Blueberry plant named 'M09768-05-002'

Abstract

The new blueberry plant variety M09768-05-002 is provided. M09768-05-002 is a commercial variety intended for the fresh fruit market. The variety is produced from a cross of Magnolia and Caroline, which can be distinguished by its outstanding features.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant named M09768-05-002, substantially as illustrated and described herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The accompanying photographic illustration shows typical specimens in full color of the foliage and fruit of the new variety M09768-05-002. The colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a photograph of the new variety M09768-05-002, demonstrating the plant's upright/whippy growth habit.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a photograph of the fruit of the new variety M09768-05-002.

[0025] 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

[0026] The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of M09768-05-002. 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 Pantone Color Bridge plus. [0027] Classification: [0028] a. Family.Ericaceae. [0029] b. Genus.Vaccinium. [0030] c. Species.Hybrid. [0031] d. Common name.Blueberry. [0032] Parentage: Female Parent Magnolia (not patented). Male Parent Caroline (not patented). [0033] Market class: A fruiting plant intended for the fresh fruit market. [0034] Plant: [0035] General.a. Parentage Magnolia x Caroline. b. Plant height 0.8-1 m. c. Plant width 0.5-0.6 m. d. Growth habit Upright/whippy. e. Growth Strong-very strong. f. Productivity Medium to high (6.6 kg/plant). g. Cold hardiness Not tested. h. Cold tolerance Not tested. i. Chilling requirement Moderate-high. j. Tolerance to disease Not tested. k. Leafing Strong to very strong. l. Twigginess Moderate. [0036] Stem: [0037] General.a. Suckering tendency 4-5/plant. b. Mature cane color 199B/165BC. c. Mature cane length 0.7-0.75 m. d. Mature cane width 1 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 18 mm. i. Fruiting wood Up to 18 cm in length. [0038] Foliage: [0039] General.a. Time of beginning of leaf bud burst Mid-late September. b. Leaf color (Top side) 148A/147A. c. Leaf color (Under side) 145B. 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 58-64 mm. l. Leaf Width 26-28 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. [0040] Petioles.a. Length 5 mm. b. Width 1.5-2 mm. c. Color Yellow-Green 144D. [0041] Flowers: [0042] General.a. Time of beginning of flowering 25.sup.th September. b. Time of 50% anthesis 8.sup.th October. c. Flower shape Urceolate. d. Flower bud density Moderate to high (8 buds/lateral). e. Flower fragrance Weak. [0043] Corolla.a. Color N/A. b. Length 9 mm. c. Width 7-8 mm. d. Aperture width 4 mm. e. Anthocyanin coloration of corolla Absent. f. Corolla ridges Present. g. Protrusion of stigma Absent. [0044] Inflorescence.a. Length 25-30 mm. b. Diameter 28-32 mm. c. Length of peduncle 4-5 mm. d. Surface texture of peduncle Smooth. e. Color of peduncle 145B/144C/D. f. Length of pedicel 8-10 mm. g. Surface texture of pedicel Smooth. h. Color of pedicel 140B/144C/D. i. Number of flowers per cluster 6-7. j. Flower cluster density Moderate. [0045] Calyx (with sepals).a. Diameter 7-8 mm. b. Color (sepals) 145B/144A. [0046] Stamen.a. Length 6-7 mm. b. Number per flower 10-12. c. Filament color 142C/145C. d. Style: Length mm. e. Color . [0047] Style.a. Length 8-9 mm. b. Color 145B/140B. [0048] Pistil.a. Length 10-12 mm. b. Ovary color (exterior) 149C/144A. [0049] Anther.a. Length 3-4 mm. b. Number 10-12. c. Color 167A/164C. [0050] Pollen.a. Abundance N/A. b. Color N/A. c. Self-compatibility Good (80%). [0051] Fruit: [0052] General.a. Time of fruit ripening Mid. b. Time of 50% maturity Early to mid-January. c. Fruit development period Approximately 80-90 days. d. Cluster density 23 berries per cluster. e. Unripe fruit color 142C. f. Ripe Berry color 203C/103A. g. Berry surface wax abundance Moderate-strong. h. Berry flesh color 149C/D. i. Berry weight 2.84 g. j. Berry height from calyx to scar 12-13 mm. k. Berry diameter 20-23 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 Very good. r. Suitability for mechanical harvesting N/A. s. Self-fruitfulness Yes. t. Uses Fresh fruit. [0053] Seed: [0054] General.a. Seed abundance in fruit Moderate. b. Seed color N/A. c. Seed dry weight N/A. d. Seed length 1-2 mm.

COMPARISON BETWEEN COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS

[0055]

TABLE-US-00001 Brigitta (not Legacy (not Organ Context MG09768-05-02 patented) patented) Plant Vigor Strong Medium Medium to strong Plant Growth habit Upright to semi- Upright Upright to semi- upright upright One-year-old Color Greenish red Green Reddish yellow shoot One-year-old Length of internode Medium Medium Short to medium shoot Leaf Length Medium Long Medium Leaf Width Medium Broad Medium Leaf Shape Elliptic Elliptic Elliptic Leaf Color of upper side Green Green Green Leaf Intensity of green color on Light to medium Medium Medium to dark upper side (varieties with green leaf color only) Leaf Margin Entire Serrate Entire Flower bud Anthocyanin coloration Weak to medium Medium-strong Weak Flower Shape of corolla Urceolate Urceolate Urceolate Flower Size of corolla tube Medium Medium Medium Flower Anthocyanin coloration of Absent or very weak Absent or very weak Absent or very weak corolla tube Flower Ridges on corolla tube Present Present Present Fruit cluster Density Sparse Medium-dense Medium Unripe fruit Intensity of green color Light Light Light Fruit Size Large Medium Medium Fruit Shape in longitudinal Oblate Oblate Oblate section Fruit Attitude of sepals Erect Erect Erect to semi-erect Fruit Diameter of calyx basin Small to medium Small-medium Small Fruit Depth of calyx basin Shallow to medium Deep Medium to deep Fruit Intensity of bloom Medium to strong Medium Medium Fruit Color of skin Dark blue Dark blue Dark blue Fruit Firmness Soft to medium Medium Medium Fruit Sweetness Medium to high Low-medium Medium Fruit Acidity Medium to high Low-medium Medium Time of Vegetative bud burst Early to medium Medium Early to medium Time of Beginning of flowering Medium Medium Early to medium Time of Beginning of fruit Medium Medium Medium ripening