MANDARIN TREE NAMED 'PE1'

Abstract

A new and distinct mandarin tree characterized by a ripening 2 3 weeks earlier than Nadorcott, having better rind quality (e.g., smoother rind, less prone to sunburn, less ridging, firmer peel, and a lighter color with an attractive blush), and a more round shape than Nadorcott.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of mandarin tree, substantially as herein shown and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The accompanying illustration shows typical specimens of the leaves, flowers, and fruit of this new variety depicted in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in a color illustration of this character.

[0011] FIG. 1 shows a leaves on a Patensie Eearly tree. The leaves of Patensie Early are similar in leaf shape and size, but slightly paler in color, compared with leaves of Nadorcott under the same condition.

[0012] FIG. 2 shows flowers on a of Patensie Early tree, which are similar to those found on Nadorcott.

[0013] FIG. 3 shows fruit from Patensie Early and Nadorcott trees, demonstrating the earlier rind color development of Patensie Early fruit compared with Nadorcott fruit under the same growing conditions.

[0014] FIG. 4 shows fruit from Patensie Early, Nova (unpatented) and Tango (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,863) trees, demonstrating the early color break of the rind of Patensie Early compared with Tango, but similar to Nova.

[0015] FIG. 5 shows fully mature fruit from Patensie Early (upper) and Nadorcott (lower) trees, demonstrating the earlier rind color development of Patensie Early fruit compared with Nadorcott fruit under the same growing conditions as well as less ribbing/radial grooves.

[0016] FIG. 6 shows Patensie Early trees in a trial plot in Patensie, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0017] The following is a detailed description of the new mandarin based on observations taken of a 5 year-old specimen grown in trial beds outside in full sun in Patensie, Eastern Cape South Africa. The color descriptions are all based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 5.sup.th edition, 2007. [0018] Parentage: Spontaneous mutation of Nadorcott. [0019] Tree: [0020] Ploidy.Dipolid. [0021] Size.Same as Nadorcott. [0022] Height.3.5 m. [0023] Tree spread.2.3 m. [0024] Vigor.Strong. [0025] Density.Open to medium, similar to Nadorcott mandarin. [0026] Form.Generally upright in the first 4 years followed by a tendency to grow into more spherical shape in the following years, similar to Nadorcott mandarin. [0027] Trunk: [0028] Trunk diameter.17 cm in diameter at a height of 35 cm above the ground, 5 year old tree. [0029] Trunk texture.Smooth, similar to Nadorcott mandarin. [0030] Trunk bark color.RHS grey-brown N199A, similar to Nadorcott mandarin. [0031] Branches: [0032] Branch length.400 mm. [0033] Branch diameter.170 mm. [0034] Branch texture.Smooth. [0035] Branch color.RHS grey-brown N199A. [0036] Strength.Strong. [0037] Thorniness.Typically absent, rarely short spines (3 to 6 mm in length). [0038] Roots: The roots are on rootstock Swingle Citrumelo. [0039] Leaves: [0040] Size (lamina average).Length: 78 mm. Width: 34.3 mm. [0041] Shape.Ellipical. [0042] Apex.Acute to abtuse. [0043] Margin.Crenate. [0044] Surface.Upper surface: smooth. Lower surface: smooth. [0045] Color.Upper surface (apaxial): RHS green 137A. Lower surface (abaxial): RHS yellow-green 146B; the leaves of Patensie Early are similar in leaf shape and size, but slightly paler in color compared with leaves of Nadorcott under the same condition. [0046] Petiole.Shape: petiolate. Length: 9.2 mm. Diameter: 1.4 mm. Color: RHS Green 137C. [0047] Flowers and flower buds: [0048] Type.Clustered influorescent type. [0049] Bearing.Once per year. [0050] Flower diameter.6 mm. [0051] Flower height.13 mm. [0052] Flower blooming period.First bloom: Observed Aug. 15, Full bloom: Observed Sept 20 in Eastern Cape Province, Patensie [0053] Number of flowers.Normal single and cluster, same as Nadorcott. [0054] Color.RHS green-white 1570. [0055] Rostellum: [0056] Length.6 mm. [0057] Thickness.1 mm. [0058] Color.RHS Green 137A. [0059] Fruit: [0060] Size.Uniform. [0061] Shape.Slightly oblate, approximately 0.85 ratio of height to width; less oblate and more round than Nadorcott mandarin fruit. [0062] Tall.37 to 53 mm. [0063] Width.42 to 62 mm. [0064] Average weight (per individual fruit).90 g. [0065] Texture.Smooth, similar to Nadorcott mandarin fruit. [0066] Stylar-end.slightly depressed stylar end with no navel or stylar opening but an obvious areola. [0067] Color.RHS orange N25B when fully mature, green fruit is RHS yellow-green 147B; early color development than Nadorcott. [0068] Harvesting.First pick around October 6 (based on season and rootstock); last pick around July 25 (based on season and rootstock), in South Africa, Eastern Cape Province, Patensie. Approximately 3 weeks earlier than Nadorcott under the same growing conditions. [0069] Productivity.Good (30 to 50 kg per tree on 4- and 5-year-old trees), similar to Nadorcott. [0070] Fruit skin: [0071] Adherence.Easy peeling when fruit are mature. [0072] Thickness.2.5 to 3.0 mm; typically slightly thinner than Nadorcott mandarin. [0073] Texture.Smooth with less ribbing/radial grooves at the stem-end compared with Nadorcott fruit which typically have ribbing at the stem-end. [0074] Color.Earlier rind color development compared with Nadorcott; Flavedo (epicarp) orange when fully mature (RHS orange N25B); Albedo (mesocarp): RHS orange 24D. [0075] Fruit flesh: [0076] Flesh (pulp) texture.Smooth. [0077] Flesh (pulp) color.RHS orange-red N30D. [0078] Number of segments.9 to 11. [0079] Juice content.Typically +50% when fully mature. [0080] Eating quality.Typically +12 Brix and 1.0 to 1.2% acidity at maturity with lower acidity than Nadorcott when Patensie Early is at optimal fruit maturity. [0081] Seeds: [0082] Number.Zero when not cross pollinate by compatible pollen; numerous seeds when cross-pollinated by compatible pollen. [0083] Embryony.Polyembryonic. [0084] Seed coat color.Grey-yellow 162D, similar to Nadorcott.