BLUEBERRY PLANT VARIETY NAMED 'DRISBLUEEIGHTEEN'

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant named DrisBlueEighteen, particularly selected for its mid-range chill requirement suitable for production in latitudes ranging from 30 to 40 degrees, its productiveness, as well as its large, firm, sweet-flavored fruit with an attractive appearance, is disclosed.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant designated DrisBlueEighteen as shown and described herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] 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.

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a section of a cane of variety DrisBlueEighteen.

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates leaves of variety DrisBlueEighteen.

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates whole fruit and cross-sections of the fruit of variety DrisBlueEighteen.

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates plants of variety DrisBlueEighteen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0020] The following description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of DrisBlueEighteen. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Santa Cruz County, Calif. from 2008 to 2017. 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. DrisBlueEighteen has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of DrisBlueEighteen was taken from 7-year-old plants, unless indicated otherwise. 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.) (2007 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. [0021] Classification: [0022] Family.Ericaceae. [0023] Botanical.Vaccinium corymbosum L. [0024] Common name.Blueberry. [0025] Variety name.DrisBlueEighteen. [0026] Parentage: [0027] Female parent.The proprietary blueberry plant 136D 2. [0028] Male parent.The proprietary blueberry plant 181C 1. [0029] Plant: [0030] Height.187.0 cm. [0031] Width.212.0 cm. [0032] Length/width ratio.0.9. [0033] Growth habit.Semi-upright. [0034] One-year-old canes (young canes).Length: 71 cm. Diameter at the base: 6 mm. Diameter at the tip: 1 mm. Internode length on the upper half: 15.5 mm. Color: RHS 145A (Yellow-green). One-year-old cane texture: Smooth. [0035] Five-year-old canes (mature canes).Length: 68 cm. Diameter at the base: 26 mm. Diameter at the tip: 6 mm. Five-year-old cane texture: Rough. Five-year-old cane color: RHS 199C (Greyed brown). [0036] Flower bud anthocyanin color.RHS 60C (Strong purplish red). [0037] Leaves: [0038] Length.59.8 mm. [0039] Width.29.3 mm. [0040] Length/width ratio.2.0. [0041] Internode length.15.47 mm. [0042] Shape.Lanceolate. [0043] Margin.Entire. [0044] Color on upper side.RHS 139A (Green). [0045] Leaf arrangement.Alternate. [0046] Leaf venation pattern.Reticulate. [0047] Leaf vein color.RHS 152D (Dark greenish yellow). [0048] Shape of the leaf apex.Cuspidate. [0049] Shape of the leaf base.Cuneate. [0050] Leaflet texture of upper side.Smooth. [0051] Leaflet texture of lower side.Smooth. [0052] Leaflet color of lower side.RHS 191A (Greyed-green). [0053] Petiole.Length: 2.9 mm. Diameter: 2.10 mm. Petiole texture: Slightly pubescent. Petiole color: RHS 144B (Yellow-green). [0054] Flowers: [0055] Length (excluding peduncle).11.14 mm. [0056] Diameter.7.01 mm. [0057] Length/width ratio.1.6. [0058] Presence of flower fragrance.Absent. [0059] Flower bud.Length: 7 mm. Width: 3 mm. Number of flowers per bud: 5. [0060] Pedicel.Length: 3.24 mm. Diameter: 0.99 mm. Pedicel color: RHS 145A (Strong yellow-green). [0061] Corolla.Shape: Urceolate. Anthocyanin color of corolla tube: RHS N57C (Deep purplish pink). Ridges on tube: Present. Petal width (ridge to ridge): 3.53 mm. Petal color: RHS 157B (Pale yellow-green). Diameter of corolla aperture: 3.36 mm. [0062] Reproductive organs.Style length (including stigma): 8.06 mm. Ovary color: RHS 191B (Greyish yellow-green). Anther color: RHS N172D (Moderate orange). Pollen color: RHS 4D (Pale yellow-green). [0063] Flowering interval on one-year shoot.March to April. [0064] Pollinator requirement.Insect pollinators such as honeybees or bumblebees are recommended. [0065] Fruit: [0066] Length.13.13 mm. [0067] Diameter.17.63 mm. [0068] Length/width ratio.0.7. [0069] Shape in longitudinal sections.Round. [0070] Attitude of sepals.Erect to semi-erect. [0071] Type of sepals.Straight. [0072] Calyx basin.Diameter: 6.69 mm. Depth: 2.45 mm. Diameter/depth ratio: 2.7. [0073] Weight.3.0 g. [0074] Number of berries per cluster.3.70. [0075] Peduncle length.17.70 mm. [0076] Diameter of pedicel.0.88 mm. [0077] Seed.Length: 1.73 mm. Width: 0.87 mm. Length/width ratio: 2.0. Seed color: RHS N167A (Brownish orange). [0078] Color of unripe fruit.RHS 144B (Strong yellow-green). [0079] Color of skin (after removal of bloom).RHS 103A (Greyish purplish blue). [0080] Color of flesh.RHS 145C (Light yellow-green). [0081] Fruit firmness.Firm. [0082] Fruiting type.On tine-year-old shoots. [0083] Ripening interval on one-year-old shoot.June to July. [0084] Approximate date of first fruit pick.June 1. [0085] Approximate date of last fruit pick.August 15. [0086] Market use of fruit.Fresh market. [0087] Shipping and storage characteristics.Following harvest, fruit have been stored for 21 days when maintained under cooled temperatures that are standard for blueberry storage. [0088] Yield.8000 kg/hectare to 12,000 kg/hectare of fruit per season from 60-month-old plants when grown in Santa Cruz County, Calif. [0089] Resistance to abiotic stress, pests, and diseases: [0090] Heat.Moderately susceptible. [0091] Spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii).Moderately susceptible. [0092] Botrytis fruit rot (Botrytis cinerea).Moderately resistant. [0093] Botryosphaeria stem blight.Moderately susceptible. [0094] Phomopsis stem blight.Moderately susceptible.

COMPARISONS TO PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL BLUEBERRY VARIETIES

[0095] DrisBlueEighteen differs from the proprietary female parent 136D 2 (unpatented) in that DrisBlueEighteen has higher yield in a concentrated ripening period when compared to 136D 2.

[0096] DrisBlueEighteen differs from the proprietary male parent 181C 1 (unpatented) in that fruit of DrisBlueEighteen are larger in size than fruit of 181C 1.

[0097] DrisBlueEighteen differs from commercial blueberry plant variety DrisBlueOne (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,449) in that fruit of DrisBlueEighteen are larger in size than fruit of DrisBlueOne. Additionally, plants of DrisBlueEighteen have a more upright plant architecture than plants of DrisBlueOne.

[0098] DrisBlueEighteen differs from commercial blueberry plant variety Legacy (unpatented) in that DrisBlueEighteen yields earlier than Legacy. Additionally, fruit of DrisBlueEighteen are larger in size than fruit of Legacy.