Blueberry plant named ‘Ridley 4514’

Abstract

The new blueberry plant variety ‘Ridley 4514’ is provided. ‘Ridley 4514’ is a commercial variety intended for the market. The variety is produced from a cross of seed parent ‘C99-42’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,695) with pollen parent ‘C00-008’ (unpatented), which can be distinguished by its outstanding features.

Description

Latin name of the family, genus, and species: Family—Ericaceae. Genus—Vaccinium. Species—hybrid.

Variety denomination: The new blueberry plant claimed is of the variety denominated ‘Ridley 4514’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety of Vaccinium hybrid (Southern Highbush Blueberry), which has been given the variety denomination of ‘Ridley 4514. Its market class is that of a fruiting plant. ‘Ridley 4514’ is intended for use as fresh fruit for shipping, customer pick and processing markets and as a home garden plant.

The new Vaccinium hybrid cultivar is a selection resulting from seedlings produced in a breeding programme of Vaccinium at Lindendale, NSW, Australia in 2006 from the controlled pollination of seed parent ‘C99-42’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,695) with pollen parent ‘C00-008’ (unpatented). The new cultivar was discovered and selected as a single plant within a population of 100 resulting Vaccinium hybrid plants from this controlled pollination in 2008 in a commercial field plantation environment at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia. Selection criteria was a combination of strong plant growth vigor, low chilling requirement, early time of flowering and fruit ripening, large to very large firm fruit suited to handling, high yield, desirable tasting berries and small picking scar.

The selection was subsequently evaluated for a number of years at the commercial farms at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cutting propagation since 2009 at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia has demonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new Vaccinium hybrid cultivar is a selection resulting from seedlings produced in a breeding programme of Vaccinium at Lindendale, NSW, Australia in 2006 from the controlled pollination of seed parent ‘C99-42’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,695) with pollen parent ‘C00-008’ (unpatented).

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the seed parent ‘C99-42’ primarily in very strong plant growth vigor, large to very large berry diameter, very firm fruit firmness, high level of sweetness and very early flowering season whereas the seed parent has medium plant growth vigor, medium berry diameter, medium fruit firmness, medium level of sweetness and early-medium flowering season. Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the pollen parent ‘C00-008’ primarily in very strong plant growth vigor, large to very large berry diameter, very firm fruit firmness and very early flowering season whereas the pollen parent has strong plant growth vigor, large berry diameter, soft to medium fruit firmness and medium flowering season.

The new Vaccinium hybrid cultivar is a selection resulting from seedlings produced in a breeding programme of Vaccinium at Lindendale, NSW, Australia in 2006 from the controlled pollination of seed parent ‘C99-42’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,695) with pollen parent ‘C00-008’ (unpatented). The new cultivar was discovered and selected as a single plant within a population of 100 resulting Vaccinium hybrid plants from this controlled pollination in 2008 in a commercial field plantation environment at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia. Selection criteria was a combination of strong plant growth vigor, low chilling requirement, early time of flowering and fruit ripening, large firm fruit suited to handling, high yield, desirable tasting berries and small picking scar.

The selection was subsequently evaluated for a number of years at the commercial farms at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia.

The following characteristics of the new cultivar have been repeatedly observed and can be used to distinguish ‘RIDLEY 4514’ as a new and distinct cultivar of Vaccinium hybrid plant:

• • 1. Upright plant growth habit
  • 2. Very early timing of beginning of flowering
  • 3. early timing of fruit ripening
  • 4. Very strong plant growth vigor
  • 5. Dark blue berry color
  • 6. Berry firmness is very firm
  • 7. Picking scar is dry
  • 8. Leaf width is broad
  • 9. Berry size is large to very large
  • 10. Berry sweetness is medium to high

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the seed parent ‘C99-42’ primarily in very strong plant growth vigor, large to very large berry diameter, very firm fruit firmness, high level of sweetness and very early flowering season whereas the seed parent has medium plant growth vigor, medium berry diameter, medium fruit firmness, medium level of sweetness and early-medium flowering season. Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the pollen parent ‘C00-008’ primarily in very strong plant growth vigor, large to very large berry diameter, very firm fruit firmness and very early flowering season whereas the pollen parent has strong plant growth vigor, large berry diameter, soft to medium fruit firmness and medium flowering season.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cutting propagation since 2009 at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia has demonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic illustration shows typical specimens in full color of the foliage and fruit of the new variety ‘Ridley 4514.’ The colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the new variety ‘Ridley 4514’, demonstrating the plant's upright growth habit.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of the flower, leaf and fruit of the new variety ‘Ridley 4514’.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of the inflorescence of the new variety ‘Ridley 4514.’

The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with the photographic and printing technology utilized. The color values cited in the detailed botanical description accurately describe the colors of the new blueberry.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘Ridley 4514’. 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 4 years of age, and the descriptions relate to plants grown in the field in Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia. Descriptions of fruit characteristics were made on fruit grown in Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia. Color designations are from Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia.

Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Color Chart, of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2007 edition.

• Classification:
  • • a. Family.—Ericaceae.
    • b. Genus.—Vaccinium.
    • c. Species.—hybrid.
    • d. Common name.—Southern Highbush Blueberry.
• Parentage:
  • • Female parent.—‘C99-42.’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,695).
    • Male parent.—‘C00-008.’ (unpatented).
• Market class: A fruiting plant intended for use as fresh fruit for shipping, customer pick and processing markets and as a home garden plant.

PLANT

• General:
  • • Parentage.—Female Parent — ‘C99-42.’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,695). Male Parent — ‘C00-008.’ (unpatented).
    • Plant height.—2.0 m.
    • Plant width.—1.2 m.
    • Growth habit.—Upright.
    • Growth.—Very strong vigor.
    • Productivity.—Greater than 5 kg per season from 3-4 year old plants planted at 3.0 m×0.9 m density.
    • Cold hardiness.—Has not been grown in all environments including harsh winter environments.
    • Cold tolerance.—Cold tolerance is expected to be low.
    • Chilling requirement.—Has not been grown in all environments and is typically grown as an evergreen crop where chilling hours are not important. ‘Ridley 4514’ is classed as ‘low chill’, typical of Southern Highbush Blueberry varieties with an estimated chilling requirement of 250 hours (not tested).
    • Tolerance to disease.—Moderate resistance to root disease (phytophthora spp) and good resistance to blueberry rust.
    • Leafing.—Vegetative bud burst is late when grown as an evergreen in Australia.
    • Twigginess.—Low.

STEM

• General:
  • • Suckering tendency.—Plants typically have 5-7 major canes per plant from a base 30 cm in diameter on 6 year old plants.
    • Mature cane color.—Color greyed orange 198C.
    • Mature cane length.—0.8-0.9 m.
    • Mature cane width.—1.2 cm.
    • Bark texture.—Medium roughness (typical of species).
    • Surface texture of new wood.—Smooth.
    • Internode length on strong, new shoots.—15-20 mm.
    • Fruiting wood.—To 15 cm in length.

FOLIAGE

• General:
  • • Time of beginning of leaf bud burst.—Late.
    • Leaf color (top side).—Yellow green 147A.
    • Leaf color (under side).—Yellow green 147C.
    • Leaf arrangement.—Alternate.
    • Leaf shape.—Elliptic.
    • Leaf margins.—Entire.
    • Undulation of margin.—Weak.
    • Leaf venation.—Reticulate.
    • Leaf apices.—Acuminate.
    • Leaf bases.—Obtuse.
    • Leaf length.—50-70 mm.
    • Leaf width.—28-34 mm.
    • Leaf length/width ratio.—Medium.
    • Leaf nectarines.—Absent.
    • Pubescence of upper side.—Absent.
    • Pubescence of lower side.—Absent.
    • Cross sectional profile.—Flat.
    • Longitudinal profile.—Straight.
    • Attitude.—Semi-upright to horizontal.
• Petioles:
  • • Length.—1.0 to 3.0 mm.
    • Width.—2.0 mm.
    • Color.—Yellow green 146C-147C.

FLOWERS

• General:
  • • Time of beginning of flowering.—Very early (late April to Early May at Lindendale, NSW Australia).
    • Time of 50% anthesis.—Early July at Lindendale, NSW Australia.
    • Flower shape.—Urceolate.
    • Flower bud density.—Medium density.
    • Flower fragrance.—Weak.
• Corolla:
  • • Color.—White NN155D.
    • Length.—15-16 mm.
    • Width.—9-10 mm.
    • Aperture width.—3-5 mm.
    • Anthocyanin coloration of corolla.—Absent.
    • Corolla ridges.—Present.
    • Protrusion of stigma.—Usually absent.
• Inflorescence:
  • • Length.—40 to 70 mm.
    • Diameter.—20-40 mm.
    • Length of peduncle.—15 mm.
    • Surface texture of peduncle.—Smooth.
    • Color of peduncle.—Yellow green 146C.
    • Length of pedicel.—8-10 mm.
    • Surface texture of pedicel.—Smooth.
    • Color of pedicel.—Yellow green 147C.
    • Number of flowers per cluster.—10-14.
    • Flower cluster density.—Medium.
• Calyx (with sepals):
  • • Diameter.—9-12 mm.
    • Color (sepals).—Green 138C to yellow green 147C.
• Stamen:
  • • Length.—4-5 mm.
    • Number per flower.—Approximately 10.
    • Filament color.—Yellow green 144D.
• Pistil:
  • • Style.—Length — 5-6 mm.
    • Ovary color (exterior).—Yellow green 144D-yellow green 147C.
• Anther:
  • • Length.—3.0-3.5 mm.
    • Number.—Approximately 10.
    • Color.—Grayed orange 167C-D.
• Pollen:
  • • Abundance.—Medium.
    • Color.—Grayed orange 167C-D.
    • Self-compatibility.—60% fruit set with own pollen in tests at Lindendale, NSW Australia.

FRUIT

• General:
  • • Time of fruit ripening.—Early (Early July at Lindendale, NSW Australia).
    • Time of 50% maturity.—Mid-late September.
    • Fruit development period.—55 days.
    • Cluster density.—Dense, 8-10 berries per cluster.
    • Unripe fruit color.—Green 138A.
    • Ripe berry color.—Black 202A.
    • Berry surface wax abundance.—Strong.
    • Berry flesh color.—Grayed green 194A-195A.
    • Berry weight.—2.5-3.0 g.
    • Berry height from calyx to scar.—12-14 mm.
    • Berry diameter.—20 mm.
    • Berry shape.—Oblate.
    • Fruit stem scar.—Small (dry).
    • Sweetness when ripe.—Medium to high.
    • Firmness when ripe.—Firm.
    • Acidity when ripe.—Weak.
    • Storage quality.—Good, lasted 10 weeks at 2 degrees Celsius in tests. Not tested with modified atmosphere storage yet.
    • Suitability for mechanical harvesting.—Upright plant habit and very firm fruit firmness, strong blush and fruit shape suited to mechanical harvesting. Shake requirement and season compactness not yet tested.
    • Self-fruitfulness.—60% fruit set with own pollen in tests at Lindendale, NSW Australia.
    • Uses.—Fresh fruit for shipping, customer pick and processing markets and as a home garden plant.

SEED

• General:
  • • Seed abundance in fruit.—Abundant.
    • Seed color.—Greyed orange 174B.
    • Seed length.—1.6-1.8 mm.

COMPARISON BETWEEN PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS
Organ	Context	Ridley4514	Ridley 3402	Ridley 0501	C99-42	C00-008
Plant	vigour	Strong to very	strong	medium	medium to	strong
		strong			strong
Plant	growth habit	upright	semi-upright	upright to	semi-upright	semi-upright
				semi-upright
One-year-old	colour	green	green	green	green	green
shoot
One-year-old	length of	medium	medium	medium	medium	medium
shoot	internode
long to very	long to very	medium to long	medium to long	long	Tong	long
Leaf	length
medium to	medium to	medium to	broad to very
Leaf	width	broad	broad	broad	broad	broad
Leaf	shape	elliptic	elliptic	elliptic	elliptic	elliptic
Leaf	colour of upper	green	green	green	green	green
	side
Leaf	intensity of	medium	medium	light to medium	medium	dark
	green colour on
	upper side
Leaf	margin	entire	entire	entire	entire	entire
Flower bud	anthocyanin	weak	weak	weak	weak	weak
	coloration
Flower	shape of corolla	urceolate	urceolate	urceolate	urceolate	urceolate
Flower	size of corolla	medium	small to	medium	medium	medium
	tube		medium
Flower	anthocyanin	absent or very	absent or very	absent or very	weak to	absent or very
	colouration of	weak	weak	weak	medium	weak
	corolla tube
Flower	ridges on	present	present	present	present	present
	corolla tube
medium to
Fruit cluster	density	medium	medium	dense	dense	dense
Unripe fruit	intensity of	light	light	light	light	light
	green colour
Fruit	size	large to very	medium	medium	large	large
		large
Fruit	shape in	oblate	oblate	round	round	round
	longitudinal
	section
Fruit	attitude of	erect	erect	erect	erect	erect
	sepals
Fruit	diameter of	medium to	medium to	small to	medium	medium
	calyx basin	large	medium	large
Fruit	depth of calyx	medium to	deep to very	deep	deep	deep
	basin	deep	deep
Fruit	intensity of	weak to	strong	medium	medium	medium
	bloom	strong
Fruit	colour of skin	dark blue	dark blue	dark blue	dark blue	dark blue
Fruit	firmness	firm	soft to medium	medium to firm	medium	soft to medium
Fruit	sweetness	medium to high	medium to high	low to medium	medium	medium to high
Fruit	acidity	weak	medium to high	medium to high	low to medium	low
Time of	vegetative bud	late	medium	medium	early	medium
	burst
Time of	beginning of	early to	early	very early	medium	medium
	flowering	very early
Time of	beginning of	early to	early to	early to	medium	medium to late
	fruit ripening	early	medium	medium

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant named ‘Ridley 4514’, substantially as illustrated and described herein.