Cranberry plant named ‘CNJ99-9-25’

Abstract

A new cranberry variety distinguished by midseason ripening and high productivity, especially in peat soils and moderate oceanic climate. Fruit are moderate to large in size, with variable shape, from widely ovate to oblong to pyriform.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of cranberry plant, substantially as herein shown and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) FIG. 1 shows representative CNJ99-9-25 fruit.

(2) The colors of an illustration of this type may vary with lighting and other conditions, therefore, color characteristics of this new variety should be determined with reference to the observations described herein, rather than from these illustrations alone.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(3) The following detailed description of the CNJ99-9-25 variety is based on observations of plants growing in the field in Chatsworth, N.J. The characteristics of the variety were compared to Stevens (unpatented), and CNJ99-9-96 (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,657), two widely used cranberry varieties. The observed plantings were 3-6 years of age. Scientific name: Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait. Parentage: Seed parent.Variety NJS98-23 (derived from a Ben Lear x Stevens cross). Pollen parent.Variety #35 (derived from a Howes x Searles cross). Plant: Vigor.General observations of CNJ99-9-25 plantings indicate average plant vigor in mineral soils, and vigorous stolon growth in peat soils. Growth habit.Trailing shrub with very slender stems. Upright length.7.8 cm (mean of 20 uprights). Stem diameter.1.2 mm at base of current year's growth (mean of 20 stems). Internodes.Internode length was 7.0 mm on 1-year old runners (mean of 12 runners). Productivity.In established test plots in Chatsworth, N.J., CNJ99-9-25 yields were greater than Stevens and Haines (unpatented) (4-yr average: 663 g/ft.sup.2 vs. 368 and 450 g/ft.sup.2, respectively). Hardiness.Zones 4-7 (from USDA Misc. Publ. 814). Disease resistance.No disease resistance data available for foliar or root pathogens; no unusual propensity to foliar/stem diseases observed. Leaves: The length, width and other measurements were obtained from observations of 20 typical fully developed leaves on Mar. 20, 2019. Color was determined on actively growing plants. Texture.Coriaceous (leathery) on upper and lower surfaces. Length.Mean of 9.2 mm, with a maximum 10.6 mm. Width.Mean of 4.0 mm, with a maximum width of 4.8 mm. Shape.Elliptic (2.3:1; length to width). Apex shape.Rounded. Base shape.Rounded, nearly sessile. Margin.Entire, slightly revolute. Leaf color.Upper leaf surface color ranges from bright green (143C, green group) in new growth to deep green in mature leaves (most are RHS 137C, with some slightly darker 137B). Pubescence.Non-glandular trichomes found along leaf margins towards leaf apex. Leaf arrangement.Uprights (vertical fruiting and non-fruiting shoots) have a highly condensed, somewhat whorled leaf arrangement with very short internode lengths, and the runners (stolons) have alternate, horizontal leaves with somewhat elongated internodes. Color of the lower leaf surface.191B (Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2001), greyed green group. Petiole length.1.35 mm. Petiole diameter (at midpoint of petiole).0.38 mm. Petiole color.N144, yellow green group. (Mean of 10 petioles, leaves removed from the upright to measure, used current year's growth.). Vein color.N144, yellow green group, on upper surface of leaf, mid-vein is lighter in color than leaf. Venation pattern.Pinnately-parallel (one central midvein with smaller veins at nearly right angle to the midvein). Flowers: Observations are from 10 typical flowers collected from test plots in Chatsworth, N.J., Jun. 28, 2019. Size and shape.Slender, nodding flowers on erect pedicels and in clusters of typically 3-6 flowers; corolla long-conic in bud, petals fully reflexed and divided nearly to the base when open. Unopened corolla.Deep pink in color (70D, red-purple group). Opened flower.Measuring approximately 10 mm across, 4 petals per flower. Petals: narrow and revolute in shape, 10.2 mm by 2.4 mm; pale pink in color (69C, red-purple group); glabrous texture on upper and lower surfaces. Pedicel.18.0 mm in length with a pubescent texture; color ranges from pale green (195D, greyed green group) to pink (red group 48C). Pedicel diameter.0.50 mm (Mean of 10 pedicels, 10 full-sized fruit from 10 uprights removed and pedicel measured close to the point of attachment to upright). Bloom season.Bloom typically begins in early June and continues throughout the month. Flowering phenology for CNJ99-9-25 is earlier than Stevens by a few days, with peak bloom typically occurring between June 10 and 18 in New Jersey. Mean number of flowers per upright.4.0 (n=30 uprights). Fruit: Observations are from 20 typical fruit harvested from test plots in Chatsworth, N.J., Oct. 4 and 7, 2019. Shape.Varying from ovate to slightly pyriform, or oblong to moderately round (FIG. 1); fruit length to width ratio ranges from 1.1:1 to 1.7:1; calyx end rounded to slightly flattened, with small, mostly closed calyx lobes; pedicel end sometimes mildly elongated. Size.In NJ, average size was 2.3 cm long (pedicel end to calyx end) and 1.6 cm wide. Fruit weight averages 2.1-2.4 g/berry (NJ) and 1.6-2.1 g/berry (WI). Skin.Shiny, slight waxy bloom around calyx (FIG. 1). Fruit skin color.Ranged from 46B (red group) for the lightest berries, to N186B (greyed-purple group) for the darkest (harvested October 2019). Fruit flesh color.157B, green white group. Stem pit.Small and slightly indented, 1.3 mm in diameter. Average weight.50 berry samples collected from test plots in 2007-2010 had yearly mean berry weights ranging from 2.1 g to 2.4 g, with a maximum berry weight of 3.2 g. Number of seeds.Mean seed number per berry was 12.6; with a maximum of 20 seeds/berry observed. Seeds: Observations are from 10 seeds extracted from typical fruit harvested from test plots in Chatsworth, N.J., October 2019. Size.2.2 mm in length by 1.4 mm in width. Shape.An oval that is slightly triangular and with elongated pointed ends. Color.165b (greyed orange group, R.H.S.). Texture.Striated. Fruit chemistry: 100 g samples of fruit were harvested each year from test plots in Chatsworth, N.J. and evaluated for fruit chemistry. TAcy in CNJ99-9-25 (in mid-September ranges from 17 to 29 mg/100 g FW), is similar to Haines (20 to 34 mg/100 g FW) and greater than Stevens (10 to 21 mg/100 g FW). CNJ99-9-25 had titratable acidity values ranging from 2.4% to 2.8% and Brix values of 7.0% to 8.4%, typical of many cranberry varieties. Fruit production: CNJ99-9-25 season is mid-season, ripening after early varieties (e.g., Ben Lear), and before later season varieties (Stevens and CNJ97-105-4; U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,434). Usage: Most suitable for processed cranberry products and fresh fruit. Disease resistance: In New Jersey, where disease pressure is severe, CNJ99-9-25 typically has similar fruit rot (a disease complex of over 15 pathogens, primarily Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Physalospora vaccinii, Phyllosticta vaccinii, Phomopsis vaccinii, and Coleophoma empetri) to Haines.