse	dense	medium
Flower: Number of flowers	medium	high	high
per inflorescence
Fruit: Colour of skin	light	dark	medium
Fruit: Yield	medium	medium	high
Leaf: Number of buds per	multiple	mainly single	single
leaf axil
Leaf: Petiole length	medium	medium	medium
Fruit: Resinous taste	absent	absent	absent
Shoot: Colour of juvenile	black red	black red	black red
shoot
Shoot: Colour of juvenile	dark red	medium red	dark red
leaf tips
Flower: Peduncle length	medium	long	medium
Fruit: Seed weight	medium	low	medium

TABLE 2

Morphological	Genotype

characteristic	N1MR06	N1MR07	N1MR09

Leaf length	95.6 ± 1.5	100.4 ± 2.1	91.1 ± 1.5
(mm)
Leaf width	29.50 ± 0.5	29.87 ± 0.62	27.97 ± 0.56
(mm)
Leaf shape	oblanceolate	oblanceolate	oblanceolate
Leaf margin	entire	entire	entire
type
Leaf texture	glabrous	glabrous	glabrous
(upper surface)
Leaf texture	glabrous	glabrous	glabrous
(lower surface)
Leaf fragrance	mildly fragrant	mildly fragrant	mildly fragrant
	when bruised	when bruised	when bruised
Leaf colour	139A	139A	139A
(upper surface)	(Light = 32;	(Light = 32;	(Light = 32;
	Chroma = 16;	Chroma = 16;	Chroma = 16;
	hue = 146)	hue = 146)	hue = 146)
Leaf colour	147B	147B	147B
(lower surface)	(Light = 47;	(Light = 47;	(Light = 47;
	Chroma = 21;	Chroma = 21;	Chroma = 21;
	hue = 112)	hue = 112)	hue = 112)
Leaf apex shape	acute to obtuse,	acute to obtuse,	acute to obtuse,
	rarely retuse	rarely retuse	rarely retuse
Leaf base shape	cuneate	cuneate	cuneate
Axillary bud	3.13 ± 0.09	2.63 ± 0.10	4.50 ± 0.12
length (mm)
Axillary bud	ovoid to ovoid-	ovoid to ovoid-	ovoid to ovoid-
shape	conical	conical	conical
Axillary bud	1.10 ± 0.07	1.00 ± 0.00	5.20 ± 0.22
number per
axil
Axillary bud	165C	153D	165C
colour	(Light = 67;	(Light = 72;	(Light = 67;
	Chroma = 38;	Chroma = 58;	Chroma = 38;
	hue = 65)	hue = 88)	hue = 65)
Number of	could not be	could not be	could not be
scales	determined	determined	determined
per leaf bud
Petiole length	9.07 ± 0.23	9.20 ± 0.37	10.27 ± 0.24
Petiole surface	glabrous	glabrous	glabrous
texture
Petiole colour	152D	152D	152D
	(Light = 62;	(Light = 62;	(Light = 62;
	Chroma = 46;	Chroma = 46;	Chroma = 46;
	hue = 88)	hue = 88)	hue = 88)
Stem shape	round	round	round
Stem surface	woody	woody	woody
texture
Presence/	present	present	present
absence of
lenticel on
stem
Stem colour	N199A	N199A	199B
	(Light = 38;	(Light = 38;	(Light = 54;
	Chroma = 15;	Chroma = 20;	Chroma = 20;
	Hue = 76)	Hue = 76)	hue = 74)
Monoecious	dioecious	dioecious	dioecious
or dioecious
Flower form	incomplete, lacks	incomplete, lacks	incomplete, lacks
	petals and sepals	petals and sepals	petals and sepals
Flowering	late winter to	late winter to	late winter to
season	early spring	early spring	early spring
Flower colour	none, flowers are	none, flowers are	none, flowers are
	apetalous	apetalous	apetalous
Number of	species is	species is	species is
stamens per	dioecious,	dioecious,	dioecious,
flower	variety produces	variety produces	variety produces
	pistillate flowers	pistillate flowers	pistillate flowers
	only	only	only
Number of	2	2	2
pistils per
flower
Stamen size	species is	species is	species is
	dioecious,	dioecious,	dioecious,
	variety produces	variety produces	variety produces
	pistillate flowers	pistillate flowers	pistillate flowers
	only	only	only
Pistil size	nd	nd	nd
Stamen colour	species is	species is	species is,
	dioecious,	dioecious,	dioecious
	variety produces	variety produces	variety produces
	pistillate flowers	pistillate flowers	pistillate flowers
	only	only	only
Pollen colour	species is	species is	species is
	dioecious,	dioecious,	dioecious,
	variety produces	variety produces	variety produces
	pistillate flowers	pistillate flowers	pistillate flowers
	only	only	only
Seed length	10.60 ± 0.14	12.13 ± 0.16	12.23 ± 0.13
(mm)
Seed width	8.63 ± 0.12	9.30 ± 0.13	10.03 ± 0.14
(mm)
Seed thickness	7.27 ± 0.12	8.63 ± 0.10	8.63 ± 0.10
(mm)
Seed shape	broad elliptic to	broad elliptic to	broad elliptic to
	broad obovate	broad obovate	broad obovate
Seed colour	165D	165D	165D
	(Light = 78;	(Light = 78;	(Light = 78;
	Chroma = 31;	Chroma = 31;	Chroma = 31;
	hue = 71)	hue = 71)	hue = 71)
Fruit decay	slight	severe	moderate
severity after
15 d storage at
5° C.

Quantitative data are provided as means ± standard error of the mean for n = 30 samples.
Leaf and petiole measurements were conducted on mature, fully expanded leaves harvested at shoulder height.
Vegetative and floral axillary buds are identical in appearance until bud burst or leaf expansion becomes evident. Hence, no distinction is made between the type of axillary bud.
Colour measurements were made using the Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (5th edition) and converted to CIE LCh values using online tables at rhscf.orgfree.com/ (accessed 10 Mar. 2016).
Seed measurements were conducted on seed with intact endocarp (i.e., the stone)

Claims

The invention claimed is:

1. A new and distinct variety of red bayberry plant, substantially as illustrated and described herein.