USPP36402P2

USPP36402P2 - Blueberry plant named ‘Ridley7301’

Info

Publication number: USPP36402P2
Application number: US18/445,950
Authority: US
Inventors: Ridley Bell
Original assignee: Mountain Blue Orchards Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Mountain Blue Orchards Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2024-04-11
Filing date: 2024-04-11
Publication date: 2025-01-21
Anticipated expiration: 2044-04-11

Abstract

The new blueberry plant variety ‘Ridley7301’ is a new and distinct low-chill tetraploid highbush blueberry (Vaccinium) variety of complex hybrid ancestry, based largely on V. corymbosum with some genes of V. darrowi. ‘Ridley7301’ is a commercial variety intended for use as fresh fruit for shipping, hand pick, customer pick, machine harvest and processing markets and as a home garden plant. The variety is produced from a cross of seed parent ‘M07-05-03’ (unpatented) and with pollen parent ‘Ridley 4507’ (US unpatented, AU PBR Cert. 6076), and can be distinguished by its outstanding features.

Description

Latin name of the genus and species:

Genus—Vaccinium.

Species—hybrid.

Variety denomination: The new blueberry plant claimed is of the variety denominated ‘Ridley7301’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety of Vaccinium variety of complex hybrid ancestry, based largely on V. corymbosum with some genes of V. darrowi (Southern Highbush Blueberry), which has been given the variety denomination of ‘Ridley7301’. Its market class is that of a fruiting plant. ‘Ridley7301’ is intended for use as fresh fruit for shipping, customer pick and processing markets and as a home garden plant.

The new Vaccinium hybrid cultivar is a selection resulting from seedlings produced in a breeding program of Vaccinium at Lindendale, New Sout Wales, Australia in 2015 from the controlled pollination of seed parent ‘M07-05-03’ (unpatented) with pollen parent ‘Ridley 4507’ (US unpatented. AU PBR Cert. 6076). The seed parent was produced from a seedling selection of seed parent ‘S01-28-05’ (unpatented) and pollen parent ‘S01-29-01’ (unpatented). The pollen parent was produced from a seedling selection of seed parent ‘C99-42’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,695) and pollen parent ‘C00-008’ (unpatented).

The new cultivar was discovered and selected as a single plant within a population of 100 resulting Vaccinium plants from this controlled pollination in 2018 in a commercial field plantation environment at Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia.

The new blueberry cultivar was designated ‘M18-73-01’ and has been planted in replicated trials since 2019 at the commercial farms at Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cutting propagation since 2018 at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia has demonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of the new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia and that have been repeatedly observed and can be used to distinguish ‘M18-73-01’ (‘Ridley7301’) as a new and distinct cultivar of Vaccinium plant:

- 1. very large fruit size;
- 2. firm and juicy fruit crunch;
- 3. firm and juicy fruit texture;
- 4. excellent waxy bloom coating on fruit;
- 5. sweet flavor;
- 6. vigorous growth;
- 7. semi-upright bush shape;
- 8. early-season timing of flowering and fruiting; and
- 9. suitability to machine harvesting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic illustrations show the typical appearance of the new variety ‘Ridley7301’. The colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describes the colors of the new plant.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the new variety ‘Ridley7301’, demonstrating the plant's semi-upright growth habit.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of the fruit of the new variety ‘Ridley7301’. Top row depicts top, bottom, and side views of the fruit. Middle and bottom rows depict cross section and longitudinal views of the fruit.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of the upper surface of the leaves of the new variety ‘Ridley7301’.

FIG. 4 is a photograph of the flower cluster of the new variety ‘Ridley7301’.

FIG. 5 is a photograph of the fruit cluster of the new variety ‘Ridley7301’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘Ridley7301’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions of the original selection. Dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are approximations and averages set forth as accurately as possible. The plant history was taken on plants approximately 3 years of age, and the descriptions relate to plants grown in the field in Tabulam from 2020-2023, New South Wales, Australia. Descriptions of fruit characteristics were made on fruit grown in Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia. Color designations are from Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, sixth edition.

Classification:
- - a. Family.—Ericaceae.
  - b. Genus.—Vaccinium.
  - c. Species.—Hybrid.
  - d. Common name.—Southern Highbush Blueberry.
Parentage:
- - a. Female parent.—‘M07-05-03’ (unpatented).
  - b. Male parent.—‘Ridley 4507’ (unpatented).
Market class: A fruiting plant intended for use as fresh fruit for shipping, hand pick, customer pick, machine harvest and processing markets and as a home garden plant.

PLANT

General:
- - a. Plant height.—Average 1.71 m.
  - b. Plant width.—Average 1.65 m.
  - c. Growth habit.—Upright to semi-upright.
  - d. Growth.—Strong.
  - e. Productivity.—Approximately 9 kg/year on 3 year old plants.
  - f. Cold hardiness.—Has not been tested/expected to be low.
  - g. Cold tolerance.—Has not been tested/expected to be low.
  - h. Chilling requirement.—Low (under 600 hours).
  - i. Fruiting type.—On one-year-old and current season shoots. Predominantly on one-year-old shoots with conventional pruning.
  - j. Tolerance to disease.—Has not been tested.
  - k. Leafing.—Vegetative bud burst is medium.
  - l. Twigginess.—Moderate.

STEM

General:
- - a. Suckering tendency.—Nil-low.
  - b. Mature cane color.—201D.
  - c. Mature cane length.—154 cm.
  - d. Mature cane width.—23 mm.
  - e. Bark texture.—Moderately rough, typical of species.
  - f. Surface texture of new wood.—Smooth.
  - g. Internode length on strong, new shoots.—11-35 mm; 21.8 mm average.
  - h. Fruiting wood.—Up to 22 cm in length; 18 cm average.

FOLIAGE

General:
- - a. Time of beginning of leaf bud burst.—Early-Mid (from approximately week 38 onwards at Tabulam, NSW, Australia).
  - b. Leaf color (top side).—NN137A.
  - c. Leaf color (under side).—147D.
  - d. Leaf arrangement.—Alternate.
  - e. Leaf shape.—Ovate/Elliptic.
  - f. Leaf margins.—Overall entire on UPOV TQ scale. Slightly crenate.
  - g. Undulation of margin.—Weak.
  - h. Leaf venation.—Reticulate.
  - i. Leaf apices.—Acute.
  - j. Leaf bases.—Acute.
  - k. Leaf length (without petiole).—Average 68 mm.
  - l. Leaf width.—Average 34 mm.
  - m. Leaf length/width ratio.—2:1.
  - n. Leaf nectaries.—Absent.
  - o. Leaf glaucosity on upper side.—Medium.
  - p. Pubescence of upper side.—Absent.
  - q. Pubescence of lower side.—Absent.
  - r. Cross sectional profile.—Flat.
  - s. Longitudinal profile.—Slightly concave.
  - t. Attitude.—Semi-upright.
Petioles:
- - a. Length.—Average 4.9 mm.
  - b. Width.—Average 2 mm.
  - c. Color.—144C.

FLOWERS

General:
- - a. Time of beginning of flowering.—Mid (week 17 at Tabulam, NSW Australia).
  - b. Time of 50% anthesis.—Week 27 at Tabulam, NSW Australia.
  - c. Flower shape.—Urceolate.
  - d. Flower bud density.—Moderate.
  - e. Flower fragrance.—Absent to weak, sweet.
Corolla:
- - a. Color.—155A.
  - b. Length.—9-11 mm.
  - c. Width.—6-8 mm average.
  - d. Aperture width.—3-5 mm.
  - e. Anthocyanin coloration of corolla.—Absent to weak.
  - f. Corolla ridges.—Present.
  - g. Protrusion of stigma.—Nil.
Inflorescence:
- - a. Length.—28-36 mm, average 31 mm.
  - b. Diameter.—Average 32 mm.
  - c. Length of peduncle.—Average 17.7 mm.
  - d. Surface texture of peduncle.—Smooth.
  - e. Color of peduncle.—144D.
  - f. Length of pedicel.—6 mm average.
  - g. Surface texture of pedicel.—Smooth.
  - h. Color of pedicel.—144D.
  - i. Number of flower clusters per piece of fruiting wood.—4-13, average 8.
  - j. Number of flowers per cluster.—5-9, average 7.
  - k. Flower cluster density.—Moderate.
Calyx (with sepals):
- - a. Diameter.—5-6 mm.
  - b. Color of receptacle.—143B.
Stamen:
- - a. Length.—7 mm.
  - b. Number per flower.—10.
  - c. Filament color.—145D.
Pistil:
- - a. Length.—8-9 mm.
  - b. Style length.—7-8 mm.
  - c. Ovary color (exterior).—145B.
Anther:
- - a. Length.—5 mm.
  - b. Number.—10.
  - c. Color.—N167A.
Pollen:
- - a. Abundance.—High.
  - b. Color.—158C.
  - c. Self-compatibility.—86%.

FRUIT

General:
- - a. Time of fruit ripening.—Early (from week 21-24 in Tabulam, NSW, Australia).
  - b. Time of 50% maturity.—Week 31-35 at Tabulam, NSW, Australia.
  - c. Fruit development period.—40-50 days.
  - d. Cluster density.—Moderate, 5-9 berries per cluster.
  - e. Unripe fruit color.—143C.
  - f. Ripe berry color (fruit bloom removed).—203B.
  - g. Berry surface wax abundance.—Strong.
  - h. Berry flesh color.—157C.
  - i. Berry weight.—3 grams.
  - j. Berry height from calyx to scar.—13 mm.
  - k. Berry diameter.—21 mm.
  - l. Berry shape.—Oblate.
  - m. Fruit stem scar.—Small (dry).
  - n. Sweetness when ripe.—Moderate to high, 13.8° Brix.
  - o. Firmness when ripe.—Firm (69% Durofel).
  - p. Acidity when ripe.—Low to moderate.
  - q. Storage quality.—Performs adequately in storage trials for up to 4 weeks.
  - r. Suitability for mechanical harvesting.—Moderate.
  - s. Self-fruitfulness.—86%.
  - t. Uses.—Fresh fruit for shipping, customer pick and processing markets and as a home garden plant.

SEED

General:
- - a. Seed abundance in fruit.—High.
  - b. Seed color.—165B.
  - c. Seed dry weight.—Not measured.
  - d. Seed length.—1 mm.

COMPARISON BETWEEN PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS

When ‘Ridley7301’ is compared to the seed parent ‘M-07-05-03’ (unpatented) it can be observed that ‘M-07-05-03’ has comparatively poor flavor, firmness and plant vigor. ‘M-07-05-03’ has not been maintained so is not available for further comparison.

Table 1, below, provides comparisons between ‘Ridley7301’, its pollen parent, ‘Ridley 4507’ (AU PBR Grant Certificate 6076), and the commercial cultivars that it has the most similarity to, ‘Ridley 1602’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 31,605) and ‘Ridley 4514’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,163). The commercial cultivars of most similarity were selected based on similar plant vigor, plant growth habit, fruit cluster density, in accordance with useful grouping characteristics identified in the UPOV test guidelines for blueberries (TG/137/5 Rev).

TABLE 1

			‘Ridley	‘Ridley	‘Ridley
			4507’	1602’	4514’
			(AU	(U.S.	(U.S.
			PBR	Plant	Plant
		‘Ridley-	Cert.	Pat. No.	Pat. No.
Organ	Context	7301’	6076)	31,605)	27,163)

Plant	Vigor	Strong	Medium	Strong	Strong
			to strong		to very
					strong
Plant	Growth	Upright	Semi-	Upright	Upright
	habit	to semi-	upright	to semi-	to semi-
		upright		upright	upright
One-year-	Color	Greenish	Greenish	Green	Green
old shoot		red	red
One-year-	Length of	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
old shoot	internode
Leaf	Length	Long	Medium	Long to	Medium
				very long	to long
Leaf	Width	Broad	Medium	Medium	Broad to
				to broad	very
					broad
Leaf	Shape	Ovate/	Elliptic	Elliptic	Elliptic
		elliptic
Leaf	Color of	Green	Green	Green	Green
	upper side
Leaf	Intensity of	Medium	Light to	Medium	Medium
	green color		medium
	on upper side
	(varieties
	with green
	leaf color
	only)
Leaf	Margin	Entire	Entire	Entire	Entire
Flower	Anthocyanin	Weak	Weak	Medium	Weak
bud	coloration
Flower	Shape of	Urceolate	Urceolate	Urceolate	Urceolate
	corolla
Flower	Size of	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
	corolla tube
Flower	Anthocyanin	Absent or	Absent or	Absent	Absent
	coloration of	very weak	very weak	or very	or very
	corolla tube			weak	weak
Flower	Ridges on	Present	Present	Present	Present
	corolla
Fruit	Density	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
cluster
Unripe	Intensity of	Light	Light	Light	Light
fruit	green color
Fruit	Size	Very large	Large	Large	Large
Fruit	Shape in	Oblate	Oblate	Oblate	Oblate
	longitudinal
	section
Fruit	Attitude of	Straight	Straight	Straight	Straight
	sepals
Fruit	Diameter	Large	Medium	Large	Medium
	of calyx		to large		to large
	basin
Fruit	Depth of	Medium to	Deep	Deep	Deep
	calyx	deep
	basin
Fruit	Intensity	Strong	Strong	Strong	Strong
	of bloom
Fruit	Color of	Dark blue	Dark blue	Dark blue	Dark
	skin				blue
Fruit	Firmness	Firm	Firm	Very firm	Firm
Fruit	Sweetness	Medium to	High to	High to	Medium
		high	very high	very high	to high
Fruit	Acidity	Low to	Medium	Medium to	Low
		medium		high
Time of	Vegetative	Medium	Medium	Very early	Late
	bud burst		to late
Time of	Beginning	Early	Early to	Very early	Very
	of		medium	to early	early
	flowering
Time of	Beginning	Early	Early to	Very early	Early to
	of fruit		medium	to early	medium
	ripening

Claims

The invention claimed is:

1. A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant named ‘Ridley7301’, as illustrated and described herein.