Blueberry plant named ‘DrisBlueTwentyFour’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant named ‘DrisBlueTwentyFour’, particularly selected for its sweet flavor, large fruit size, upright growth habit, and early season production, is disclosed.

Claims

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

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

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates leaves of variety ‘DrisBlueTwentyFour’. 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 ‘DrisBlueTwentyFour’. The flower cluster on the left shows the bottom view, the flower cluster in the middle shows the top view, and the flower cluster on the right shows the side view.

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates top views of whole fruits (top row) and longitudinal sections (bottom row) of variety ‘DrisBlueTwentyFour’. The two fruits on the top left show the bottom view (fruit-pedicel junction) of the whole fruit, whereas the two fruits on the top right show the top view (calyx basin) 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 side views of whole fruits (top row) and longitudinal sections (bottom row) of variety ‘DrisBlueTwentyFour’.

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates buds on plants of variety ‘DrisBlueTwentyFour’.

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates flowers on plants of variety ‘DrisBlueTwentyFour’.

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates whole plants of variety ‘DrisBlueTwentyFour’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(10) The following description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisBlueTwentyFour’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Linn County, Oreg. from 2011 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. ‘DrisBlueTwentyFour’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Unless noted otherwise, the botanical description of ‘DrisBlueTwentyFour’ was taken from plants that were seven 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.—‘DrisBlueTwentyFour’. Parentage: Female parent.—The proprietary blueberry plant ‘136D 2’ (unpatented). Male parent.—The proprietary blueberry plant ‘8B 4’ (unpatented). Plant: Height.—120.1 cm. Width.—117.6 cm. Length/width ratio.—1.0. Vigor.—Medium. Growth habit.—Upright. Chilling requirements.—Minimum of 1,000 hours of chilling below 7° C. for proper vegetative and floral bud break. One-year-old canes (young canes).—Length: 17 cm. Diameter at the base: 3 mm. Diameter at the tip: 2 mm. Internode length on the upper half: 11.7 mm. Color: RHS 176A (Greyish red). Five-year-old canes (mature canes).—Length: 68 cm. Diameter at the base: 18 mm. Diameter at the tip: 11 mm. Color: RHS 199D (Dark greyish yellow). Leaves: Length.—65.0 mm. Width.—36.0 mm. Length/width ratio.—1.8. Shape.—Ovate. Margin.—Entire. Color on upper side.—RHS 146A (Moderate olive green). Color of lower side.—RHS N138C (Pale green). Leaf tip shape.—Acute. Leaf base shape.—Cuneate. Petiole.—Length: 3.6 mm. Diameter: 1.47 mm. Color: RHS 143D (Moderate yellow-green). Flowers: Flower length (excluding peduncle).—10.92 mm. Flower diameter.—8.82 mm. Flower length/width ratio.—1.2. Flower bud.—Length: 6.94 mm. Width: 4.14 mm. Number of flowers per bud: 8. Color with anthocyanin present: RHS 63B (Strong purplish red). Flower pedicel.—Length: 5.41 mm. Diameter: 1.16 mm. Corolla.—Shape: Urceolate. Color of corolla tube (with anthocyanin coloration): RHS 8C (Light greenish yellow). Ridges on corolla tube: Present. Petal width (ridge to ridge): 2.81 mm. Diameter of corolla aperture: 3.72 mm. Reproductive organs.—Style length (including stigma): 8.74 mm. Flowering interval on one-year-old shoot.—April to end of May. Fruit: Length.—16.56 mm. Diameter.—20.60 mm. Length/width ratio.—0.8. Weight.—1.9 grams. Shape in longitudinal section.—Round to oblate. Attitude of sepals.—Erect to semi-erect. Type of sepals.—50% incurving and 50% reflexed. Calyx basin.—Diameter: 6.72 mm. Depth: 1.41 mm. Diameter/depth ratio: 4.8. Number of berries per cluster.—8.70. Fruit cluster peduncle length.—23.26 mm. Fruit cluster peduncle color.—RHS 144C (Strong yellow-green). Diameter of fruit pedicel.—1.15 mm. Color of unripe fruit.—RHS 145A (Strong yellow green). Intensity of bloom.—Medium. Color of fruit without bloom on mature fruit.—RHS 103A (Greyish purplish blue). Fruit flesh color.—RHS 192A (Pale yellow-green). Fruit firmness.—Medium. Brix (soluble solids).—13.9. Seed.—Length: 1.20 mm. Width: 0.78 mm. Length/width ratio: 1.5. Seed color: RHS N167B (Brownish orange). Fruiting type.—On one-year-old shoots only. Ripening interval on one-year-old shoot.—Mid-June to mid-August. Yield.—16,000 kg to 26,000 kg of fruit per hectare per season from 84-month old plants when grown at Albany, Oreg. Resistance to abiotic stress, pests, and diseases: Botrytis fruit rot (botrytis cinerea).—Moderately susceptible. Blueberry shock virus.—Susceptible.

COMPARISONS TO PARENTAL AND REFERENCE BLUEBERRY VARIETIES

(11) ‘DrisBlueTwentyFour’ differs from the proprietary female parent ‘136D 2’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisBlueTwentyFour’ has a higher chilling requirement, better flavor, and larger fruit size when compared to female parent ‘136D 2’.

(12) ‘DrisBlueTwentyFour’ differs from the proprietary male parent ‘8B 4’ (unpatented) in that it has a better overall appearance, better flavor, and larger fruit size when compared to male parent ‘8B 4’.

(13) ‘DrisBlueTwentyFour’ differs from the reference blueberry plant variety ‘DrisBlueTen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,643) in that ‘DrisBlueTwentyFour’ has an upright growth habit, ovate leaf shape, medium anthocyanin coloration on corolla tube, and medium intensity of bloom on fruit, whereas ‘DrisBlueTen’ has a semi-upright to spreading growth habit, elliptic leaf shape, very weak or absent anthocyanin coloration on corolla tube, and strong intensity of bloom on fruit.

(14) ‘DrisBlueTwentyFour’ differs from the reference blueberry plant variety ‘DrisBlueFourteen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,622) in that ‘DrisBlueTwentyFour’ has an upright growth habit, medium plant vigor, ovate leaf shape, and medium fruit firmness, whereas ‘DrisBlueFourteen’ has a semi-upright growth habit, strong plant vigor, elliptic leaf shape, and firm fruit.