Citrus ichangensis x C. maxima tree named ‘Tift2-16’

Abstract

A new variety of Citrus ichangensis x C. maxima plant named Tift2-16 produces fruit with a reduced number of seeds, making it valuable as a backyard fruit tree. Also, it is a desirable tree for landscaping.

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of the Citrus plant named Tift2-16, as herein illustrated and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance and distinct characteristics of the new cultivar of Citrus Tift2-16. The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with the photographic and printing technology utilized. The photographs are of four year old trees (measured from the time of grafting).

(2) Certain characteristics of this variety, such as growth and color, may change with changing environmental conditions (e.g., light, temperature, moisture, nutrients availability, or other factors).

(3) FIG. 1 is a photograph of a tree with Tift2-16 scion grafted onto a Poncirus trifoliata rootstock.

(4) FIG. 2 is a photograph of whole Tift2-16 fruit attached to a tree.

(5) FIG. 3 is a photograph of Tift2-16 fruit cut in half.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(6) The described plants of the new cultivar were approximately four years of age, had been asexually reproduced by grafting on Poncirus trifoliata rootstock (non-patented) and were observed growing outdoors in full sunlight in Tifton, Ga. Observations obtained during the growing season of 2016 are described below. All colors listed below are with reference to The Royal Horticulture Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart (Fifth Edition, published 2007). Classification: Citrus ichangensis x C. maxima. Tree: Vigor.High. Growth habit.Sparse and spreading. Four year old trees of the new variety growing on Poncirus trifoliata rootstock had a height of 265-340 cm and a width or spread of 180-245 cm. Bark.New bark has a smooth texture and has a color of Yellow-Green Group RHS 147C; older bark has a slight texture and has a color of Green-Brown Group RHS 199C. Spines.Moderate number of spines range from none on some limbs, to an average length of 18 mm on some limbs to an average of 33 mm on other limbs and does not appear to be related to age of wood. Spine density is medium on new growth (Green Group RHS N137D) and sparse on mature growth (Green Group RHS N137A). Foliage: Leaf shape.Generally ovate to elliptical. Leaf apex.Broadly acute. Leaf base.Substantially acute. Leaf size.Relatively long and broad, commonly approximately 135 mm in length (mean value) and 55 mm in width (mean value), and commonly intermediate in thickness. Leaf margin.Mildly crenate. Surface texture.Upper and lower leaf surfaces both smooth with nerve texture. Leaf color.Commonly medium green, commonly near Green Group 137A on the upper surface and near Green Group 137C the lower surface, with an absence of anthocyanin. Petioles.Commonly approximately 29 mm in length and 18 mm in width on average with the presence of wings; color is commonly near Green Group 137A; surface texture is generally smooth. Inflorescence: Habit.Commonly flowers once per season. Inflorescence type.Panicle-type inflorescence with one to ten flower buds per inflorescence, mainly axillary. Inflorescence size.Length=mean of 41.2 mm (Range=30-53 mm). Width=mean of 41.6 mm (range of 30-50 mm). Fragrance.Strong, but pleasant citrus fragrance. Blooming season.April 157 days depending on winter temperatures. Warmer winter, earlier flowering. Colder winter, later flowering. Bud size.7 days prior anthesis: Length=mean of 7.1 mm (range=6-8 mm); Width=6.7 mm (range 5 mm-8 mm). At anthesis: Length=mean of 26.5 mm (range 23 mm-29 mm); Width=mean of 11.6 mm (range 10 mm-14 mm). Bud shape.7 days prior anthesis; slightly oval. At anthesis; Linear oblong. Color designation.7 days prior anthesis; RHS White Group 155D. At anthesis; White group 155B. Flower petal shape.Linear oblong. Flower petal margin type.Entire. Flower petal apex type.Acute. Flower petal base type.Truncate. Flower color designation.RHS White Group N155B (adaxial); White Group 155A (abaxial). Petal length.28.8 mm (Range 26-31 mm). Petal width.10 mm (range 9-12 mm). Calyx diameter.Mean of 8.8 mm. (Range of 8-10 mm). Calyx color.RHS Greyed-Green 194B. Anther number.Mean of 25.3. (range 22-28). Filament length.Mean of 18.7 mm. (range 18-21 mm). Filament color.RHS White Group N155B. Anther color.RHS Greyed-Orange Group 163B. Pollen color.RHS White Group N155B. Pollen stainability with aceto carmine.64%. Style length.Mean of 11.1 mm. (range 8-14 mm). Style color.RHS White Group 155A. Self incompatibility.Absent. Fruit parthenocarpy.Absent. Fruit: Configuration.Generally round, somewhat flattened at stalk end. Greatest diameter is in the middle region (as illustrated); a depression is present at the stalk end of the fruit. Size.Commonly approximately 23.7-30 cm in circumference and weight 179 to 372 g (mean values). Mean fruit height is 7.8 cm, range 7.3-8.1 cm. Neck.Absent. Proximal (stalk) end.Slightly flattened. Distal end.Truncated. Nipple.Commonly absent. Persistence of style.Commonly none. Oil glands.Small (less than 1 mm). Rind.Commonly thick with medium oiliness. Fruit rind adherence to flesh.Medium. Surface.Glossiness medium; texture smooth, color. commonly near Green-Yellow Group 1D. Vesicles.Length 59.6 mm (Range=55-65 mm); width 21.5 mm (Range 18-25 mm); diameter at surface opposite fruit center 15.3 mm (Range 11-20 mm). Albedo.Color White Group RHS 155C; dense; large amount adhering to flesh. Flesh color.Commonly near Greyed-Yellow Group 160D. Filling of interior.Very dense commonly with a moderate number of developed segments and the absence of rudimentary segments. Average number of fruit segments 10.6; range 10-11. Fruit core diameter small. Seeds.Commonly approximately 5 to 8 per fruit on average; average seed length is 14 mm (Range 11-17); average width is 9.7 mm (Range=8-13); seed surface texture is smooth; outer seed coat is Grey-Brown Group 199D to White Group 155D; seed shape is spheroid. Juiciness.High juiciness; 75-166 ml per fruit (mean values based on limited sampling); acidity of juice is medium. Brix.7.5-12.2 (mean values based on limited sampling). Maturity.Commonly approximately 210 days to maturity on average in Tifton, Ga. Harvest time.Commonly from about the end of October until about the end of December in Tifton, Ga. Market.Fresh for consumption, and for use in landscaping/backyard plantings. Plant disease/pest resistance.Relatively disease free in areas of testing; mainly have to control leaf miners (Phyllocnistis citrella); rust mites (Phyllocoptruta oleviora); and aphids in general (Aphis sp.).