Abstract
A new and distinct Stevia rebaudiana plant named ‘SW 129’ is described. The new variety is distinguished from other Stevia varieties by high plant vigor; high plant yield; late flowering; excellent sweet leaf taste with very low bitterness and aftertaste; and leaves having a high rebaudioside A, a high percentage of rebaudioside A to total steviol glycosides, and a high ratio of rebaudioside A content to stevioside content.
Claims
1. A new and distinct cultivar of Stevia plant named ‘SW 129’ as substantially shown and described herein.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as is possible in color illustrations of this type, typical flower and foliage characteristics of the ‘SW 129’ line. The plants depicted in the accompanying photographs are approximately one year old.
(2) FIG. 1 depicts a color photograph of a fully mature ‘SW 129’ Stevia plant from roots to top of the plant near the end of the plant's first growing season.
(3) FIG. 2 depicts a color photograph of ‘SW 129’ leaves.
(4) FIG. 3 depicts a color photograph of an ‘SW 129’ leaf, including the shape and dimensions.
(5) FIG. 4 depicts a color photograph of the flowers of an ‘SW 129’ Stevia plant.
DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
(6) Following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of a Stevia plant known as ‘SW 129’. Plant observations were made on Aug. 24, 2014, on mature one year old plants grown in a field in Ontario, Oreg. in natural light. The ‘SW 129’ line has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where characteristics, such as dimensions, sizes, colors, and other such characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages and that such approximations are not intended to be limiting. It is also to be understood that the phenotype of the variety may be altered by changes with environment, such as season, temperature, light quality, light intensity, day length, cultural conditions, and the like. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2007.
(7) Where appropriate, the following description makes reference to commonly owned stevia line ‘SW 107’, which is disclosed in co-pending Plant patent application Ser. No. 14/544,136, filed on Nov. 14, 2014 (now U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,815). The ‘SW 129’ line differs from the ‘SW 107’ line is many respects, including without limitation, the percentage of rebaudioside A (10.39% for ‘SW 107’ versus 13.58% for ‘SW 129’); the percentage of stevioside (4.76% for ‘SW 107’ versus 2.12% for ‘SW 129’); percentage of total steviol glycosides (16.89% for ‘SW 107’ versus 17.50% for ‘SW 129’); and number of leaf harvest per acre per year (4500 for ‘SW 107’ versus 5000 for ‘SW 129’). Botanical classification: Stevia rebaudiana cultivar ‘SW 129’. Parentage: Stevia plants (unpatented) grown from seeds (unpatented) in Chowchilla, Calif. by Clinton C. Shock. Plant (description based on FIG. 1): Type.—Perennial in climates with mild winter temperatures. Form and habit.—Multiple branching bush. Height (from top of soil).—32 cm. Width (including flowers).—28 cm. Number of nodes on main stem.—Varies. After initial growth, the number of principle stems proliferates. Number of basal buds.—Fewer basal buds developed during the growing season, compared with ‘SW 107’. Stooling.—Less stooling was initiated during the growing season, compared with ‘SW 107’. Harvest cycle.—Summer and fall or fall. Root initiation.—8 days. Leaves (description based on FIGS. 2 and 3): Length.—5.0 cm-10 cm. Width.—1.0 cm-3.0 cm. Arrangement.—Opposite. Shape.—Lanceolate. Apex descriptor.—Acute. Base descriptor.—Cuneate. Margin descriptor.—Serrate. Venation pattern.—Longitudinal. Color, mature foliage.—Upper surface. RHS137C. Lower surface. RHS137C. Color, veins.—RHS 139C. Texture, mature foliage.—Upper surface. Slight pubescence. Lower surface. Moderate pubescence. Petiole length.—˜0.6 cm. Petiole diameter.—˜0.3 cm. Petiole texture.—Upper surface: Slight pubescence. Lower surface: Moderate pubescence. Pubescence color.—Upper surface. RHS 139C. Lower surface. RHS 139C. Stevioside content.—2.12%. Rebaudioside A content.—13.58%. Rebaudioside A as a percentage of total steviol glycosides.—77.6%. Ratio of rebaudioside A to stevioside.—6.41. Total steviol glycosides.—17.50%. Leaf harvest period.—Summer plus fall or fall in Oregon, California, and Arizona. Stem: Length (excluding inflorescence).—Varies to 32 cm. Diameter.—Varies to 4.0 cm. Texture.—Pubescent. Color.—RHS 145B. Flowers (description based on FIG. 4): Inflorescence type.—Panicle. Petal color.—RHS N155D. Petal length.—˜0.6 cm. Petal width.—˜0.1 cm. Bloom period.—October to November at Ontario, Oreg. Arrangement.—Composite. Shape.—Cluster. Fragrance.—None. Number of flowers per capitulum.—5. Average number of petals per flower.—Five petals fused together in a sympetulous configuration. Peduncle: Color.—RHS 145B. Diameter.—˜0.15 cm. Aspect.—Perpendicular. Texture.—Pubescent. Pedicles: Color.—RHS 145B. Diameter.—˜0.03 cm. Aspect.—45 degrees. Texture.—Pubescent. Disc florets: Arrangement.—Radially symmetrical. Shape.—Tubular. Phyllaries: Quantity.—5. Length.—˜0.7 cm. Width.—˜0.15 cm. Shape.—Lanceolate. Apex.—Acute. Base.—Fused. Margin.—Overlapping. Color.—RHS 145B. Reproductive organs: Androecium.—Stamen quantity. 5. Anther length. ˜0.4 cm. Anther color. RHS 199A. Gynoecium.—Pistil length. ˜0.8 cm. Style color. RHS N155B. Stigma color. RHS N155B. Fruit and seed set: Flowering.—October to November, which is later than most stevia lines, which flower from mid-to-late September. Seeds.—Small black achene with pappus attached typical of Stevia rebaudiana. Cold hardiness: Hardy to 23° F. (−5° C.) at Ontario, Oreg. Heat tolerance: Hardy to a monthly average maximum temperature of 107-108° F. (42° C.) at Yuma, Ariz. and Indio, Calif.
