<i>Cannabis </i>plant named ‘HOLY CRUNCH’

Abstract

The present invention provides a new and distinct cannabis cultivar designated as HOLY CRUNCH. Disclosed herein are main terpenes of HOLY CRUNCH, which are beta-caryophyllene, limonene, myrcene, linalool, alpha-humulene, trans-ocimene, alpha-bisabolol, and alpha-pinene. Also, the present invention provides the estimated concentration of the THC.sub.max, CBD.sub.max, and CBG.sub.max, about 6.56-16.74%, about 6.49-15.28%, and about 0.25-1.87%, respectively, at the time of assaying metabolites from flower samples of HOLY CRUNCH.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Cannabis plant named HOLY CRUNCH substantially as shown and described herein.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying color photographs depict characteristics of the new HOLY CRUNCH plants as nearly true as possible to make color reproductions. The overall appearance of the HOLY CRUNCH plants in photographs is shown in colors that may differ slightly from the color values described in the detailed botanical description.

(2) FIG. 1 shows an overall view of the HOLY CRUNCH plant from the side.

(3) FIG. 2A shows a close view of a single leaf of the check variety BLK03 plant.

(4) FIG. 2B shows a close view of a single leaf of the new variety HOLY CRUNCH plant.

(5) FIG. 3A shows top parts (including inflorescence) of the BLK03 plant from the side.

(6) FIG. 3B shows top parts (including inflorescence) of the HOLY CRUNCH plant from the side.

(7) FIG. 4 shows a close view of flowers of the HOLY CRUNCH plant at the late flowering/mature stage.

(8) FIG. 5 shows another close view of flowers of the HOLY CRUNCH plant at the late flowering/mature stage.

(9) FIG. 6 shows a reproductive part of a sample cannabis plant, indicating position/location of a flower, a bract and a stipule in the plant. The sample cannabis plant in FIG. 6 is not the claimed HOLY CRUNCH plant.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(10) HOLY CRUNCH has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions, and the phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment. The following observations, measurements, and comparisons describe this plant as grown at Salinas, Calif., when grown in the greenhouse, nursery or field, unless otherwise noted.

(11) Plants for the botanical measurements in the present application are annual plants. In the following description, the color determination is in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 Edition, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

(12) The cannabis plant disclosed herein was derived from female and male parents that are internally designated as below.

(13) A GNBR internal Code of the cannabis plant named HOLY CRUNCH is R8.P4.01, also known as RED08.P08P0104.01. A GNBR Breeding Code is (R08)x(P08.P01.04).01. The additional number 0.01 was only assigned to the 1.sup.st individual plant (i.e. HOLY CRUNCH) selected from progenies of the cross event between pollen acceptor (RED08) and pollen donor (P08.P01.04). HOLY CRUNCH is a fertile hybrid derived from a controlled-cross between two proprietary cultivars: (i) RED08 (pollen acceptor; female parent), also known as R08 and (ii) P08.P01.04 (pollen donor; male parent), also known as P08P0104. The initial cross between two parental cultivars was made in February 2016. The primary phenotypic criteria used to select the new and distinct cannabis cultivar disclosed herein is as follows: structure score, nose/organoleptic testing, mold susceptibility/resistance, and insect susceptibility/resistance. Also, the first asexual propagation of HOLY CRUNCH occurred on Aug. 20, 2016 in Salinas, Calif.

(14) The following traits in combination further distinguish the cannabis cultivar HOLY CRUNCH from the check variety BLK03, which is set as a standard for phenotypic comparison. Tables 2 to 6 present phenotypic traits and/or characteristics of HOLY CRUNCH compared to the check variety BLK03 as follows. All plants were raised together and evaluated when 100 days old (i.e., 25 days in vegetative stage, 15 days in propagation stage, and 60 days in flowering times).

(15) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 General Characteristics Character- istics New Variety Check Variety (BLK03) Plant life An herbaceous plant (herb) An herbaceous plant (herb) forms Plant An upright, tap-rooted annual An upright, tap-rooted annual growth plant; forming fibrous roots plant; forming fibrous roots habit when asexually propagated when asexually propagated Plant A controlled-cross between A controlled-cross between origin pollen acceptor (RED08) and pollen acceptor (GLD13) and pollen donor (P08.P01.04) pollen donor (BSIA) Plant Asexually propagated by stem Asexually propagated by stem propa- cuttings and cloning cuttings and cloning gation Propa- Moderate Moderate gation ease Height 1.0-1.9 m 0.5-2.5 m Width 102 cm 119.5 cm Plant vigor High Medium Time to 14 weeks 8 weeks Harvest (Seed to Harvest) Resistance Resistant to pests as follows; Not Resistant to pests as to pests (1) Two-spotted spider mite follows; (1) Two spotted spider or (Tetranychus urticae (Koch)); mite (Tetranychus urticae diseases (2) Aphids species such as: (Koch)); (2) Aphids species Cannabis Aphids (Phorodon such as: Cannabis Aphids cannabis), Green Peach Aphid (Phorodon cannabis), Green (Myzus persicae (Sulzer)), Peach Aphid (Myzus persicae Foxglove Aphid (Aulacorthum (Sulzer)), Foxglove Aphid solani), Peach Aphid (Aulacorthum solani), Peach (Macrosiphum euphorbiae), Aphid (Macrosiphum Black Bean Aphid (Aphis euphorbiae), Black Bean Aphid fabae);(3) Whitefly (Tria- (Aphis fabae); (3) whitefly leurodes vaporariorum; (4) (Trialeurodes vaporariorum); Lepidoptera species such as: (4) Lepidoptera species such as: Armyworm (Spodoptera frup- Armyworm (Spodoptera perda), Cabbage Whites (Pieris frupperda), Cabbage Whites rapae), Painted Lady (Vanessa (Pieris rapae), Painted Lady cardui), Lepidoptera sp. (Vanessa cardui), Lepidoptera Resistant to diseases as sp. follows; Botrytis/Flower Rot Not resistant to diseases as (Botrytis cinerea) and Pow- follows; Botrytis/Flower Rot dery Mildew (Podosphaera (Botrytis cinerea) and Powdery xanthii) Mildew (Podosphaera xanthii) Geneti- NO NO cally- modified organism

(16) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Leaf/Foliage Check Variety Characteristics New Variety (BLK03) Leaf Alternate Alternate arrangement Leaf shape Palmately compound Palmately compound Leaf structure Obovate leaflet blades with Linear-lanceolate leaf- glandular hairs let blades with gland- ular hairs Leaf margins Dentate, coarsely serrated, and Dentate, coarsely ser- the teeth point away from the tip rated, and the teeth point away from the tip Leaf hairs Present on both upper and lower Present on both upper surfaces; dense and lower surfaces Leaf length with 38.5 cm 16.6 cm petiole at maturity Leaf width at 10.8-19.4 cm 10.7 cm maturity Petiole length at 17.0 cm 6.5 cm maturity Petiole color 142B 140C (RHS No.) Intensity of Weak/absent from early Medium (vegetative petiole vegetative stage until later stage); very strong anthocyanin flowering at which point the (late flowering stage) anthocyanin coloration could be considered very weak Stipule length at 0.9 cm 0.7 cm maturity Stipule shape Elliptical Elliptical Stipule color 140C 149B (RHS No.) No. of leaflets 3-5 5-7 Middle largest 20.2 cm 9.8 cm (longest) leaflet length Middle largest 5.4 cm 2.3 cm (longest) leaflet width Middle largest 20.2:5.4 9.8:2.3 (longest) leaflet length/width ratio No. teeth of 25 25 middle leaflet (average) Leaf (upper 133A; dark green 132A side) color (RHS No.) Leaf (lower 137C 134D side) color (RHS No.) Leaf glossiness Strong at the upper surface Strong at the upper surface Vein/midrib Obliquely continuous Obliquely continuous shape throughout leaflet throughout leaflet Vein/midrib 145B 144C color (RHS No.) Aroma Fuel, diesel-spice, and earth Spicy

(17) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Stem Characteristics New Variety Check Variety (BLK03) Stem shape Large, thick, and entire Hollow, ribbed, textured Stem diameter 3.5 cm 2.8 cm at base Stem color 140B N144D (RHS No.) Depth of main Shallow Absent stem ribs/grooves Internode length 10.4-17.9 cm 2.4-4.9 cm

(18) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Inflorescence (Female/Pistillate Flowers) Check Variety Characteristics New Variety (BLK03) Flowering Cymes Cymes (blooming) habit Proportion of 100% pistillate 100% pistillate female plants Inflorescence Even Even position Flower Cymose (Inflorescence Cymose (terminal bud arrangement s are very compact, and matures, while lateral therefore bracts over- lap within each cluster flowers mature of flowers. Thus, the thereafter) flowers are overlapping within each node) Number of 65-140 flowers per 80-120 flowers per flowers per cyme cyme plant Flower shape Calcarate-urceolate Calcarate-urceolate Flower 0.7 cm 0.7 cm (individual pistillate) length Flower 6.8 cm 3.8 cm (compound cyme) diameter Corolla shape No defined corolla No defined corolla Corolla size n/a n/a Corolla Color n/a n/a (RHS No.) Bract shape Urceolate-Ovate Urceolate Bract size 0.4-2.2 cm 0.2-0.8 cm Bract color 135A N134C (RHS No.) Calyx shape No defined calyx No defined calyx Calyx color n/a n/a (RHS No.) Stigma shape Globular Acute Stigma length 1.1 mm 2.2 mm Stigma color 159B 159D (RHS No.) Trichome shape Capitate-stalked glandular Capitate-stalked glandular Trichome color 157A at day 157A at day 40 (RHS No.) 50 in flowering in flowering Other types of Capitate sessile trichomes Capitate sessile trichomes trichomes are present on the leaves are present on the leaves of plants, as well as being of plants, as well as being noticed in the flowers noticed in the flowers (color: 157A at day (color: 157A at day 50 in flowering). 40 in flowering). During later flowering, i.e. During later flowering, i.e. day 60 to day 70 in day 48 to day 60 in flowering, the capitate flowering, capitate stalked stalked trichomes are trichomes are present present (color: N30B). (color: N30B). Bulbous and non-glandular trichomes are also present and most noticeable on the petioles, stems, and leaves (color: 157A). Terminal bud Oblong Oblong shape Terminal bud 131A 203C color (RHS No.) Pedicel Absent Absent Staminate shape No staminate flowers pro- No staminate flowers pro- duced naturally; however, duced naturally; however, male flower (staminate) male flower (staminate) can be induced can be induced with chemical compounds with chemical compounds (such as silver nitrate (such as silver nitrate and silver thiosulphate and silver thiosulphate anionic complex). anionic complex). Pollen Absent Absent description Seed shape Striped and ovate Smooth and globular Marbling of Weak Absent (non-existent) seed Petal Apetalous Apetalous description Max THC About 6.56-16.74% About 18.88-19.37% content Max CBD About 6.49-15.28% 0.00% content Max CBG About 0.25-1.87% About 0.84-0.91% content n/a: not available

(19) TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Other Characteristics Characteristics New Variety Check Variety (BLK03) Time period and 8-10 weeks 7-9 weeks condition of flowering/ blooming Hardiness of Hardy to 25 ambient Hardy to 25 ambient plant temperature temperature Breaking action Strong, non-flexible Strong, non-flexible Rooting rate 99%-vigorous 70%-moderate after cutting/cloning Types of Stem Stem Cutting for Cloning Shipping quality High/great Moderate if available Storage life if Long (3-8 months Medium (2-6 months available with minor changes in with minor changes in physical appearance physical appearance and/or smell/taste) and/ or smell/taste) Market use Medicinal n/a Productivity of Approximately 0.227- Approximately 0.14- flower if 0.34 kg can 0.45 kg can available be produced per plant, be produced per plant; dependent on finished plant dependent on finished size (1.0-1.9 m); size (0.6-1.2 m); Growing conditions/ Growing conditions/ environment will dictate environment will dictate final yield/output final yield/output n/a: not available

(20) In general, HOLY CRUNCH is larger in width and height than both parents, pollen acceptor (R08) and pollen donor (P08P0104). HOLY CRUNCH is more robust in terms of growing performance, time to rooted clones, and time to flower maturity. As HOLY CRUNCH has greater resistance to pests and diseases, such as resistance to Botrytis sp. (i.e. bud rot), it yields higher than both parents. Since HOLY CRUNCH has stronger/larger branches and thicker stems with greater flexibility than both parents, its main and lateral branches gives HOLY CRUNCH ability to produce higher yields under different growing conditions. The flowers of HOLY CRUNCH are not as large as the pollen donor parent (R08), which makes HOLY CRUNCH not to readily rot in humid conditions like that of the R08 parent. HOLY CRUNCH clearly demonstrates hybrid vigor, and outperforms both parents overall. Chemically, HOLY CRUNCH has a higher cannabinoid content, a higher THC:CBD ratio as well as a higher terpene content than either parent.

(21) When HOLY CRUNCH is compared to the check variety BLK03, HOLY CRUNCH is a little smaller than BLK03 in plant height and width. HOLY CRUNCH has higher plant vigor, but shows longer time to harvest than BLK03. HOLY CRUNCH has longer leafs than BLK03 in terms of whole leaf length including petiole. Also, HOLY CRUNCH has longer and wider leaflets than BLK03 when comparing the middle largest leaflet. HOLY CRUNCH has a longer petiole and stipule in average than BLK03 at maturity. Regarding the average stem diameter at base, HOLY CRUNCH is longer than BLK03. Furthermore, the internode length of HOLY CRUNCH is longer than that of BLK03. When comparing the compound cyme diameter, HOLY CRUNCH is a longer than BLK03, and individual pistillate flower of HOLY CRUNCH is similar to that of BLK03 in length. HOLY CRUNCH has a longer bract than BLK03, while having a little shorter stigma. With respect to aroma, HOLY CRUNCH have a smell of fuel, diesel-spice and earth, while BLK03 has a generally spicy smell.

(22) When HOLY CRUNCH is compared to the known cannabis plant named ECUADORIAN SATIVA (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,475), there are several distinctive characteristics. For example, overall form of HOLY CRUNCH is similar in height, but is wider across at the widest point than the ECUADORIAN SATIVA plant. HOLY CRUNCH plant has a longer middle leaflet (without petiole), petiole and whole leaf (with petiole) length at maturity than the ECUADORIAN SATIVA plant. Also, HOLY CRUNCH plant has a wider middle leaflet width than the ECUADORIAN SATIVA plant. Regarding stem diameter at base, HOLY CRUNCH is longer than ECUADORIAN SATIVA. While the aroma of ECUADORIAN SATIVA is strongly mephitic with hints of limonene, HOLY CRUNCH has a smell of fuel, diesel-spice and earth. When comparing total THC content between HOLY CRUNCH and ECUADORIAN SATIVA, the total THC content of HOLY CRUNCH is between 6.56-16.74%, while ECUADORIAN SATIVA accumulates 12.45% total THC.