Plant named ‘NS 13-1’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant, which is denominated varietally as NS 13-1 is described, and which produces a fruit having a medium to large fruit size, high fruit sweetness, high fruit firmness, and low fruit acidity and which, when ripe, detaches well from the plant, and which further has a very early fruit production date, when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Yanchep Springs, Yanchep, Western Australia.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant, substantially as illustrated and described, and which is characterized principally as to novelty by producing a fruit having a medium to large fruit size, high fruit sweetness, high fruit firmness, and low fruit acidity and which, when ripe, detaches well from the plant, and which further has a very early fruit production date, when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Yanchep Springs, Yanchep, Western Australia.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings which are provided are color photographs of the new blueberry plant NS 13-1 at four year's age.

(2) FIG. 1 is a color photograph, which shows the new blueberry plant NS 13-1. This photograph depicts several ripe fruit which are sufficiently mature for harvesting and shipment, and further shows typical shoot-bearing leaves, and several leaves showing the dorsal coloration thereof.

(3) FIG. 2 is a color photograph, which shows the new blueberry plant NS 13-1. This photograph depicts a mature bush with unripe and ripe fruit, the ripe fruit being sufficiently mature for harvesting and shipment, further shows the spreading growth habit of the bush.

(4) The colors in the attached photographs are as nearly true as reasonably possible in a color representation of this type. Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual specimens. For this reason, future color references should be made to the color plates (Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 6.sup.th Edition, hereinafter R.H.S.), and the color descriptions as provided, hereinafter.

NOT A COMMERCIAL WARRANTY

(5) The following detailed description has been prepared solely to comply with the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, and does not constitute a commercial warranty (either expressed or implied), that the present, new variety will, in the future, display the botanical, horticultural, or other characteristics as set forth, hereinafter. Therefore, this disclosure may not be relied upon to support any future legal claims including, but not limited to, breach of warranty and merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose, or non-infringement which is directed, in whole, or in part, to the present, new variety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) Referring more specifically to the botanical details of this new and distinct variety of blueberry plant, the following has been observed during the fifth growing season under the ecological conditions prevailing at the property of the inventor, and which is located near Yanchep Springs, Yanchep, Western Australia. Plant: Plant vigor.The present, new variety of blueberry plant is considered to display a low to medium plant vigor. Plant growth habit.The present, new variety of blueberry plant has a spreading growth habit. Size of plant.On average, about 1.5 meters by 1.0 meters. Internode length.One-Year-Old Shoots and Current Season Shoots: About 25.0 millimeters. Bark color.Grey Orange (RHS 173C). Color, one-year-old shoots.Yellow Green (RHS 145B). Leaves: Leaf length.About 60.0 millimeters. This is considered an average length. Leaf width.About 32.6 millimeters. This is considered an average width. Leaf ratio, length/width.On average, about 1.84. Color of leaf, dorsal surface.Yellow Green (RHS 146A). Color of leaf, ventral surface.Yellow Green (RHS 147C). Color of leaf, vein.Yellow Green (RHS 145C). Venation pattern of leaf.Reticulate. Leaf apex texture.Glabrous. Leaf apex shape.Acute. Leaf base shape.Acute. Leaf shape.Elliptic. Leaf marginal edge.Entire. Leaf arrangement of plant.Alternate. Leaf petioles.Length. 2.68 mm. Diameter. 1.58 mm. Color. Moderate Yellow Green (RHS 138C). Deciduous bud burst, date.Not applicable, evergreen. Time of vegetative bud burst.August-September, under the ecological conditions prevailing near Yanchep Springs, Yanchep, Western Australia. Flowers: Number of flowers.About 5-8. Inflorescence length, excluding peduncle.About 17 millimeters. Flower bud coloration.The presence of anthocyanin is considered very weak in the flower buds. Beginning of flowering on one-year-old shoots.Considered very early in the growing season. Beginning of flowering on current year's shoots.Considered very early in the season. First bloom, date.January-February under the ecological conditions prevailing near Yanchep Springs, Yanchep, Western Australia. Bloom time, duration.8 weeks under the ecological conditions prevailing near Yanchep Springs, Yanchep, Western Australia. Corolla shape.Urceolate. Corolla ridges.Present. Corolla length.On average, about 7.8 millimeters. Corolla diameter.On average, about 10.4 millimeters. Corolla aperture size.On average, about 6.0 millimeters. Corolla tube coloration.White (RHS NN155D). Pedicel color.Green (RHS 142B). Pedicel length.On average, about 6.3 millimeters. Calyx diameter.On average, about 6.0 millimeters. Calyx basin depth.On average, about 2.0 millimeters. Attitude of sepals.Considered to be erect. Type of sepals.Straight. Reproductive organs: Pollen anthers, size.On average, about 4.4 millimeters. Pollen anthers, color.Grey Orange (RHS 167C). Pistil, length.On average, about 8.85 millimeters. Pistil, color.Yellow Green (RHS 145B). Pollination requirements.The variety is self-fertile. Fruit: Unripe fruit, color.Yellow Green (RHS N144D). Unripe fruit, intensity of green color.Considered low for the species. Ripe fruit skin, color.Bluish Black (RHS 203C). Ripe fruit flesh, color.Yellow Green (RHS 145C). Seeds, color.Grey Orange (RHS 167D). Fruit size.On average, about 20.0 mm in diameter with height 15.3 mm. Fruit weight.On average, about 4.0 grams. Fruit production.On two-year-old bush, on average, 4 kilograms. Berry shape.Oblate. Sweetness, when ripe.Considered high. Firmness, when ripe.Firm. Acidity, when ripe.Low for the species. Cluster density.Medium. Storability of the fruit.Considered Excellent. Market use.First Grade Fresh Market Fruit. First pick date.April under the ecological conditions prevailing near Yanchep Springs, Yanchep, Western Australia. Lack pick date.June under the ecological conditions prevailing near Yanchep Springs, Yanchep, Western Australia. Plant fruiting type.Generally speaking, fruiting occurs on one-year-old, and current season's shoots. Beginning of fruit ripening on one-year-old shoots.Considered to be very early in the season. Beginning of fruit ripening on current year's shoots.Considered to be very early in the season. Resistance to insects and diseases.No particular susceptibilities were noted. The present, new variety has not been tested to expose or detect any susceptibilities or resistance to any known plant and/or fruit diseases.

(7) Although the new variety of blueberry plant possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Yanchep Springs, Yanchep, Western Australia, it should be understood that the variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control, frost, climatic variables and horticultural management are to be expected.