Almond Variety Named 'RHEA'

Abstract

A new and distinct almond variety of Prunus dulcis named ‘RHEA’, particularly characterized by attractive medium sized kernels and very high production. Other desirable characteristics include medium harvest time, well-sealed paper shells, with kernels having high oleic acid content.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of almond tree (Prunus dulcis) named ‘RHEA’, as illustrated and described herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0018] The accompanying photographs (drawings) illustrate the overall appearance of the new Prunus dulcis ‘RHEA’ showing the colors, as true as is reasonably possible with digital reproduction. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘RHEA’. The trees were grown on Nemaguard rootstock.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows typical flowers of ‘RHEA’, dissected (FIG. 1A) and in situ (FIG. 1B).

[0020] FIG. 2 shows various images of fruit of ‘RHEA’, including a one year-old shoot, showing green immature fruit (FIG. 2A), mature fruit in situ (FIG. 2B), and kernel and dry fruit shape (FIG. 2C).

[0021] FIG. 3 shows a typical four year-old tree of ‘RHEA’ on 15 Sep. 2010.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0022] Plants used in the aforementioned photographs and in the following description were grown outside under natural season conditions and cultural practices which approximate those generally used in commercial almond production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from about 14.5° C. to 48.2° C., night ranged from about −5.7° C. to 14° C. and light levels ranged from about 126,905 to 564,729 foot-candles. Measurements and numerical values represent averages for typical flowering plants.

[0023] The following is a detailed description of the new ‘RHEA’ variety when observed during the growing seasons from 2010 to 2015 at Lindsay Point, Victoria, Australia. During 2015, the ‘RHEA’ trees were nine years of age. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average of measurements taken from a number of trees of ‘RHEA’. The measurements of any individual tree (or any group of trees) of ‘RHEA’ may vary from the stated average.

[0024] Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.)., sixth edition, (2015). Color values were taken under conditions of natural light.

[0025] All of the trees of ‘RHEA’, insofar as they have been observed, have been consistent in the characteristics described below. [0026] Classification: [0027] Botanical.—Prunus dulcis. [0028] Parentage: [0029] Female, or seed parent.—Prunus dulcis variety designated ‘Le Grand’, unpatented. [0030] Male, or pollen parent.—Australian Prunus dulcis variety designated ‘Keane’, unpatented. [0031] Propagation: [0032] Type.—Budding onto rootstock. [0033] Time to initiate roots.—NA. [0034] Time to produce young plant.—Eight months. [0035] Root description.—‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented) rootstock. [0036] Plant description: [0037] Tree: [0038] Size.—Medium to large. Similar to Nonpareil. [0039] Vigor.—Medium to strong. [0040] Density.—Medium to high. [0041] Habit.—Slightly open. [0042] Trunk: [0043] Texture.—Slightly rough. [0044] Color of bark.—RHS 177A, moderate reddish brown. [0045] Lenticels length.—5.2 mm. [0046] Lenticels width.—1.4 mm. [0047] Lenticels density.—4 per cm.sup.2 on nine year-old wood. [0048] Lenticels shape.—Narrow elliptic. [0049] Lenticels color.—RHS 166D, moderate orange. [0050] Current season shoot: [0051] Shape in cross section.—Round. [0052] Color.—RHS 141C, strong yellowish green. [0053] One year-old shoot: [0054] Thickness.—Medium, 3-4.5 mm. [0055] Shape in cross section.—Round. [0056] Color.—RHS N197D, greyish yellow green. [0057] Anthocyanin coloration.—Present. [0058] Intensity of anthocyanin coloration.—Medium to strong. [0059] Feathering.—Slight. [0060] Lenticels.—Present. [0061] Foliage: [0062] Density.—Loose to medium. [0063] Leaf blade: [0064] Length.—46 68 mm, average 40.6 mm. [0065] Width.—12-19 mm, average 15 mm. [0066] Length/width ratio.—Low. [0067] Shape.—Elliptic. [0068] Shape of base.—Obtuse. [0069] Shape of apex.—Acute. [0070] Color.—RHS NN137B, greyish olive green. [0071] Incisions of margin.—Crenate. [0072] Venation type.—Arcuate to pinnate. [0073] Petiole: [0074] Length.—12-20 mm, average 15.5 mm. [0075] Color on upper side.—RHS 144A, strong yellow green. [0076] Shape in cross section.—Concave. [0077] Flower buds: [0078] Distribution.—Almost always on spurs. [0079] Shape.—Conical. [0080] Color of tip of petals.—RHS 62D, pale purplish pink. [0081] Color of sepals.—RHS 185B, moderate red. [0082] Hairiness of sepals.—Absent or very weak [0083] Flower: [0084] Diameter.—37-44.5 mm, average 40.7 mm, medium. [0085] Shape of petals.—Narrow elliptic to elliptic. [0086] Shape of apex.—Retuse, indented. [0087] Shape of base.—Acute. [0088] Number of petals.—Five. [0089] Color of petals.—RHS N155D, yellowish white. [0090] Number of stamens.—Medium to many. [0091] Number of pistils.—Always one. [0092] Position of stigma as compared with anthers.—Below. [0093] Stamen: [0094] Anthocyanin coloration of filament.—Absent. [0095] Stigma: [0096] Size.—Small to medium. [0097] Green fruit: [0098] Size.—Medium. [0099] Shape.—Ovate. [0100] Pubescence.—Medium. [0101] Dry fruit: [0102] Shape.—Ovate. [0103] Shape of apex.—Pointed. [0104] Length.—26-33 mm. [0105] Width.—17-21 mm. [0106] Thickness.—13-16 mm. [0107] Average weight.—1.9 g. [0108] Color.—RHS 165B, brownish orange. [0109] Surface.—Slightly rough with moderate pitting. [0110] Thickness of endocarp.—1.5-2.5 mm. [0111] Resistance to cracking.—Very low, papershell. [0112] Percentage of kernel to city fruit.—Approximately 58%. [0113] Keel development.—Medium to strong. [0114] Distribution on tree.—Mostly on spurs. [0115] Fruit: [0116] Percentage of double kernels.—None. [0117] Eating quality.—Excellent. Oil content average is 54.7%; Oleic acid 67.5%, Vitamin E 48.6 mg/100 g oil. [0118] Kernel: [0119] Shape.—Elliptic. [0120] Size.—Medlum. [0121] Average weight.—1.18 g. [0122] Length.—19-24 mm. [0123] Width.—11-13 mm. [0124] Thickness.—8-9 mm. [0125] Main color.—RHS 164B, moderate orange yellow. [0126] Intensity of color.—Light. [0127] Rugosity.—Weak to medium. [0128] Taste.—Slight semibitter. [0129] Blooming/flowering timing: [0130] Time of beginning of flowering.—Early, four to six days before ‘Nonpareil’. [0131] Time of leaf budburst in relation to beginning of flowering.—Later. [0132] Flowering period.—Approximately three and one half weeks depending on the weather. [0133] Pollen compatibility.—Self-incompatible, compatible with ‘Nonpareil’. (unpatented), ‘Monterey’ (unpatented), ‘Sonora’ (unpatented), and ‘Peerless’ (unpatented). [0134] Time of maturity.—Medium. [0135] Cultural characteristics: [0136] Susceptibility to disease.—Very good tolerance to bacterial spot.