Blueberry plant, 'NS 13-6'

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant, which is denominated varietally as NS 13-6 is described, and which produces a fruit having a medium to large fruit size, a high to very high fruit sweetness, a firm fruit, a low to medium fruit acidity, and displaying a small dry picking scar, and an extremely high yield, 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, a high to very high fruit sweetness, a firm fruit, a low to medium fruit acidity, and displaying a small dry picking scar, and an extremely high yield, when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Yanchep Springs, Yanchep, Western Australia.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The accompanying drawings which are provided are color photographs of the new blueberry plant NS 13-6.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a color photograph, which shows leaves, blooms, and fruit of the new blueberry plant NS 13-6. This photograph depicts several ripe fruit, the fruit being sufficiently mature for harvesting and shipment, and further shows typical shoot-bearing leaves, the ventral and dorsal coloration thereof, and several blooms at different stages of maturation.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a color photograph, which shows the leaves of the new blueberry plant NS 13-6. This photograph depicts several leaves showing the dorsal and ventral colorations thereof.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a color photograph, which shows the fruit of the new blueberry plant NS 13-6. This photograph depicts a cross sectional view of a ripe fruit, the fruit being sufficiently mature for harvesting and shipment. This photograph also depicts the medium to large fruit size, the color of the ripe fruit flesh, and the color of the seeds of the new blueberry plant NS 13-6.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a color photograph, which shows the new blueberry plant NS 13-6. This photograph depicts mature bushes with ripe and unripe fruit, the ripe fruit being sufficiently mature for harvesting and shipment, the medium to large fruit size, and the semi-upright growth habit of the bushes.

[0015] 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 6th Edition, hereinafter R.H.S.), and the color descriptions as provided, hereinafter.

NOT A COMMERCIAL WARRANTY

[0016] 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

[0017] Referring more specifically to the botanical details of this new and distinct variety of blueberry plant, the following has been observed during the 2016 growing season under the ecological conditions prevailing at the farm of the inventor, and which is located near Yanchep Springs, Yanchep, Western Australia. [0018] Plant: [0019] Plant vigor.Considered to be strong for the variety. [0020] Plant growth habit.Considered to be semi-upright. [0021] Size of plant.On average, about 1.5 meters by 1.0 meters. [0022] Internode length one-year-old shoots.About 18.0 to 25.0 mm. This is considered to be medium for the variety. [0023] Color, one-year-old shoots.Strong Yellow Green (RHS 144D). [0024] Fruiting type.One-year-old shoots only. [0025] Leaves: [0026] Leaf length.On average, about 61.3 mm. This is considered to be a medium to long length for the variety. [0027] Leaf width.On average, about 26.1 mm. This is considered to be a medium width for the variety. [0028] Leaf ratio, length/width.On average, about 2.35. [0029] Color of leaf, dorsal surface.Medium Yellow Green (RHS 138B). [0030] Color of leaf, ventral surface.Medium Yellow Green (RHS 137C). [0031] Color of leaf, vein.Light Yellow Green (RHS 145C). [0032] Venation pattern of leaf.Reticulate pinnate. [0033] Leaf apex texture.Glabrous. [0034] Leaf apex shape.Acuminate. [0035] Leaf base shape.Cuneate. [0036] Leaf shape.Elliptic. [0037] Leaf marginal edge.Entire. [0038] Leaf arrangement of plant.Alternate. [0039] Vegetative bud burst, date.Considered to be medium for the variety. The present, new variety is considered to be evergreen. [0040] Flowers: [0041] Inflorescence length, excluding peduncle.Considered to be medium for the variety. [0042] Flower bud coloration.The presence of anthocyanin is considered strong in the flower buds for the variety. [0043] Beginning of flowering on one-year-old shoots.Late April to early May when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Yanchep Springs, Yanchep, Western Australia. [0044] Beginning of flowering on current year's shoots.Flowering does not occur on current year shoots. [0045] Corolla shape.Urceolate. [0046] Corolla ridges.Present. [0047] Corolla tube size.8.0 to 9.0 mm by 6.0 mm. This is considered to be medium for the variety. [0048] Calyx diameter.On average, about 8.0 mm. This is considered to be large for the variety. [0049] Calyx basin depth.Considered to be deep for the variety. [0050] Attitude of sepals.Considered to be erect. [0051] Type of sepals.Considered to be straight. [0052] Reproductive organs: [0053] Pollination requirements.The variety is self-fertile. [0054] Fruit: [0055] Unripe fruit, intensity of green color.Considered to be light for the variety. [0056] Ripe fruit skin, color.Dark blue. [0057] Ripe fruit size.On average, about 17.7 mm. This is considered to be medium to large for the variety. [0058] Berry shape, longitudinal section.Round. [0059] Sweetness, when ripe.Considered to be high to very high for the variety. [0060] Firmness, when ripe.Considered to be firm for the variety. [0061] Acidity, when ripe.Considered to be low to medium for the variety. [0062] Cluster density.Considered to be medium for the variety. [0063] Storability of the fruit.Considered to be excellent for the variety. [0064] Market use.Considered to be First Grade fresh market fruit. [0065] Beginning of fruit ripening on one-year-old shoots.August, when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Yanchep Springs, Yanchep, Western Australia. [0066] Beginning of fruit ripening on current year's shoots.Generally, there is no ripening on the current year's shoots. [0067] Harvesting date.November, when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Yanchep Springs, Yanchep, Western Australia. [0068] 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 resistances to any known plant and/or fruit diseases. 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 usual variations of the magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control, frost, climatic variables and horticultural management are to be expected.