Blackberry plant named ‘MM01’

Abstract

The invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of lightly thorned blackberry plant named MM01 having a strong plant vigor and moderate post-harvest reddening. The new variety MM01 produces a heavy primocane fruit crop and an economically viable floricane fruit crop.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of blackberry plant, substantially as described and illustrated herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIONS

(1) Typical specimens of the plant, flowers, and fruit of the new blackberry variety MM01 are shown in the accompanying photographs. The colors shown are as true as possible within the usual limits of this kind of illustration.

(2) FIG. 1 is a photograph showing fruit of the new blackberry cultivar MM01 at the ripening stage, along with crop load on one-year old canes. The photo was taken of plants having a crown aged of 6 years and cane age of 7 months.

(3) FIG. 2 is a photograph showing the full plant of the new blackberry cultivar MM01 at the green fruit stage. The photo was taken of plants having a crown aged of 6 years and cane age of 8 months.

(4) FIG. 3 is a photograph showing an exemplary branch of the new blackberry cultivar MM01.

(5) FIG. 4 is a photograph showing exemplary primocane leaves of the new blackberry cultivar MM01.

(6) FIG. 5 is a photograph showing an exemplary flower cluster of the new blackberry cultivar MM01.

(7) FIG. 6 is a photograph of an exemplary branch with green fruit showing the productivity of the new blackberry cultivar MM01.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

(8) The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of MM01. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Freedom, Calif. Plants used for botanical data were six-year-old plants in June 2017 grown in sandy loam soil with trickle irrigation. The plants were fertilized near bud break with complete or nitrogen fertilizer, and had an additional nitrogen fertilizer application. Weeds were controlled with pre- and post-emergence herbicides supplemented with mechanical weed control activities. A single application of liquid lime sulfur was applied to the plants at bud break, but no other fungicides were used.

(9) 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. MM01 has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Color references are to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, London (R.H.S.) (2007 edition). The sizes, dimensions, colors, and other characteristics are approximations and averages.

(10) Plant:

(11) General description: Plants of the new cultivar MM01 are vigorous and prolific and row establishment following planting is rapid. Both primocanes and floricanes are erect in growth habit. The canes can be trained to a self-supporting hedgerow although it is beneficial to use a trellis with supporting wires to prevent canes from falling over due to wind or heavy fruit loads. The plants are lightly thorned in primocanes and floricanes. When propagated from roots, the new shoots are thornier than the basal shoots.

(12) Actively growing canes tend to shift from vegetative to reproductive state at approximately 1 m in height and require pinching. Canes have an erect growth habit, even in Year 1, and are of medium to large stature. The height averages 1.5 m as measured from cane base to cane apex. Root growth in spring and summer is fibrous and spreading to the width of the aerial canopy, generally with a 75:25 ratio of brown lignified coarse roots and off-white fine (feeder) roots, respectively.

(13) Primocane berries of MM01 are medium-large and round in shape, but sometimes develop a slightly elongated shape. Primocane fruit is generally bright glossy black in color, and very attractive. Primocane fruit averaged 8.2 g/berry. The fresh fruit rates very good in flavor, sweet and mildly acidic, with a distinct blackberry aroma.

(14) Primocane fruit and flowers are borne on the cane terminus or on lateral branches if primocanes are tipped, and fruiting continues down the primocane during the season. The number of nodes down the cane that develop flowers is largely dependent on the length and conditions of the late summer to fall growing period. The fruit is good for fresh market use with keeping quality and shipping quality that appear excellent.

(15) Floricane fruit is similar in shape and color to the primocane crop and is sufficiently heavy to be an economically viable floricane crop.

(16) MM01 plants have strong vegetative vigor and an erect growth habit. Primocanes emerge both from the crown of the plant as well as from the roots (as suckers). Productivity is high. MM01 is considered economically viable under commercial production systems in California. Natural branching occurs but is variable. Canes are lightly thorny and erect.

(17) Cold hardiness: Unknown. Plant: Size.Plants are grown in hedgerows and primocanes are tipped at 45 to 55 inches approx. Plant range size from 1.20 to 2.5 meters high and 40 to 60 cm wide. Growth habitat.Canes erect; moderated vigor; suckers from crown and roots. Growth rate.Primocanes reach tipping in early April depending on pruning date. Productivity.Floricane. 1.5 to 2.5 kg per plant, which is higher than known varieties APF45 and APF122. Primocane. 3 to 4 kg per plant, which is higher than known variety APF122 and similar to known variety APF45. Canes.Lightly Thorny, Erect. Floricane. Cane diameter: base 2.10 cm; mid-point 1.20 cm; terminal 0.95 cm. Internode length: base 6.5 cm; midpoint 5.2 cm; terminal; 3.74. Floricane color: base: Yellow Green Group (148A); midpoint: Yellow Green Group (148B); terminus: Yellow Green Group (148B). Canes are rounded to angular in cross-section with branches distributed only on upper third. Thorn density (per 30 cm): base 4; midpoint 2; terminus 1 and in most occasions terminus is completely thorn-less. Cane thorn length: 3.5 mm; non-curved. Primocanes (current season cane). Cane diameter: base 1.75 cm; midpoint 1.4 cm; terminal 0.91 cm. Internode length: base 13.0 cm; midpoint 8.2 cm; terminal 2.5 cm. Primocane color: base: Green Group (147A); midpoint Green Group (147B); terminus Green Group (148A). Three new canes in most plants but up to five in some occasions. Primocanes have an angular cross-section with branches from the bottom and up to mid-section in most cases if left un-tipped. If tipped, canes branch immediately from upper third of plant. Thorn density (per 30 cm): base 4; midpoint 2; terminus 1 and in most occasions terminus is completely thorn-less. Thorn length: 3.5 mm; non-curved. Young shoots show a medium number of hairs. Foliage: Primocane.Leaves Large mature compound leaf Width 24.15 cm; Length 17.50 cm. Leaflet Width: 15.55 cm; Length: 16.25 cm; shape ovate, acuminate apex and rounded base; margin serrated; margin: 0.40 cm and 0.30 cm wide; pubescence very light on both abaxial and adaxial surfaces; number of leaflets per compound leaf 5 and occasionally up to 7. Terminal leaflet is v-shaped in cross-section with a medium degree of blistering between the veins. Color Base axial: Yellow Green Group (139A); abaxial Green Group (138A) Petioles Length: 90 cm; color: Yellow Green Group (139C); Texture smooth. Petiolules Length 50 cm; color: Yellow Green Group (139C); texture smooth. Stipules Length 1.14 cm; Width 0.15 cm; Texture smooth. Floricane.Leaves Medium mature compound leaf Width 14.5; Length: 17.0 cm. Leaflet Width: 6.40 cm; Length: 8.90 cm; shape ovate with acuminate apex and rounded base; margin serrated; serrated teeth length: 0.30 cm; width at base: 0.40 cm; pubescence on both axial and abaxial; number of leaflet per compound leaf is 3 and in some occasions up to 5. Terminal leaflet is v-shaped in cross-section with a medium degree of blistering between veins. Color Base abaxial: Yellow Green Group (139A); midpoint abaxial: Yellow Green Group (139B); adaxial: Green Group (138A). Petioles Length: 3.70 cm; color: Yellow Green Group (139C); texture smooth. Petiolules Length: 0.50 cm; color: Yellow Green Group (139C); texture smooth. Stipules Length: 0.70 cm; Width: 0.15 cm; texture smooth. Flowers: Floricane.Date of bloom 10% bloom April 25; 50% bloom May 5; last bloom June 5. Petal color White Group (NN155). Reproductive Organs Stamens erect, numerous. Pistils numerous. Pollen normal and abundant. Flower diameter 3.65 cm. Petal Size Length: 1.97 cm; Width: 1.30 cm. Average flowers per cluster 9.5. Average petals per flower 5 to 6. Number of sepals per flower 5 to 6. Peduncle color Yellow Green Group (144A). Cyme Type elongate simple. Cyme Length average: 105 cm and up to 130 cm. Primocanes.First bloom May 15 and depending on planting or pruning date. Petal color White Group (NN155). Reproductive organs Stamens; numerous. Pistils; numerous. Pollen: abundant and fertile during normal conditions. Flower diameter 3.70 cm. Petal Size Length: 2.10 cm; Width: 1.4 cm. Average flowers per cluster 19 under tunnel culture. Average petals per flower 5. Number of sepals per flower 5 to 6. Peduncle Length 2.7 cm. Peduncle color Yellow Green Group (144B). Cyme Type Simple elongated. Cyme Length 120 cm and up to 160 cm. Fruit: Floricane.Maturity First: June 6 under normal conditions; fruiting period up to 60 days. Size Medium-large, average: 7 to 8 g. Diameter of primary fruit Equator: 2.43 cm; base pole: 1.90 cm; terminal pole: 1.68 cm. Diameter of secondary fruit Equator: 1.99 cm; base pole: 1.13 cm. Shape Elongated to blocky. Color Black Group (203B) Drupelet size 0.46 cm; number per fruit 75-85. Solubles solids 9.9%. Fruit uses Fresh market. Primocane.Maturity July 30 on mature plants. Size Large; above 8 g in Freedom, Calif. Diameter of primary fruit Equator: 2.15 cm; base pole: 2.20 cm; terminal pole 1.71 cm. Diameter of secondary fruit Equator: 1.95 cm; base pole: 1.93 cm; terminal pole: 1.63 cm. Length Primary fruit: 2.85 cm. Shape Elongated to blocky. Color Black Group (203B). Drupelet Size 0.6 cm; number of drupelets per fruit 95-105. Soluble Solids 10%. Fruit Use Fresh Market.