Citrus sinensis plant named 'ROSALINA'

Abstract

A new and distinct navel orange distinguished by production of fruit that combines early season maturity and a dark orange to red pigmented rind, (UPOV Group 20), with a pink albedo. It further distinguishes itself with a deep orange red flesh, that matures 3-4 weeks before Cara-Cara navel, the current bench-mark red navel. Both flesh and juice are consistently darker than that of Cara-Cara. The new cultivar is a Citrus sinensis, useful for commercial fruit production.

Claims

1. A new and distinct Orange tree named Rosalina as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

[0024] The accompanying photographs illustrates in full color examples of typical fruit harvested from Rosalina and comparators.

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a comparison of the calyices Rosalina and Cara Cara on slightly immature fruit.

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a comparison of the calyices Rosalina and Lina on slightly immature fruit.

[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a lengthwise comparison of Cara Cara, Lina and Rosalina.

[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates albedo of Cara Cara, Lina and Rosalina.

[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates a hemispherical cross -section of Cara Cara, Lina and Rosalina.

[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates a seven-year-old top grafted tree of Rosalina on navel interstock onto Swingle rootstock.

[0031] FIG. 7 illustrates Rosalina albedo and flesh color in comparison with the comparator variety Cara-Cara Navel.

[0032] FIG. 8 illustrates Rosalina rind color in comparison with comparator variety Cara-Cara.

[0033] FIG. 9 illustrates flowers and foliage of Rosalina.

[0034] FIG. 10 illustrates a fruiting tree of Rosalina at approximately 7 years.

[0035] The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0036] In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe Rosalina plants grown outdoors under commercial trial conditions in the Cape of South Africa. Measurements and numerical values represent an average from the most typical specimens. [0037] Botanical classification: Citrus sinensis Roslina.

PROPAGATION Rosalina is typically grafted onto Swingle rootstock.

PLANT

[0038] Age of the plant described: Approximately 7 years. [0039] Plant habit: Upright. [0040] Height: Approximately 2.5 m. [0041] Growth rate: Approximately 3 years to reach 185 cm. [0042] Plant spread: Approximately 2 m. [0043] Length of primary lateral branches: Approximately 52-72 cm. [0044] Quantity of lateral branches: 2-4. [0045] Angle of lateral branches from main trunk: 150-170 degrees. [0046] Branching arrangement: Typically 2-3 more vertical main limbs with 1-2 smaller and more horizontal shoots. The vertical shoots rebranch after 52-72 cm. [0047] Branch diameter: Average 3.8-5.0 cm. [0048] Trunk texture: Minimally rough, slightly striated. [0049] Trunk color: Near RHS Grey-Brown N199A. [0050] Trunk diameter: Average 8.0 cm on a 3 year old plant. [0051] Spines: [0052] Density.Absent or sparse.

FOLIAGE

[0053] Leaf: [0054] Average length.Range: 6.5-8.25 cm. Average of 7.6 cm. [0055] Average width.Range: 2.8-3.9 cm. Average of 3.2 cm. [0056] Shape of blade.Elliptic. [0057] Apex.Acute. [0058] Base.Broad attenuate. [0059] Attachment.Petiolate. [0060] Margin.Entire to crenate. Absent or week undulation. [0061] Texture of top surface.Smooth. [0062] Texture of under side.Smooth with raised center rib. [0063] Aspect.Foliage typically upwardly folded. No twisting or blistering with normal cultural conditions. [0064] Color.Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS Green 138A. [0065] Petiole.Length: Average length 0.75-1.6 cm. Width: Average 0.3 cm. Pubescence: None. Color: Upper and lower surfaces near Green 143B. Petiole Wing: Approximately 7 mm length. Approximately 2 to 3 mm wide. Color and texture identical to leaf.

FLOWER

[0066] Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Single rotate flowers emerging from leaf axils. [0067] Flowering period: Buds form in the Eastern Cape of South Africa in Mid to Late October. [0068] Flower longevity on plant: Approximately 2 weeks. [0069] Persistent or self-cleaning: Self-cleaning. [0070] Bud: [0071] Shape.Ovate. [0072] Length.Average cm. [0073] Diameter.Average 5 mm. [0074] Color.Near RHS White 155A. [0075] Flower size: [0076] Diameter.Average 2.5 cm. [0077] Depth.Average 1.5 cm. [0078] Corolla/petals: [0079] Arrangement.Rotate, fused at base. Not overlapping. [0080] Petal quantity.5. [0081] Length.Average 1.2 cm. [0082] Width.Average 4 to 5 mm. [0083] Texture.Smooth without pubescence. [0084] Apex.Acute. [0085] Base.Fused. [0086] Margin.Smooth. [0087] Color: Petals are white upon abscission. [0088] Calyx/sepals: Filaments separate easily. [0089] Quantity per flower.5. [0090] Shape.Straight. [0091] Length.Average 6-7 mm. [0092] Width.Average 1 mm. [0093] Texture.Smooth. [0094] Color.Upper Surface: Near RHS Green 137A. Lower Surface: Near RHS Green 137A. [0095] Pedicel: [0096] Length.Average 4-5 mm. [0097] Diameter.Average 1 mm. [0098] Color.Near RHS Green 137A. [0099] Texture.Smooth without pubescence. [0100] Fragrance: Sweet, typical Citrus flower scent.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

[0101] Stamens: [0102] Number.Most commonly 12. [0103] Filament length.Approximately 2.2 cm. [0104] Anthers: [0105] Shape.Globular. [0106] Length.Approximately 0.2 cm. [0107] Color.Near RHS Yellow 3A. [0108] Pollen.Color: Near RHS Yellow 9C. Quantity: Moderate. [0109] Pistil: [0110] Number.1. [0111] Length.Approximately 0.8 cm. [0112] Style.Length: 0.6 cm. Color: Near RHS Green-Yellow 1D. [0113] Stigma.Shape: linear. Color: Near RHS Yellow 8D. Ovary Color: RHS Green 143C.

FRUIT

[0114] Color exocarp: Near RHS Orange 26A. [0115] Color mesocarp: Near RHS Yellow-Orange 18D. [0116] Flesh color: Near RHS Orange-Red 34b, 34C. [0117] Brix at consumption: 10.4 to 11.6. [0118] Brix at harvest: 12.5. Acid 0.88 Ratio of 10.50. [0119] Diameter: Average diameter at peak: 75 to 85 mm. [0120] Segment number per fruit: Medium, 10 to 11. [0121] General shape: Round. [0122] Fruit neck: Not present. [0123] Stalk end depression: Present, deep. [0124] Stalk end radial grooves: Intermediate quantity of long grooves. [0125] Fruit collar: Absent. [0126] Distal end depression: Absent. [0127] Areola: Absent. [0128] Diameter stylar scar: Large. [0129] Persistance of style: None. [0130] Naval opening: Always present, medium in size. Absent or weak bulging. [0131] Skin/rind texture: Medium to rough. Pitting and pebbling present. Sparse pitting. Peddling moderate, occurring on oil glands only. [0132] Rind: Medium thickness, medium strength. [0133] Oil glands: Small to medium, very little difference in size. Moderate conspicuousness. [0134] Rind oil: Moderate quantity of oil. Inner surface oil glands conspicuous. [0135] Fruit core: Densely filled. [0136] Rudimentary segments: Variable, from weak to intermediate. [0137] Segment wall strength: Moderate. [0138] Fruit juiciness: Moderate. [0139] Seeds: Absent or very few.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

[0140] Disease/pest resistance: No susceptibility nor resistance observed. [0141] Temperature tolerance: Tolerates low temperatures to approximately 5 C. without negative effects, tolerates high temperatures to approximately 37 C. without negative effects.