Almond Variety Named 'MIRA'

Abstract

A new and distinct almond variety of Prunus dulcis named ‘MIRA’, particularly characterized by self-fertility and very high production. Other desirable characteristics include early harvest time, well-sealed semihard shells, and high quality, sweet kernels with high oil content.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of almond tree (Prunus dulcis) named ‘MIRA’, 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 ‘MIRA’ 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 ‘MIRA’. The trees were grown on Nemaguard rootstock.

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

[0020] FIG. 2 shows various images of fruit of ‘MIRA’, 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 ‘MIRA’ 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 ‘MIRA’ variety when observed during the growing seasons from 2010 to 2015 at Lindsay Point, Victoria, Australia. During 2015, the ‘MIRA’ trees were nine years of age. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average of measurements taken from a number of trees of ‘MIRA’. The measurements of any individual tree (or any group of trees) of ‘MIRA’ 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 ‘MIRA’, 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 ‘Nonpareil’, unpatented. [0030] Male, or pollen parent.—French self-fertile Prunus dulcis variety designated ‘Lauranne’, 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 size to Nonpareil. [0039] Vigor.—Strong. [0040] Density.—High. [0041] Habit.—Slightly open. [0042] Trunk: [0043] Texture.—Slightly rough. [0044] Color of bark.—RHS 200D, moderate brown. [0045] Lenticels length.—4.3 mm. [0046] Lenticels width.—1.9 mm. [0047] Lenticels density.—7 per cm.sup.2 on nine year-old wood. [0048] Lenticels shape.—Narrow elliptic. [0049] Lenticels color.—RHS 154B, brownish orange. [0050] Current season shoot: [0051] Shape in cross section.—Round. [0052] Color.—RHS 143A, strong yellow green. [0053] One year-old shoot: [0054] Thickness.—Thin to medium, 2.8-4.2 mm. [0055] Shape in cross section.—Round. [0056] Color.—RHS N199B, light olive brown. [0057] Anthocyanin coloration.—Present. [0058] Intensity of anthocyanin coloration.—Strong. [0059] Feathering.—Much. [0060] Lenticels.—Present. [0061] Foliage: [0062] Density.—Dense. [0063] Leaf blade: [0064] Length.—64-90 mm, average 75 mm. [0065] Width.—16-25 mm, average 21 mm. [0066] Length/width ratio.—Low. [0067] Shape.—Elliptic. [0068] Shape of base.—Obtuse. [0069] Shape of apex.—Acute. [0070] Color.—RHS NN137A, greyish olive green. [0071] Incisions of margin.—Crenate. [0072] Venation type.—Arcuate to pinnate. [0073] Petiole: [0074] Length.—18-29 mm, average 24 mm. [0075] Color on upper side.—RHS 143A, strong yellow green. [0076] Shape in cross section.—Concave. [0077] Flower buds: [0078] Distribution.—Intermediate. [0079] Shape.—Conical. [0080] Color of tip of petals.—RHS 62D, pale purplish pink. [0081] Color of sepals.—RHS 183B, dark red. [0082] Hairiness of sepals.—Absent or very weak. [0083] Flower: [0084] Diameter.—32-44 mm, average 41 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.—Medium. [0097] Green fruit: [0098] Size.—Medium. [0099] Shape.—Ovate. [0100] Pubescence.—Much. [0101] Dry fruit: [0102] Shape.—Ovate. [0103] Shape of apex.—Pointed. [0104] Length.—26-30 mm. [0105] Width.—20-24 mm. [0106] Thickness.—15-17 mm. [0107] Average weight.—2.6 g. [0108] Color.—RHS 164B, moderate orange yellow. [0109] Surface.—Smooth with moderate pitting. [0110] Thickness of endocarp.—1.6-3 mm. [0111] Resistance to cracking.—Medium, semihard. [0112] Percentage of kernel to dry fruit.—Approximately 40%. [0113] Keel development.—Medium [0114] Distribution on tree.—Intermediate. [0115] Fruit: [0116] Percentage of double kernels.—None. [0117] Eating quality.—Excellent. Oil content average is 61.3%; Oleic acid 59.3%, Vitamin E 59.3 mg/100 g oil. [0118] Kernel: [0119] Shape.—Broad elliptic. [0120] Size.—Medium. [0121] Average weight.—1.2 g. [0122] Length.—20-23 mm. [0123] Width.—12-15 mm. [0124] Thickness.—8-9.5 mm. [0125] Main color.—RHS 164B, moderate orange yellow. [0126] Intensity of color.—Light. [0127] Rugosity.—Weak. [0128] Taste.—Sweet. [0129] Blooming/flowering timing: [0130] Time of beginning of flowering.—Medium, four to six days after ‘Nonpareil’. [0131] Time of leaf budburst in relation to beginning of flowering.—Later. [0132] Flowering period.—Up to three weeks depending on the weather. [0133] Time of maturity.—Early. [0134] Cultural characteristics: [0135] Susceptibility to disease.—Fair tolerance to bacterial spot.