Blackberry plant named ‘MEF-2022.1’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of blackberry plant MEF-2022.1 is provided. The variety can be distinguished by its outstanding features of thornless stems, strong canes, large and long shaped fruit, vigor, high fruit yields, easily harvested fruit, long shelf life, and high tolerance to common blackberry diseases.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of blackberry plant named MEF-2022.1, as illustrated and described herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying photographic illustrations show the typical appearance of the new plant MEF-2022.1. The colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new plant.

(2) FIG. 1 is a photograph of the new plant MEF-2022.1, demonstrating growing cane.

(3) FIG. 2 Is a photograph of the new plant MEF-2022.1, demonstrating growing cane.

(4) FIG. 3 is a photograph of a flower of the new plant MEF-2022.1 at 7 months.

(5) FIG. 4 is a photograph of flowers of the new plant MEF-2022.1 at 7 months.

(6) FIG. 5 is a photograph of ripe fruits of the new plant MEF-2022.1 at 7 months.

(7) FIG. 6 is a photograph of unripe fruits of the new plant MEF-2022.1 at 7 months.

(8) FIG. 7 is a photograph of the adaxial side of a leaf of the new plant MEF-2022.1 at 7 months.

(9) FIG. 8 is a photograph of the abaxial side of a leaf of the new plant MEF-2022.1 at 7 months.

(10) FIG. 9 is a photograph of the ripe fruits of the new plant MEF-2022.1 at 7 months.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(11) The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of MEF-2022.1. The data which defines these characteristics was collected from asexual reproductions of the original selection. Dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are approximations and averages set forth as accurately as possible. The plant history was taken on plants approximately 1 to 2 years of age, and the descriptions relate to plants grown in Chimaltenango and Sacatep?quez, Guatemala. Color notations are in reference to hexadecimal color values known to those of ordinary skill in internet website design. Type: Herbaceous tap-rooted annual. Classification: a. Family.Rosaceae. b. Genus.Rubus L. subgenus Rubus. c. Common name.Blackberry. Parentage: a. Female parent.Unknown. b. Male parent.Unknown Market class: Fresh fruit and food industry.

PLANT

(12) General: a. Origin. b. Size.i. Width 1-1.10 meters. ii. Height 2-2.5 meters. c. Growth habit.Upright. d. Growth rate.i. Time of bud burst Early, typically April. ii. First emergence of primocanes Early, typically May. e. Guttation.Strong. f. Propagation.Tissue culture, root cuttings and root sowing. g. Fertilizer requirement.Low nitrogen fertilizers. h. Vigor.Very Vigorous.

PRODUCTIVITY

(13) General: Very high, about 20 Ton/Ha.

CANES

(14) General: Thornless, erect. a. Number of lateral branches.5-7. b. Lateral branching after tipping (measured at the end of growing season).7-10. Floricane: a. Cane.a. Base Diameter 10.7 mm. b. Midpoint Diameter 9.6 mm. c. Terminal Diameter 7.4 mm. b. Color.a. Base #5E3B3B. b. Midpoint #A14E4C. c. Terminus #83332E. c. Glandular hairs on young shoots.None. d. Dormant cane shape (cross section).Angular. e. Internode length.a. Base 4.3-4.8 cm. b. Midpoint 3.4-3.6 cm. c. Terminus 3-3.6 cm. Primocane: a. Cane.a. Base Diameter 10.7 mm. b. Midpoint Diameter 9.6 mm. c. Terminal Diameter 7.4 mm. b. Internode length.a. Base 4.3-4.8 cm. b. Midpoint 3.4-3.6 cm. c. Terminus 3 -3.6 cm. c. Color.a. Base #5E3B3B. b. Midpoint #A14E4C. c. Terminus #6E5B0E. d. Thorn density.None. e. Glandular hairs on young shoots.None. f. Cane shape (cross section).Angular.

FOLIAGE

(15) General: Abundant, large leaves. Primocane: a. Average date of leaf bud burst.7-7.5 months after planting. b. Average number of primocane produced each growing season.5-8. Leaves: a. Type.Pinnately compound. b. Size.207.0 mm in length including the petiole. c. Width.227.5 mm. d. Length.142.5 mm. e. Overall shape.Ovate. f. Glossiness.i. Abaxial Smooth. ii. Adaxial Glossy. g. Color.i. Base adaxial #0E600E. ii. Base abaxial #4F733F. iii. Midpoint adaxial #3E5C29. iv. Midpoint abaxial #3D4E22. v. Terminal adaxial #324B26. vi. Terminal abaxial #4B5D31. h. Terminal leaflet.i. Width 80.9 mm. ii. Length 58.4 mm. iii. Shape Rhombic to obovate. iv. Margin serration Deeply serrated. 1. Serration teeth length 1.7-2.5 mm. 2. Serration teeth width 1-1.5 mm. v. Apex shape Apiculated. vi. Base shape Oval. i. Number of leaflets per compound leaf.3-5. j. Venation.Parallel. k. Young leaf adaxial vein color.#697A45. l. Young leaf abaxial vein color.#82AD6B. m. Lobing.Broadly lobing. n. Shape in cross section.Flat. o. Degree of blistering between veins.Low to medium. p. Degree of undulation at margin.Very low to low. q. Petioles.i. Length 15-62 mm. ii. Color 1. Adaxial #BF9278. 2. Abaxial #AA7177. iii. Diameter 1.5-3.6 mm. iv. Texture Smooth. r. Petiolules.i. Length 0.9-1.5 mm. ii. Diameter 0.9-1.5 mm. iii. Color 1. Adaxial #CDE99C. 2. Abaxial #748C3E. iv. Texture Glossy upper surface, smooth lower surface. s. Stipules.i. Length 6.5-11.3 mm. ii. Width 0.9-1.1 mm. iii. Color 1. Adaxial #547424. 2. Abaxial #7FA55E. iv. Texture Smooth on both surfaces. v. Shape Linear. t. Rachis.i. Length 22 mm. ii. Diameter 5 mm. iii. Texture Smooth. iv. Color #FDFOEE. Floricane: a. Leaves.i. Length 142.5 mm. ii. Width 227.5 mm. iii. Overall Shape Ovate. iv. Average date of leaf bud burst 3-5 months after planting. b. Glossiness.Glossy upper surface; smooth lower surface. c. Color.i. Base adaxial #0E600E. ii. Base abaxial #4F733F. iii. Midpoint adaxial #3E5C29. iv. Midpoint abaxial #3D4E22. v. Terminal adaxial #324B26. vi. Terminal abaxial #4B5D31. d. Terminal leaflet.i. Width 80.9 mm. ii. Length 58.4 mm. iii. Apex shape Apiculated. iv. Base shape Oval. v. Shape Rhombic to obovate. vi. Margin Serrated. vii. Serration teeth length 1.7-2.5 mm. viii. Serration teeth width 1-1.5 mm. ix. Number of leaflets per compound leaf 3-5. x. Lobing Broadly lobing. xi. Shape in cross section Angular. e. Degree of blistering between veins.Absent to weak. f. Degree of undulation at margin.Very low to low. g. Petioles.i. Length 15-62 mm. ii. Diameter 1.5 3.6 mm. iii. Color 1. Adaxial side #BF9278. 2. Abaxial surface #AA7177. iv. Texture Smooth. h. Petiolules.i. Length 0.9-1.5 mm. ii. Diameter 0.9-1.5 mm. iii. Color 1. Adaxial side #CDE99C. 2. Abaxial surface #748C3E. iv. Texture Smooth. i. Stipules.i. Length 6.5-11.3 mm. ii. Width 0.9 -1.1 mm. iii. Texture Glossy upper surface, smooth lower surface. iv. Shape Linear. v. Color 1. Adaxial #547424. 2. Abaxial #7FA55E.

FLOWERS

(16) Floricane: a. Date of bloom.80-150 days after planting; typically June. b. Reproductive organs.i. Stamens 80-150. 1. Color #fcfcfc. ii. Pistils 80-120. iii. Pollen Abundant. 1. Color #f2c230. iv. Style 1. Length 0.35 cm. 2. Color #fff7de. v. Ovary 1. Color #fff7de. c. Flower.i. Diameter 15 mm-30 mm. ii. Depth 0.5-1.5 mm. iii. Shape Rotate. iv. Symmetry Actinomorphic. v. Fragrance None. d. Petals.i. Number per flower 5 per flowering point. ii. Length 10-15 mm. iii. Width 12-15 mm. iv. Shape Rhombic to obovate. v. Apex Acute. vi. Margin Smooth. vii. Base Acute. viii. Color 1. Adaxial surface #FFFFFF. 2. Abaxial surface #CAC3C2. ix. Texture 1. Adaxial Smooth. 2. Abaxial Smooth. e. Flower bud.i. Flowers per cluster 5-8. ii. Length 18 mm. iii. Width 7 mm. iv. Color 1. Adaxial #.2FD307 2. Abaxial #.9BD305 f. Sepal.i. Number per flower 5. ii. Length 5-6.5 mm. iii. Width 4-5 mm. iv. Shape Rhombic to obovate. v. Apex Acuminate. vi. Margin Smooth. vii. Base Fused. viii. Texture Smooth on the upper and lower surfaces. ix. Color 1. Adaxial #60872A. 2. Abaxial #364315. g. Pedicel.i. Length 50-80 mm. ii. Width 1.3-1.5 mm. iii. Color #48522F. iv. Texture Smooth. h. Peduncle.i. Length 50-90 mm. ii. Width 1.3-1.5 mm. iii. Color #48522F. iv. Texture Smooth. i. Cyme.i. Length 100-190 mm. ii. Width 2.5-4.0 mm. iii. Color #48522F.

FRUIT

(17) General: a. Maturity.i. Average first ripe date 1 month after flowering; August. ii. Average fruiting period 3 months; August-October. b. Size.i. Length 30-33 mm. c. Shape.Elongated. d. Weight.13-16 grams. e. Firmness.Hard. f. Texture.Smooth. g. Color.#240606. h. Diameter of fruit at primary position on inflorescence.20-23 mm. i. Diameter of fruit at secondary positions on inflorescence.16-19 mm. j. Drupelet size.i. Length 6 mm. ii. Width 5 mm. k. Drupelet number per fruit.80-135. l. Seed.i. Length 3-4 mm. ii. Width 2-2.4 mm. iii. Wet weight 5-6 mg. iv. Color wet #944304. v. Color dry #866E4C. m. Soluble solids.15.1? Bx. n. PH.3.10. o. Titratable acidity.1.01% p. Uses.Fresh food and food industry. q. Disease resistance/susceptibility.Susceptibility to Anthracnose, Resistance to powdery mildew and downy mildew (Peronospora sparsa). e. Fruiting lateral.i. Typical and observed fruiting lateral length 2 meters. ii. Typical and observed fruiting lateral diameter 12 mm. iii. Texture Pubescent. iv. Number of fruits per lateral 15-17 fruits per lateral. v. Time of emergence (month) August. vi. Color #44BC4F.