Blueberry plant named ‘DrisBlueTwentySeven’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant named ‘DrisBlueTwentySeven’, particularly selected for the sweet flavor of its fruit, its adaptability for production in low latitudes, and appearance with persistent bloom, is disclosed.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant designated ‘DrisBlueTwentySeven’ 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 six years old, unless otherwise specified.

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

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates leaves of variety ‘DrisBlueTwentySeven’. 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 ‘DrisBlueTwentySeven’.

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates whole plants of variety ‘DrisBlueTwentySeven’.

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates whole and sliced fruit of variety ‘DrisBlueTwentySeven’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(7) The following description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisBlueTwentySeven’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Santa Cruz County, Calif. from 2014 to 2021. 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. ‘DrisBlueTwentySeven’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Unless noted otherwise, the botanical description of ‘DrisBlueTwentySeven’ was taken from plants that were six 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.—‘DrisBlueTwentySeven’. Parentage: Female parent.—Proprietary blueberry plant ‘53E3’ (unpatented). Male parent.—Proprietary blueberry plant ‘147B2’ (unpatented). Plant: Height.—146.1 cm. Width.—192.3 cm. Length/width ratio.—0.76. Vigor.—Strong. Growth habit.—Semi-upright. Cane renewal.—Weak. Chilling requirements.—‘DrisBlueTwentySeven’ can be grown as a no-chill evergreen, but will require at least 300 hours of chilling below 7° C. for proper development if the plant goes dormant. Time of vegetative bud burst.—Mid-March to May. One-year-old shoot (young canes).—Length: 96.5 cm. Diameter at the base: 10.2 mm. Diameter at the tip: 2.9 mm. Internode length on the upper half: 35.2 mm. Color: RES 139C (Moderate yellow green). Texture: Smooth. Five-year-old shoot (mature canes).—Length: 117.6 cm. Diameter at the base: 31.1 mm. Diameter at the tip: 8.2 mm. Internode length on the upper half: 48.4 mm. Color: RHS 199C (Light yellowish brown). Texture: Rough. Leaves: Length.—7.2 cm. Width.—4.6 cm. Length/width ratio.—1.6. Shape.—Ovate. Margin.—Entire. Apex shape.—Cuspidate. Base shape.—Obtuse. Arrangement.—Alternate. Venation.—Reticulate. Vein color.—RHS 145B (Light yellow green). Color on upper side.—RHS 139A (Dark yellowish green). Color on lower side.—RHS 138C (Moderate yellow green). Glaucosity on upper side.—Weak. Trichomes on upper side.—Glabrous (absent). Glossiness.—Dull. Petiole.—Length: 3.2 mm. Diameter: 2.2 mm. Color: RHS 142C (Light yellow green). Sheath.—Presence of leaf sheath: Present. Color: RHS 142C (Light yellow green). Flowers: Flower length (excluding pedicel).—11.7 mm. Flower width.—6.1 mm. Flower length/width ratio.—1.9. Color.—RHS 155C (Greenish white). Fragrance.—Medium. Inflorescence peduncle.—Length: 44.2 mm. Diameter: 2.0 mm. Color: RHS 144D (Light yellow green). Flower bud.—Length: 5.8 mm. Width: 2.8 mm. Number of flowers per bud: 4.2. Anthocyanin coloration: Medium. Anthocyanin color: RHS 59A (Dark red). Flower pedicel.—Length: 5.4 mm. Diameter: 1.0 mm. Color: RHS 142D (Light yellow green). Corolla.—Shape: Urceolate. Color of corolla tube: RHS 155C (Greenish white). Anthocyanin coloration of corolla tube on outer side: Weak. Anthocyanin color: RHS NN74B (Strong reddish purple). Conspicuousness of ridges on corolla tube: Weak. Color of receptacle: RHS 137A (Moderate olive green). Diameter of corolla aperture: 2.7 mm. Petal: Petal width (ridge to ridge): 2.7 mm. Color of the outer side: RHS 155C (Greenish white). Sepal: Length: 2.2 mm. Width: 2.7 mm. Color of the outer side: RHS 138C (Moderate yellow green). Reproductive organs.—Style: Length (including stigma): 8.0 mm. Color: RHS 144B (Strong yellow green). Ovary: Color: RHS 138A (Moderate yellowish green). Stamen: Length: 6.4 mm. Color: RHS 144D (Light yellow green). Pollen: Amount: Medium. Pollen color: RHS 4D (Pale yellow green). Flowering interval on one-year-old shoot.—Mid-March through May. Fruit: Length.—14.6 mm. Width.—18.4 mm. Length/width ratio.—0.79. Weight.—2.8 grams/fruit. Shape in longitudinal section.—Oblate. Attitude of sepals.—Incurved. Calyx basin.—Diameter: 6.3 mm. Depth: 3.2 mm. Diameter/depth ratio: 2.0. Infructescence (fruit cluster).—Number of berries per cluster: 4.4. Density: Medium. Peduncle length: 59.8 mm. Peduncle diameter: 2.3 mm. Fruit pedicel.—Length: 6.0 mm. Diameter: 1.5 mm. Color of unripe fruit.—RHS 147D (Moderate yellow green). Intensity of bloom.—Medium. Color of skin with bloom on mature fruit.—RHS 100D (Very light purplish blue). Color of skin after removal of bloom on mature fruit.—RHS 202A (Dark greyish purple). Flesh color.—RHS 145C (Light yellow green). Fruit firmness.—Medium. Fruit soluble solids (in °Brix).—13.6. Seed.—Diameter: 0.7 mm. Color: RHS 166B (Moderate reddish brown). Abundance: Medium. Fruiting.—Fruiting type: On one-year-old shoots only. Harvest interval on one-year-old shoot: May to July. Yield: 1 kg to 2 kg of fruit per plant per season from 40-month old. plants when grown at Santa Cruz County, Calif. Market use of fruit: Fresh market. Resistance to abiotic stress, pests, and diseases: Heat.—Moderately resistant. Spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii).—Moderately susceptible. Botrytis fruit rot (Botrytis cinerea).—Moderately susceptible.

COMPARISONS TO PARENTAL AND REFERENCE BLUEBERRY VARIETIES

(8) ‘DrisBlueTwentySeven’ differs from the female parent proprietary blueberry plant ‘53E3’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisBlueTwentySeven’ has earlier production and improved plant appearance compared to ‘53E3’. Further, fruit of ‘DrisBlueTwentySeven’ has a sweeter flavor than fruit of ‘53E3’. In addition, ‘DrisBlueTwentySeven’ has a lower chilling requirement than ‘53E3’.

(9) ‘DrisBlueTwentySeven’ differs from the male parent proprietary blueberry plant ‘147B2’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisBlueTwentySeven’ has improved plant appearance compared to ‘147B2’. In addition, fruit of ‘DrisBlueTwentySeven’ is larger and has a sweeter flavor than fruit of ‘147B2’.

(10) ‘DrisBlueTwentySeven’ differs from the reference blueberry plant variety ‘DrisBlueSeven’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,605) in that ‘DrisBlueTwentySeven’ has an ovate leaf shape, an obtuse shape of leaf base, a medium fragrance of flowers, and a medium intensity of bloom on mature fruit, whereas ‘DrisBlueSeven’ has an elliptic leaf shape, a cuneate shape of leaf base, a very faint or absent fragrance of flowers, and a very strong intensity of bloom on mature fruit.

(11) ‘DrisBlueTwentySeven’ differs from the reference blueberry plant variety ‘DrisBlueThirteen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,451) in that ‘DrisBlueTwentySeven’ has weak cane renewal, an obtuse shape of leaf base, dull leaves, and a medium anthocyanin coloration on flower bud, whereas ‘DrisBlueThirteen’ has strong cane renewal, a cuneate shape of leaf base, glossy leaves, and a very strong anthocyanin coloration on flower bud.