Mandarin tree named ‘12C009’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of mandarin tree named ‘12C009’, particularly selected for non-acidic flavour profiles and distinguished by the smooth skin texture, cleanness of peeling and high Brix levels, is disclosed.

Claims

1. A new and distinct mandarin tree called ‘12C009’ as illustrated and described herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Mandarin tree variety ‘12C009’ is shown in the accompanying photographs, illustrating typical fruit external and internal appearance, uniformity and tree productivity. The illustrated trees and fruit were grown under subtropical conditions in central Queensland, Australia and colors are as true as can be captured photographically. Field photographs are of plants that are four years old.

(2) FIG. 1 shows fruit cross-section of ‘12C009’ (right panel) compared to the progenitor with higher seed numbers (left panel) used during the two rounds of mutation breeding.

(3) FIG. 2 shows fruit of ‘12C009’ from four different angles.

(4) FIG. 3 shows whole fruit on a tree of ‘12C009’ along with typical leaf morphology.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(5) The following descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘12C009’. Unless where otherwise noted, the data that define these characteristics are based on observations taken from ‘12C009’ plants that were four years old, grown on ‘Troyer’ (unpatented) rootstock in a subtropical environment at Mundubbera, Australia. 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. ‘12C009’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. 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.—Rutaceae. Botanical.—Citrus reticulata. Common name.—Mandarin. Variety name.—‘12C009’. Tree: Ploidy.—Diploid. Size.—Trees have a medium to large stature, similar to ‘Ellendale’ and ‘Murcott’. Height.—3.8 m. Width.—3.7 m. Vigor.—Trees grow vigorously when young but early and heavy cropping helps to restrain subsequent vigor. Growth habit.—Elliptic to oblong. Density.—Canopy is light to medium in density resulting from long branches with sometimes low crotch angles. Bearing.—Productive from an early age with no evidence of alternate bearing. Trunk: Trunk diameter.—21.5 cm at 30 cm above graft. Trunk texture.—Finely raised. Trunk color.—RHS N200C (Grey). Branches: Crotch angle.—Major branches at 45-50-degree crotch angle. Branch length.—1.3 to 1.7 m. Branch texture.—Smooth becoming finely raised on older branches. Branch color.—RHS N200C (Grey). Thorn prevalence.—Occasional on some branches, varying with age of growth within the tree canopy; low-vigor growth on older wood has only rudimentary (<2 mm) thorns, similar to what is seen on many existing commercial mandarin cultivars. Thorn length (vigorous shoots).—12 mm. Thorn width at base (vigorous shoots).—2.5 mm. Thorn color.—RHS 138A (Green). Leaves: Size (lamina average).—Length: 65 mm. Width: 39 mm. L/W ratio: 1.7. Arrangement.—Alternate. Type.—Simple. Shape.—Obovate. Color of upper surface.—RHS 139A (Green). Color of lower surface.—RHS 137C (Green). Thickness.—Regular and consistent with commercial mandarin cultivars. Shape.—Obovate. Blade margin.—Crenate. Apex shape.—Obtuse, emarginated at tip. Base shape.—Acute. Texture of upper (adaxial) surface.—Glabrous, glossy. Texture of lower (abaxial) surface.—Glabrous. Venation.—Prominent on lower surface with 1° midrib and 2° laterals raised, 3° and 4° interlaterals weakly developed. Midrib color.—RHS 146A (Yellow-Green). Petiole length.—10 mm. Petiole diameter.—2 mm. Petiole color.—RHS 146A (Yellow-Green). Petiole wings.—Rudimentary; linear, extending half the length of the petiole from the lamina, seldom more than 1 mm wide. Color of petiole wing (upper surface).—RHS 139A (Green). Color of petiole wing (lower surface).—RHS 137C (Green). Petiole attachment.—Articulate, brevipetiolate. Flowers: Type.—Hermaphroditic. Blooming period.—Commencing ˜25th August with full bloom ˜24th September in Queensland, Australia. Length.—13 mm. Diameter.—6 mm. Flower petals.—Number: 5. Color of upper and lower surface: RHS 155B (white). Oil glands: Present on external surface. Length: 11 mm. Width: 4 mm. Shape of apex: Obtuse. Shape of base: Truncate. Margin: Entire. Arrangement within bud: Imbricate. Calyx: Small. Fragrance.—Typical of mandarin. Reproductive organs.—Fertility: Self-fertile. Pollen amount: Moderately abundant. Pollen fertility: Low (assessed via aceto-carmine staining). Number of stamens per flower: 20. Anther color: RHS 12B (Yellow). Filament color: RHS 155B (White). Pollen color: RHS 12C (Yellow). Fruit: Axial diameter.—87 mm. Apical diameter.—53 mm. Weight.—196 g. General shape in profile.—Obloid. Shape in transverse section.—Somewhat angular. Shape of fruit base.—Truncate, occasionally with wrinkles. Shape of fruit apex.—Truncate. Neck.—Absent. Fruit surface texture.—Smooth. Color of fruit surface (epicarp).—RHS 28A (Orange-red). Color of fruit flesh (mesocarp).—RHS 25A (Orange). Segment length.—49 mm. Segment width.—28 mm. Adherence of mesocarp to endocarp.—Weak and peels away cleanly. Navel.—Absent. Areola.—Generally absent but occasionally grooved. Rind thickness.—3.3 mm. Segment number.—10-12. Harvest window.—Late-season: end-July (southern hemisphere subtropics). Juice soluble solid.—12.4°Brix (end-July). Juice acidity.—0.95% citric acid equivalent (end-July). Fruit storage.—Fruit stored for 42 days at 5° C. retained their appearance and eating quality. Fruit subjected to a 41 day simulated supply chain regime (30 days at 1.5° C., followed by 2 days at 25° C., followed by 2 days at 5° C., and finally 7 days at 25° C.) only developed off-flavors if they had been coated with a shellac-based wax (carnauba), and un-waxed fruit did not develop off-flavors. Seeds.—0-5 per fruit. Seed shape.—Ovoid-clavate. Seed length.—13 mm. Seed width.—7 mm. Seed fresh weight.—0.3 g. Cotyledon color.—RHS 155A (White). Seed type.—Polyembryonic. Alternaria brown spot reaction.—Susceptible.