Blackberry plant named ‘DrisBlackSeventeen’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of blackberry plant named DrisBlackSeventeen, particularly characterized by its high yield potential and high vigor, is disclosed.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of blackberry plant designated DrisBlackSeventeen as shown and described herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) This new blackberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs, which show a cane, a leaf, flowers, and fruit of the plant. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of plants that are three years old.

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a section of a cane of variety DrisBlackSeventeen.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a typical leaf of variety DrisBlackSeventeen.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates typical flowers of variety DrisBlackSeventeen at various stages of development.

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates typical fruit of variety DrisBlackSeventeen at various stages of development.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(6) The following descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of DrisBlackSeventeen. The data that define these characteristics are based on observations taken in Michoacn, Mexico from 2012 to 2016. 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. DrisBlackSeventeen has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of DrisBlackSeventeen was taken from three-year-old plants. 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.Rosaceae. Botanical.Rubus L. subgenus Rubus. Common name.Blackberry. Variety name.DrisBlackSeventeen. Parentage: Female parent.BJ106.3 (unpatented). Male parent.Bulk A (unpatented). Plant: Propagation.Root cuttings. Growth habit.Semi-upright. Number of new canes that develop each season.10-12. Canes: Fruiting lateral length (4.sup.th lateral from tip).48.0 cm. Number of fruits per fruiting lateral.20. Internodal distance.5.2 cm. Dormant cane.Anthocyanin coloration: RHS 171B (Brownish orange). Predominant distribution of branches: Only on upper half. Cross-section: Rounded to angular. Spines: Presence on dormant canes.Present. Attitude of apex in relation to cane.Upwards. Number of spines per particular area.6 per cm.sup.2. Spine length.6.12 mm. Spine width at base.1.26 mm. Spine color.RHS 144A (Strong yellow-green). Young shoots: Anthocyanin coloration (during rapid growth).RHS 173B (Moderate reddish orange). Intensity of green color.RHS 144A (Strong yellow-green). Density of glandular hairs per young shoot.Many. Leaves: Terminal leaflet.Length: 75.45 mm. Width: 64.65 mm. Length/width ratio: 1.16. Lobing: Absent. Shape in cross-section: V-shaped. Undulation of margin: Weak. Presence of terminal leaflet blistering between veins: Present. Lateral leaflets (basal pair).Length: 56.20 mm. Width: 42.44 mm. Length/width ratio: 1.32. Rachis length between terminal leaflet and adjacent lateral leaflets.27.60 mm. Petiole.Length: 12.42 mm. Diameter: 0.52 mm. Leaflet.Type of incision of margin: Bi-serrate. Depth of leaflet incisions: 4.92 mm. Leaf.Predominant number of leaflets: 5. Type: Palmate. Intensity of green color of upper side: RHS 137A (Moderate olive green). Stipule.Stipule length: 11.24 mm. Stipule width: 1.45 mm. Time of leaf bud burst.September to October. Flowers: Diameter.42.224 mm. Petal.Length: 21.16 mm. Width: 14.86 mm. Length/width ratio: 1.42. Color: RHS 155B (Yellowish white). Number of flowers observed at 3.sup.rd node from tip of lateral.5. Pedicel.Length: 36.29 mm. Diameter: 0.265 mm. Time of flowering.October to November. Fruit: Length of mature fruit.30.94 mm. Diameter of mature fruit.27.68 mm. Ratio of length to width.1.1. Drupelet.Drupelet diameter: 5.1 mm. Number of drupelets per fruit: 90. Shape in longitudinal section.Medium ovate. Color.RHS 202A (Dark greyish purple). Soluble solids (as degrees Brix).11.7 Bx. Acidity (as % citric acid).1.37%. Fruiting on current year's cane.Absent. Time of fruit ripening.December to January. Yield.12,600 kg/acre to 15,153 kg/acre of fruit per season from 48-month-old plants when grown in Santa Cruz County, Calif. Resistance to diseases, pests, and abiotic stress: Fusarium wilt (Fusariun oxysporum).Moderately susceptible. Redberry mite (Acalitus essigi).Moderately susceptible. Drought.Moderately resistant. High temperatures.Resistant. Waterlogging.Resistant.

COMPARISONS TO PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL BLACKBERRY VARIETIES

(7) DrisBlackSeventeen differs from the proprietary female parent BJ106.3 (unpatented) in that DrisBlackSeventeen has a higher yield potential compared to BJ106.3.

(8) DrisBlackSeventeen differs from the proprietary male parent Bulk A (unpatented) in that DrisBlackSeventeen plants are spiny whereas Bulk A plants are spineless. Additionally, DrisBlackSeventeen plants have higher vigor compared to Bulk A plants.

(9) DrisBlackSeventeen differs from Driscoll's commercial variety Sleeping Beauty (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,758) in that DrisBlackSeventeen has a semi-upright growth habit, a rounded to angular cross section of dormant cane, an upwards attitude of spine apex in relation to cane, and a medium ovate fruit shape in longitudinal section. In contrast, Sleeping Beauty has an upright growth habit, an angular to grooved cross section of dormant cane, an outwards to downwards attitude of spine apex in relation to cane, and an elliptic fruit shape in longitudinal section.

(10) DrisBlackSeventeen differs from the commercial variety Tupy (unpatented) in that Tupy has an earlier production curve as compared to that of DrisBlackSeventeen.