Citrus reticulata tree named ‘Tift3-46’

Abstract

A new variety of Citrus reticulata plant named Tift3-46 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 Tift3-46, 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 reticulata Tift3-46. 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 Tift3-46 scion grafted onto a Poncirus trifoliata rootstock.

(4) FIG. 2 is a photograph of whole Tift3-46 fruit attached to a tree.

(5) FIG. 3 is a photograph of Tift3-46 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 reticulata. Tree: Growth habit.Dense and spreading. Four year old trees growing on Poncirus trifoliata rootstock had a height of 155-255 cm and a width of 155-245 cm. Vigor.High. Bark.Smooth new bark texture; slightly textured on old bark. New bark color primarily RHS Yellow Green Group 147B; old bark color RHS Green Brown Group 199C. Spines.None. Foliage: Leaf shape.Generally ovate to elliptical. Leaf apex.Broadly acute. Leaf base.Substantially acute. Leaf size.Relatively medium in size, commonly approximately 40 mm in width (mean value) and approximately 90 mm in length (mean values), and commonly intermediate in thickness. Leaf margin.Mildly crenate. Leaf color.Commonly medium green, commonly near Green Group 137A on the upper surface and near Green Group 137C on the lower surface, with no anthocyanin. Petioles.Commonly approximately 9.6 mm in length and 2.1 mm in width on average with an inconspicuous presence of wings; color is commonly near Green Group 137B; texture is generally mildly crenate. Inflorescence: Habit.Commonly flowers once per season. Inflorescence type.Panicle-type inflorescence with one flower bud per leaf node, mainly at terminal end of limbs. Inflorescence size.Length=mean of 25.1 mm (Range=19-30 mm) at terminal ends of limbs. Fragrance.Mild, 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 5.4 mm (range=4-6 mm); Width=5.0 mm (range 4-6 mm). At anthesis: Length=mean of 12.3 mm (range 10-13 mm); Width=mean of 8.9 mm (range 8-10 mm). Bud shape.7 days prior anthesis; slightly oval. At anthesis; Linear oblong. Bud color designation.7 days prior anthesis; RHS White Group 155C. At anthesis; White Group 155C. 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 N155C (adaxial); White Group 155C (abaxial). Petal length.12.2 mm (Range 11-14 mm). Petal width.5.5 mm (range 5-6 mm). Calyx diameter.Mean of 4.9 mm. (Range of 3-7 mm). Calyx color.RHS White Group 155A. Anther number.Mean of 18.9. (range 16-21). Filament length.Mean of 8.2 mm. (range 7-9 mm). Filament color.RHS White Group N155C. Anther color.RHS Greyed-Orange Group 163C. Pollen color.RHS White Group 155A. Pollen stainability with aceto carmine.9%. Style length.Mean of 3.4 mm. (range 3-4 mm). Style color.RHS White Group 155A. Self incompatibility.Absent. 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. Mean fruit height is 4.4 cm (range 4.0-4.9 cm). Size.Commonly approximately 15-21 cm in circumference and weight 49 to 105 g (mean values). Neck.Absent. Fruit base.Truncate with a slight collar. Fruit apex.Truncate. Proximal (stalk) end.Slightly flattened. Distal end.Truncated. Nipple.Commonly absent. Surface texture.Smooth to moderate roughness, and commonly with moderate glossiness. Fruit areola.Smooth and of medium diameter. Fruit surface oil glands.Small, less than 1 mm; areola present; smooth type, medium diameter. Persistence of style.Commonly none. Fruit albedo.Density medium; color RHS White Group 155B; amount adhering to the flesh is small. Rind.Commonly medium in thickness with medium oiliness; fruit rind adherence to fruit medium. Surface color.Commonly Greyed-Orange 173C. Flesh color.Commonly Greyed-Orange 172B. Filling of interior.Very dense commonly with a moderate number of developed segments and the absence of rudimentary segments. Typically 10-12 fruit segments with a mean of 11. Fruit core diameter.Large. Seeds.Commonly approximately 1 to 5 per fruit on average. Seed shape clavate; average seed length 10.2 mm (range 9-12 mm); average seed width 5 mm (range 4-6 mm); seed surface texture smooth; outer seed coat color Greyed Brown 199D. Juiciness.High; about 28 to 34 ml per fruit (mean values based on limited sampling). Fruit juice acidity.Medium. Brix.About 10 to 16 (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. Disease and pest resistance.Relatively disease free in areas of testing. Mainly have to control leaf miners on new growth Phyllocnistis citrella; rust mites Phyllocoptruta oleivora; and aphids in general Aphis sp.