Blueberry plant named ‘DrisBlueTwentyFive’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant named ‘DrisBlueTwentyFive’, particularly selected for its sweet flavor, large fruit size, improved post-harvest storage qualities, and early ripening, is disclosed.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant designated ‘DrisBlueTwentyFive’ as shown and described herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) This new blueberry plant variety is illustrated by the accompanying photographs. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of plants that are five years old, unless otherwise specified.

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a section of a cane of variety ‘DrisBlueTwentyFive’.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates leaves of variety ‘DrisBlueTwentyFive’. The leaf on the left shows the upper leaf surface and the leaf on the right shows the lower leaf surface.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates clusters of flowers of variety ‘DrisBlueTwentyFive’.

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates whole fruits (top row) and longitudinal sections (bottom row) of variety ‘DrisBlueTwentyFive’. The two fruits on the top left show the top view (calyx basin) of the whole fruit, whereas the two fruits on the top right show the bottom view (fruit-pedicel junction) of the whole fruit. The first and third fruit of the top row have bloom on them, whereas the second and fourth fruit of the top row have bloom removed.

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates buds on plants of variety ‘DrisBlueTwentyFive’.

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates flowering plants of variety ‘DrisBlueTwentyFive’.

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates fruiting plants of variety ‘DrisBlueTwentyFive’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(9) The following description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisBlueTwentyFive’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Linn County, Oreg. from 2014 to 2019. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic and cultural conditions. ‘DrisBlueTwentyFive’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Unless noted otherwise, the botanical description of ‘DrisBlueTwentyFive’ was taken from plants that were five years old. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2015 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2.sup.nd edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined. Classification: Family.—Ericaceae. Botanical.—Vaccinium corymbosum L. Common name.—Blueberry. Variety name.—‘DrisBlueTwentyFive’. Parentage: Female parent.—The proprietary blueberry plant ‘90E 2’ (unpatented). Male parent.—The proprietary blueberry plant ‘10E 1’ (unpatented). Plant: Height.—102.9 cm. Width.—102.2 cm. Length/width ratio.—1.0. Vigor.—Medium. Growth habit.—Upright. Chilling requirements.—Minimum of 700 hours of chilling below 7° C. for proper vegetative and floral bud break. One-year-old canes (young canes).—Length: 10 cm. Diameter at the base: 2 mm. Diameter at the tip: 1 mm. Internode length on the upper half: 15.5 mm. Color: RHS 153D (Strong yellow). Five-year-old canes (mature canes).—Length: 62 cm. Diameter at the base: 17 mm. Diameter at the tip: 7 mm. Surface texture: Rough. Color: RHS 199C (Light yellowish brown). Leaves: Length.—72.0 mm. Width.—32.9 mm. Length/width ratio.—2.2. Shape.—Ovate. Margin.—Entire. Color on upper side.—RHS 147A (Moderate olive green). Color of lower side.—RHS 191B (Greyish yellow-green). Leaf apex shape.—Acute. Leaf base shape.—Cuneate. Petiole.—Length: 3.5 mm. Diameter: 1.69 mm. Flowers: Inflorescence density.—Dense. Flower length (excluding peduncle).—11.91 mm. Flower diameter.—7.01 mm. Flower length/width ratio.—1.7. Flower bud.—Length: 8.61 mm. Width: 4.19 mm. Number of flowers per bud: 8. Color with anthocyanin present: RHS N 57A (Vivid purplish red). Flower pedicel.—Length: 7.41 mm. Diameter: 1.26 mm. Corolla.—Shape: Urceolate. Anthocyanin coloration on corolla tube: Weak. Color of corolla tube (with anthocyanin present): RHS 154D (Light yellow green). Ridges on corolla tube: Present. Conspicuousness of corolla tube ridges: Weak. Petal width (ridge to ridge): 2.44 mm. Diameter of corolla aperture: 3.34 mm. Reproductive organs.—Style length (including stigma): 8.20 mm. Time of beginning of flowering on one-year-old shoot.—Late February. Flowering interval on one-year-old shoot.—Late February to mid-May. Fruit: Length.—15.24 mm. Diameter.—19.45 mm. Length/width ratio.—0.8. Weight.—1.9 grams. Shape in longitudinal section.—Oblate. Attitude of sepals.—Erect to semi-erect. Type of sepals.—Incurving. Calyx.—Length: 5.54 mm. Width: 5.54 mm. Surface texture: Smooth. Color: RHS 98D (Light purplish blue). Calyx basin.—Diameter: 5.54 mm. Depth: 2.08 mm. Diameter/depth ratio: 2.7. Number of berries per cluster.—6.30. Fruit cluster peduncle length.—14.06 mm. Diameter of fruit pedicel.—1.08 mm. Color of unripe fruit.—RHS N 144A (Strong yellowish green). Intensity of bloom.—Medium. Color of fruit without bloom on mature fruit.—RHS 103A (Greyish purplish blue). Fruit flesh color.—RHS 194C (Yellowish grey). Fruit firmness.—Medium-soft to medium. Fruit sweetness.—Medium. Fruit acidity.—Low. Seed.—Length: 1.70 mm. Width: 1.04 mm. Length/width ratio: 1.6. Fruiting type.—On one-year-old shoots. Ripening interval on one-year-old shoot.—Early March to late June. Yield.—6,688 kg to 10,431 kg of fruit per hectare per season from 60-month old plants when grown at Albany, Oreg. Market use of fruit.—Fresh market. Shipping quality and fruit storage life.—Following harvest, fruit have been stored for 21 days under standard blueberry storage conditions. Resistance to abiotic stress, pests, and diseases: Botrytis fruit rot (Botrytis cinerea).—Susceptible. Blueberry shock virus.—Resistant.

COMPARISONS TO PARENTAL AND REFERENCE BLUEBERRY VARIETIES

(10) ‘DrisBlueTwentyFive’ differs from the proprietary female parent ‘90E 2’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisBlueTwentyFive’ has a larger fruit size, sweeter flavor, and a higher chilling requirement compared to female parent ‘90E 2’.

(11) ‘DrisBlueTwentyFive’ differs from the proprietary male parent ‘10E 1’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisBlueTwentyFive’ has a larger fruit size, sweeter flavor, and lower firmness compared to male parent ‘10E 1’.

(12) ‘DrisBlueTwentyFive’ differs from the reference blueberry plant variety ‘DrisBlueTen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,643) in that ‘DrisBlueTwentyFive’ has an upright growth habit, medium plant vigor, ovate leaf shape, and medium intensity of bloom on fruit, whereas ‘DrisBlueTen’ has a semi-upright to spreading growth habit, strong plant vigor, elliptic leaf shape, and strong intensity of bloom on fruit.

(13) ‘DrisBlueTwentyFive’ differs from the reference blueberry plant variety ‘DrisBlueNine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,287) in that ‘DrisBlueTwentyFive’ has an upright growth habit, the time of beginning of fruit ripening on one-year-old shoot is very early, has an ovate leaf shape, and a medium intensity of bloom, whereas ‘DrisBlueNine’ has as semi-erect growth habit, the time of beginning of fruit ripening on one-year-old shoot is late, has an elliptic leaf shape, and strong intensity of bloom on fruit.