Avocado Variety Named 'BL 5-552'

Abstract

BL 5-552 is a new and distinct variety of Persea americana tree. The variety exhibits an open, upright habit. The fruit is rhomboidal, or occasionally, obovate or high spheroid shaped, lacks shoulders, is generally green skinned, is distributed throughout the canopy and commonly is larger size than that of the Hass variety. The leaves are displayed in a similar quantity to Hass and are similar in shape to those of the Lamb Hass variety. BL 5-552 has moderate resistance to Persea mites. The variety is suitable for the production of quality avocado crop under commercial growing conditions.

Claims

1. A new and distinct rootstock variety of avocado tree having the characteristics substantially as described and illustrated herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

[0012] The accompanying photographs illustrate the appearance of the new avocado tree and fruit. The color of the photographs might vary slightly compared to the variety description, however the botanical description are the most accurately description of the true color of this new variety.

[0013] FIG. 1A. FIG. 1B, FIG. 1C, and FIG. 1D four typical young BL 5-552 trees growing in South Africa of between 2 and 5 years of age.

[0014] FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B illustrate typical external and internal ripe fruit of BL 5-552 obtained from trees grown in South Africa. FIG. 2C illustrates typical external and internal BL 5-552 as contrasted to external and internal fruit of Hass and BL 516 varieties as they appear in Southern California.

[0015] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B illustrate typical bearing and appearance of BL 5-552 fruit hanging on the tree.

[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates typical vegetative flush and young/mature shoots of BL 5-552 as collected during the summer of 2017 in Irvine, Calif.

[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates typical immature fruit of BL 5-552 and their accompanying pedicels and shoots as collected during the summer of 2017 in Irvine, Calif.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0018] The following is a detailed description of the new BL 5-552 variety. Trees for this description were grown at experimental orchards of the University of California in Irvine, Calif., and Riverside, Calif. These trees were approximately 17 to 30 years of age, and had been grafted on Persea americana seedling understock. Additional tree, fruit and flower data were obtained from trees grown in Limpopo Province, South Africa. These trees were roughly 2-15 years of age. When reference to other varieties appears for comparative purposes, where possible, such varieties were approximately of equivalent age. Color chart information is with reference to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England. [0019] Tree: [0020] Growth habit.BL 5-552 is open, spreading growth habit with no drooping branches, very similar to the N4(-)5 variety. This can be compared to an upright habit with semi drooping branches for the Gwen and Lamb Hass varieties. Internode lengths on the shoot are, on average, 33.8 mm in length. [0021] Height.Generally equivalent to the Lamb Hass variety, which is 4.3 m tall in Irvine, Calif. [0022] Width.Generally equivalent to the Lamb Hass variety. which is 3.6 m wide in Irvine, Calif. [0023] Main stem: [0024] Bark.Substantially identical to that of the Hass, Gwen, N4(-)5, and 3-29-5 varieties. The new wood is smooth without corky lenticels. The old wood is corky in appearance as most other avocado varieties and light brown or gray, RHS Greyed-Green 197C, in coloration. [0025] Trunk size.Approximately 57.5 cm in circumference on average. This can be compared to an average circumference of 67.1 cm for the N4(-)5 variety and 56.1 cm for the Reed variety. [0026] Branch: [0027] Color.The color of the one year old branch is RHS Yellow Green N144A, the most recent fully formed flush is also RHS Yellow Green N144A. [0028] Smoothness.The bark of a one year old branch is smooth. [0029] Young shoot (flush): [0030] Intensity of anthocyanin coloration.Moderate, RHS Grey Brown N199B, underside is RHS Yellow Green 147C. Young leaf surface is moderately glossy. [0031] Young shoot color of lenticels.Not very conspicuous: Yellow to light green in color, generally RHS Yellow Green 144A. [0032] Young leaf color of pubescence of petiole.White. [0033] Lenticels.The lenticels of a one year old branch are not conspicuous or distinguishable, while the lenticels of the most recent fully formed flush are generally RHS Yellow Green 144A. [0034] Mature leaf: [0035] Shape.Generally lanceolate to occasionally oval with an acute tip and an acute base. The shape is substantially the same as that of Lamb Hass variety but longer and more narrow than the BL 516 variety or more oblong lanceolate to lanceolate for the Gwen variety. Leaf base is acute and leaf apex is mostly acute which is substantially similar to Gwen and Harvest. This can be compared to the Hass or 3-29-5 varieties, which have a more intermediate to acute apex. The leaf blade of BL 5-552 does not twist along its entire length, nor does the apex of the leaf exhibit twisting. [0036] Bearing.Alternate. [0037] Attitude.Upwards attitude of leaf to branch, which is much the same as for N4(-)5 variety. This can be compared to the outwards and upwards attitude of leaf to branch, for the Lamb Hass and BL 516 varieties or an upwards and outwards attitude for Gwen variety. [0038] Length.Approximately 14.9 cm on average. This can be compared to 19.9 cm for Gwen and Hass varieties, 15.3 cm for the 3-29-5 variety, 18.2 cm for the BL 516 variety, and 20.0 cm for the N4(-)5 variety on average. [0039] Width.Approximately 5.7 cm on average. This is comparable to the can be compared to 6.7 cm for the Gwen variety, 6.9 cm for the BL 516 variety, 7.8 cm for the Hass and N4(-)5 varieties, and 6.4 cm for the 3-29-5 variety on average. [0040] Leaf weight.Approximately 1.78 g on average. This can be compared to approximately 3.95 g for the Hass variety, 2.05 g for the 3-29-5 variety, 2.65 g for the N4(-)5 variety, 2.30 g for the Gwen variety and 2.78 g for the BL 516 variety on average. [0041] Color.Near RHS Green 137A on the upper surface and near RHS Green 138B on the under surface. [0042] Texture.Somewhat pubescent and leathery when young and leathery when mature. [0043] Venation.Pinnate and near RHS Yellow-Green 145A in color. Venation on upper surface is level with the rest of leaf surface. [0044] Margin.Entire. Leaf undulation is very weak to non-existent. [0045] Petiole.Commonly 35.6 mm in length, and approximately 2.0 mm in diameter. Color of petiole is RHS Yellow-Green 145A. [0046] Anise aroma.Very faint to absent and comparable to leaves of the N4(-)5 variety. [0047] Flower: [0048] Bud size.Approximately 7.2 mm in length and 3.2 mm in diameter. [0049] Bud shape.Ovate/oval initially, progressing to oval/lanceolate. [0050] Bud color.RHS Yellow-Green 149C or RHS Yellow-Green 149B. [0051] Opening.Belongs to group B, Opens as female in the afternoon of the first day and closes in the evening or early night to open as male the morning of the second day. Accordingly, it can be interplanted with complementary flower types to possibly boost fruit set and yield by making pollen available at the appropriate time. Bees (e.g. European honey bees) can be used to advantage as pollinators. [0052] Sepal.Color, upper surface, RHS Yellow-Green 149C; Color, lower surface, RHS Yellow-Green 149B. [0053] Petals.Borne in two whorls of three perianth lobes. The petals are intact, pubescent and possess margins that are not wavy or undulating. The petal coloration (upper and lower surfaces) is near RHS Yellow-Green Group 149C. [0054] Stamen.There commonly are nine fertile stamens with each having four pollen chambers, two basal orange nectar glands, and three staminoidia. The anthers are tetrathecal. [0055] Pistil.The single pistil has one carpal with one ovule. The ovary is superior. [0056] Pedicel.Commonly approximately 3.4 mm in length and approximately 0.9 mm in diameter. The coloration is near RHS Yellow-Green Group 150C. [0057] Number of flowers on inflorescence.Approximately 146 flowers per inflorescence, with approximately 9 flowers per secondary inflorescence axis. Secondary inflorescence axis has an average length of 84 mm. [0058] Fragrance.Absent. [0059] Bloom.Bloom period in Irvine, Calif. varies with cultural conditions. On average BL 5-552 has been found to bloom from February through May. [0060] Fruit, fruit and production characteristics: [0061] Fruit: [0062] Length.Approximately 110.8 mm on average. [0063] Diameter.Approximately 88.7 mm on average. [0064] Weight.Approximately 276.6 gms on average. This is larger than the Hass, the 3-29-5 and the Lamb Hass varieties which averaged 206.9 gms, 255.4 gms and 274.2 gms respectively. [0065] Shape.Generally rhomboidal, or occasionally, obovate or high spheroid shaped w/fruit apex being very slightly asymmetric in position with a rounded shape and fruit base being very slightly depressed to somewhat flattened. Compare this to the Hass variety which varies from ellipsoid to obovate, the Gwen and N4(-)5 varieties which are generally an inverted high spheroid, and the 3-29-5 variety which is generally inverted high spheroid. [0066] Color of peduncle.RHS Yellow-Green N144A. [0067] Color of skin.Mature, hard fruit is generally RHS Green Group 135A in coloration. Mature, soft fruit varies in a range including RHS Green 139A, RHS Yellow-Green 147A, and RHS Green 137A. Immature, hard fruit varies in a range including RHS Green Group 141A, and RHS Green Group 141B. Lenticels are RHS Yellow-Green N144A in color and are only distinct from background RHS Yellow-Green N144A color approaching stylar end, unlike in the BL 516 and 3-29-5 varieties which have distinct lenticels throughout the fruit's skin surface. [0068] Texture of skin.Slightly pebbled. [0069] Presence of longitudinal ridges.Absent. [0070] Thickness of skin.Somewhat leathery in consistency, not corky or membranous. Width averages 1.7 mm as compared to 1.6 mm for Hass variety, 1.8 mm for 3-29-5 variety, 1.2 mm for BL 516 variety and 1.5 mm for Lamb Hass variety. [0071] Adherence of skin to flesh.Minimal. [0072] Main color of flesh.RHS Yellow Group 4C and RHS Yellow Green Group N135A near the skin. [0073] Width of intensely colored area next to the skin.Approximately 2.5 mm. [0074] Conspicuousness of fibers in flesh.Inconspicuous. [0075] Fruit pedicel.Approximately 10.1 mm in diameter. Pedicel color is RHS Yellow Green 144A and generally has a wrinkled surface. [0076] Time of harvesting.BL 5-552 typically ripens later than Hass variety and is a summer and fall fruit (in Irvine, Calif.). [0077] Seed: [0078] Length.Approximately 4.6 cm on average. [0079] Width.Approximately 4.4 cm on average. [0080] Weight.Approximately 38.9 gms on average. This is smaller than 3-29-5, and Lamb Hass varieties measured, which averaged 40.5 gms, and 39.5 gms respectively and larger than Hass, which averaged 30.6 gms. [0081] Shape (in longitudinal section).Base flattened, apex conical shape as compared to the N4(-)5 and Gwen varieties which are spheroid, the Hass variety which is variable but mostly ellipsoid, or the 3-29-5 variety which is broadly obovate. [0082] Shape (in cross section).Generally circular. [0083] Color of seed coat (fresh).Greyed Orange Group 164B. [0084] Cotyledon color.Orange White 159A. [0085] Productivity: Generally favorable to that of the Fuerte variety, and likely with less inconsistency in annual yields to the Fuerte variety. [0086] Hardiness: Generally comparable to other commercial varieties such as the Hass, N4(-)5, 3-29-5 and Lamb Hass varieties. [0087] Market use: BL 5-552 is a superior tasting avocado that could, in some countries, compete favorably with the Fuerte and Ryan varieties for both fresh retail and food service markets. Also, the fruit can serve as a source for processed guacamole and other avocado by-products. The tree shows more consistent yield of good quality, easy peeling green skinned fruit than the Fuerte commercial variety, and its fruit is also less susceptible to bruising and fungal diseases than the fruit of the Fuerte variety. The BL 5-552 fruit is also of higher eating quality than Ryan fruit and has a smaller seed to flesh ratio than the Ryan variety.