BLUEBERRY PLANT NAMED 'MG11654-24-001'

Abstract

The new blueberry plant variety MG11654-24-001 is provided. MG11654-24-001 is a commercial variety intended for the fresh fruit market. The variety is produced from a cross of Duke (seed parent, not patented) and Ridley 1403 (pollen parent, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,432), which can be distinguished by its outstanding features.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant named MG11654-24-001% substantially as illustrated and described herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The accompanying photographic illustration shows typical specimens in full color of the foliage and fruit of the new variety MG11654-24-001 The colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a photograph of the fruit of the new variety MG11654-24-001.

[0025] FIG. 2 is are photographs of the new variety MG11654-24-001, demonstrating the plant's fruit.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a photograph of the new variety MG11654-24-001, demonstrating the plant's flowers.

[0027] The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with the photographic and printing technology utilized. The color values cited in the detailed botanical description accurately describe the colors of the new blueberry.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of MG11654-24-001. The data which defines these characteristics was collected from asexual reproductions of the original selection. Dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are approximations and averages set forth as accurately as possible. The plant history was taken on plants approximately 3 years of age, and the descriptions relate to plants grown in the field in Moondarra, Victoria, Australia. Descriptions of fruit characteristics were made on fruit grown in Moondarra, Victoria, Australia. Color designations are from The Royal Horticultural Society colour chart (sixth edition). [0029] Classification: [0030] a. Family.Ericaceae. [0031] b. Genus.Vaccinium. [0032] c. Species.hybrid. [0033] d. Common name.Blueberry. [0034] Parentage: Female Parent Duke. (not patented). Male Parent Ridley 1403. (U.S. Pat. No. 25,432). [0035] Market class: A fruiting plant intended for the fresh fruit market. [0036] Plant: [0037] General.a. Parentage Duke x Ridley1403. b. Plant height 1-1.2 m. c. Plant width 0.9-1.1 m. d. Growth habit Upright/whippy. e. Growth Moderate to strong. f. Productivity Medium to high (7.1kg/bush). g. Cold hardiness Not tested. h. Cold tolerance Not tested. i. Chilling requirement Expected to be medium to high. j. Tolerance to disease Not tested. k. Leafing Moderate to strong. l. Twigginess Low to moderate. [0038] Stem: [0039] General.a. Suckering tendency 3-4/plant. b. Mature cane color 159CD/197A. c. Mature cane length 0.7-0.9 m. d. Mature cane width 1-1.3 cm. e. Bark texture Medium roughness. f. Fall color on new shoots N/A. g. Surface texture of new wood Smooth. h. Internode length on strong, new shoots 27-31 mm. i. Fruiting wood To 16 cm in length. [0040] Foliage: [0041] General.a. Time of beginning of leaf bud burst Mid-late September. b. Leaf color (Top side) 133A/135A. c. Leaf color (Under side) 146C. d. Leaf arrangement Alternate. e. Leaf shape Elliptic. f. Leaf margins Entire. g. Undulation of margin Weak. h. Leaf venation Reticulate. i. Leaf apices Acute. j. Leaf bases Obtuse. k. Leaf length 55-58 mm. l. Leaf width 26-33 mm. m. Leaf length/width ratio Medium. n. Leaf nectarines Absent. o. Pubescence of upper side Absent. p. Pubescence of lower side Absent. q. Cross sectional profile Flat. r. Longitudinal profile Straight. s. Attitude Semi-upright. [0042] Petioles.a. Length 5 mm. b. Width 1-2 mm. c. Color Yellow-Green N144D/145A. [0043] Flowers: [0044] General.a. Time of beginning of flowering Early. b. Time of 50% anthesis 20-28.sup.th September. c. Flower shape Urceolate. d. Flower bud density moderate. e. Flower fragrance Weak. [0045] Corolla.a. Color N/A. b. Length 11-12 mm. c. Width 10-12 mm. d. Aperture width 5-6 mm. e. Anthocyanin coloration of corolla Absent. f. Corolla ridges Present. g. Protrusion of stigma 0-1 mm. [0046] Inflorescence.a. Length 55-57 mm. b. Diameter 40-43 mm. c. Length of peduncle 14-15 mm. d. Surface texture of peduncle Smooth. e. Color of peduncle Mix N144A/144A. f. Length of pedicel 5-7 mm. g. Surface texture of pedicel Smooth. h. Color of pedicel 143C/145B. i. Number of flowers per cluster 6. j. Flower cluster density Light to moderate. [0047] Calyx (with sepals).a. Diameter 7-9 mm. b. Color (sepals) 145B. [0048] Stamen.a. Length 7-8 mm. b. Number per flower 9-10. c. Filament color 149C. [0049] Style.a. Length 9 mm. b. Color 145B. [0050] Pistil.a. Length 11-12 mm. b. Ovary color (exterior) 144A/137C. [0051] Anther.a. Length 4 mm. b. Number 9-10. c. Color 167A/165B. [0052] Pollen.a. Abundance Medium. b. Color N/A. c. Self-compatibility good (75%). [0053] Fruit: [0054] General.a. Time of fruit ripening Very early. b. Time of 50% maturity November/December. c. Fruit development period Approximately 70 days. d. Cluster density Approximately 22 berries per cluster. e. Unripe fruit color 138D. f. Ripe berry color 203C/103A. g. Berry surface wax abundance Moderate to strong. h. Berry flesh color 157A/195D. i. Berry weight 3.3 g. j. Berry height from calyx to scar 10-11 mm. k. Berry diameter 19-21 mm. l. Berry shape Oblate. m. Fruit stem scar Small/dry. n. Sweetness when ripe Medium to high. o. Firmness when ripe Firm. p. Acidity when ripe Medium to high. q. Storage quality Good. r. Suitability for mechanical harvesting Not suitable. s. Self-fruitfulness Yes. t. Uses Fresh fruit. [0055] Seed: [0056] General.a. Seed abundance in fruit High. b. Seed color N/A. c. Seed dry weight N/A. d. Seed length 1-2 mm.

COMPARISON BETWEEN PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS

[0057]

TABLE-US-00001 Ridley 1403 (U.S. Brigitta (not Organ Context MG11654-24-001 Patent No. 25,432) patented) Plant Vigour Strong Strong Medium Plant Growth habit Upright to semi- Upright to semi- Upright upright upright One-year-old shoot Colour Green Green Green One-year-old shoot Length of internode Medium Medium Medium Leaf Length Long Long to very long Long Leaf Width Broad Broad Broad Leaf Shape Elliptic Elliptic Elliptic Leaf Colour of upper side Green Green Green Leaf Intensity of green colour on Medium Medium Medium upper side (varieties with green leaf colour only) Leaf Margin Entire Entire Serrate Flower bud Anthocyanin coloration Weak Weak Medium-strong Flower Shape of corolla Urceolate Urceolate Urceolate Flower Size of corolla tube Medium Medium to large Medium Flower Anthocyanin colouration Absent or very Absent or very Absent or very of corolla tube weak weak weak Flower Ridges on corolla tube Present Present Present Fruit cluster Density Medium to dense Medium to dense Medium-dense Unripe fruit Intensity of green colour Light to medium Light Light Fruit Size Large to very large Very large Medium Fruit Shape in longitudinal section Oblate Round Oblate Fruit Attitude of sepals Erect Erect Erect Fruit Diameter of calyx basin Large Large Small-medium Fruit Depth of calyx basin Shallow to medium Deep Deep Fruit Intensity of bloom Strong Medium Medium Fruit Colour of skin Dark blue Dark blue Dark blue Fruit Firmness Firm Very firm Medium Fruit Sweetness High High Low-medium Fruit Acidity Medium to high Low Low-medium Time of Vegetative bud burst Early Early Medium Time of Beginning of flowering Very early Early Medium Time of Beginning of fruit ripening Very early Early Medium