Blueberry plant named ‘DrisBlueTwentySix’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant named ‘DrisBlueTwentySix’, particularly selected for the sweet flavor, firmness, and large size 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 ‘DrisBlueTwentySix’ 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 ‘DrisBlueTwentySix’.

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

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates whole fruits (top row) and longitudinal sections (bottom row) of variety ‘DrisBlueTwentySix’. 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 whole plants of variety ‘DrisBlueTwentySix’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(7) The following description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisBlueTwentySix’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Santa Cruz County, Calif. from 2016 to 2020. 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. ‘DrisBlueTwentySix’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Unless noted otherwise, the botanical description of ‘DrisBlueTwentySix’ 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.—‘DrisBlueTwentySix’. Parentage: Female parent.—Proprietary blueberry plant ‘196H3’ (unpatented). Male parent.—Proprietary blueberry plant ‘7J301’ (unpatented). Plant: Height.—184.9 cm. Width.—147.8 cm. Length/width ratio.—1.25. Vigor.—Strong. Growth habit.—Semi-upright. Cane renewal.—Weak. Chilling requirements.—‘DrisBlueTwentySix’ 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.—March to April after dormancy. One-year-old canes (young canes).—Length: 136.9 cm. Diameter at the base: 9.3 mm. Diameter at the tip: 2.2 mm. Internode length on the upper half: 21.9 mm. Color: RHS 143C (Strong yellow green). Texture: Smooth. Five-year-old canes (mature canes).—Length: 117.1 cm. Diameter at the base: 27.8 mm. Diameter at the tip: 4.5 mm. Internode length on the upper half: 32.7 mm. Color: RHS 197C (Light greyish olive). Texture: Rough. Leaves: Length.—6.0 cm. Width.—3.3 cm. Length/width ratio.—1.8. Shape.—Ovate. Margin.—Entire. Apex shape.—Cuspidate. Base shape.—Cuneate. Arrangement.—Alternate. Venation.—Reticulate. Vein color.—RHS 139B (Moderate yellowish green). Color on upper side.—RHS 137A. (Moderate olive green). Color on lower side.—RHS N138C (Pale greenish yellow). Glaucosity on upper side.—Absent or weak. Trichomes on upper side.—Glabrous (absent). Glossiness.—Dull. Petiole.—Length: 4.6 mm. Diameter: 2.2 mm. Color: RHS 143D (Moderate yellow green). Texture: Smooth. Sheath.—Presence of leaf sheath: Present. Color: RHS 143D (Moderate yellow green). Texture: Smooth. Flowers: Flower length (excluding pedicel).—9.6 mm. Flower diameter.—6.4 mm. Flower length/width ratio.—1.5. Color.—RHS 155B (Yellowish white). Fragrance.—Faint. Inflorescence peduncle.—Length: 22.4 mm. Diameter: 1.3 mm. Color: RHS 141D (Strong yellow green). Flower bud.—Length: 6.6 mm. Width: 2.8 mm. Number of flowers per bud: 5.8. Anthocyanin coloration: Medium. Anthocyanin color: RHS 59B (Deep purplish red). Flower pedicel.—Length: 7.4 mm. Diameter: 0.9 mm. Color: RHS 141D (Strong yellow green). Corolla.—Shape: Ovoid. Color of corolla tube: RHS 155B (Yellowish white). Anthocyanin coloration of corolla tube on outer side: Absent or very weak. Conspicuousness of ridges on corolla tube: Medium. Color of receptacle: RHS 137A (Moderate olive green). Diameter of corolla aperture: 3.3 mm. Petal: Petal width (ridge to ridge): 3.9 mm. Color: RHS 155B (Yellowish white). Sepal: Length: 2.8 mm. Width: 3.7 mm. Color: RHS 138B (Moderate yellow green). Reproductive organs.—Style: Length (including stigma): 8.1 mm. Color: RHS 144B (Strong yellow green). Ovary: Color: RHS 138B (Moderate yellow green). Stamen: Length: 5.4 mm. Color: RHS 144D (Light yellow green). Pollen: Amount: Low. Pollen color: RHS 40D (Strong yellowish pink). Flowering interval on one-year-old shoot.—March to April. Flowering interval on current season's shoot.—November to January. Fruit: Length.—13.14 mm. Width.—19.35 mm. Length/ width ratio.—0.68. Weight.—3.2 grams/fruit. Shape in longitudinal section.—Oblate. Attitude of sepals.—Straight. Calyx basin.—Diameter: 7.3 mm. Depth: 3.7 mm. Diameter/depth ratio: 2.0. Infructescence (fruit cluster).—Number of berries per cluster: 5.4. Density: Medium. Peduncle length: 45.5 mm. Peduncle diameter: 2.1 mm. Peduncle surface texture: Rough. Peduncle color: RHS 144D (Light yellow green). Fruit pedicel.—Length: 8.2 mm. Diameter: 1.2 mm. Surface texture: Smooth. Color: RHS N144D (Strong yellow green). Color of unripe fruit.—RHS 149D (Pale yellow green). Intensity of bloom.—Strong. 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.—Very firm. Fruit sweetness.—High. Fruit acidity.—Low. Seed.—Diameter: 0.7 mm. Color: RHS 166B (Moderate reddish brown). Abundance: Medium. Fruiting.—Fruiting type: On one-year-old shoots and current season's shoots. Harvest interval on one-year-old shoot: March to April. Harvest interval on current season's shoot: October to December. 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. Shipping and storage characteristics: Following harvest, fruit can be stored for 21 days when maintained under cooled temperatures that are standard for blueberry storage. Resistance to abiotic stress, pests, and diseases: Heat.—Moderately susceptible. Cold resistance/USDA Hardiness Zone.—Plants can be grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b (25 to 30° F./−3.9 to −1.1° C.). Spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii).—Moderately susceptible. Botrytis fruit rot (Botrytis cinerea).—Moderately resistant. Powdery mildew (Podasphaera macularis).—Moderately susceptible.

COMPARISONS TO PARENTAL, SIBLING, AND REFERENCE BLUEBERRY VARIETIES

(8) ‘DrisBlueTwenty Six’ differs from the female parent proprietary blueberry plant ‘196H3’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisBlueTwentySix’ has earlier production and improved plant appearance compared to ‘196H3’. In addition, fruit of ‘DrisBlueTwentySix’ is more firm and has a sweeter flavor than fruit of ‘196H3’.

(9) ‘DrisBlueTwenty Six’ differs from the male parent proprietary blueberry plant ‘7J301’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisBlueTwentySix’ has earlier production compared to ‘7J301’, In addition, fruit of ‘DrisBlueTwentySix’ is more firm and larger than fruit of ‘7J301’.

(10) ‘DrisBlueTwentySix’ differs from its sibling blueberry plant variety ‘DrisBlueTwentyTwo’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 33,066) in that ‘DrisBlueTwentySix’ has an ovate leaf shape, a cuspidate shape of leaf apex, an ovoid shape of corolla, and a strong intensity of bloom on fruit, whereas ‘DrisBlueTwentyTwo’ has an elliptic leaf shape, an acute shape of leaf apex, an urceolate shape of corolla, and a medium intensity of bloom on fruit.

(11) ‘DrisBlueTwentySix’ differs from the reference blueberry plant variety ‘DrisBlueSeven’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,605) in that ‘DrisBlueTwentySix’ has strong plant vigor, rough texture on five-year-old canes (mature canes), an ovate leaf shape, and an ovoid shape of corolla, whereas ‘DrisBlueSeven’ has medium plant vigor, smooth texture on five-year-old canes (mature canes), an elliptic leaf shape, and an urceolate shape of corolla. In addition, ‘DrisBlueTwentySix’ has fruiting on one-year-old and current season's shoots, while ‘DrisBlueSeven’ has fruiting on one-year-old shoots only.

(12) ‘DrisBlueTwentySix’ differs from the reference blueberry plant variety ‘DrisBlueThirteen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,451) in that ‘DrisBlueTwentySix’ has weak cane renewal, a cuspidate shape of leaf apex, dull leaves, and a strong intensity of bloom on mature fruit, whereas ‘DrisBlueThirteen’ has strong cane renewal, an acute shape of leaf apex, glossy leaves, and a weak intensity of bloom on mature fruit. In addition, ‘DrisBlueTwentySix’ has fruiting on one-year-old and current season's shoots, while ‘DrisBlueThirteen’ has fruiting on one-year-old shoots only.