A new hybrid mandarin tree particularly distinguished by producing seedless tangerine fruit from October to December in Central Florida is disclosed.

Patent
   PP29091
Priority
Sep 28 2015
Filed
Sep 28 2015
Issued
Mar 13 2018
Expiry
Nov 28 2035
Extension
61 days
Assg.orig
Entity
unknown
2
3
n/a
1. A new and distinct citrus rootstock cultivar as illustrated and described herein.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Citrus reticulata Blanco hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘N40W-6-3’.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct, nearly seedless variety of hybrid mandarin (tangerine) for the fresh citrus market named ‘N40W-6-3’. ‘N40W-6-3’ was selected from a population of 50 plants grown from irradiated budwood (cobalt 60, Vindicator Co., Mulberry, Fla.) from ‘Snack’ (unpatented), a seedy mandarin hybrid of unknown parentage. Irradiation treatment of budwood is known to induce mutations that, in rare instances, cause a permanent genetic change in a variety to greatly reduce or eliminate seed in fruit, without otherwise altering the integrity of the variety. ‘N40W-6-3’ was first asexually propagated by grafting to experimental rootstock Orange #14 (unpatented) and planted in Lake Alfred, Fla., in 2011. Asexually propagated trees of ‘N40W-6-3’ have remained true-to-type to the original selection through successive generations.

‘N40W-6-3’ produces small to medium seedless (or nearly seedless) fruit with a unique and robust sweet flavor, and should compete favorably with the ‘Fall-Glo’ (unpatented), a mandarin hybrid in the fall fresh mandarin market. ‘N40W-6-3’ is distinct from ‘Fall-Glo’ in a number of ways, including, but not limited to, the following:

‘N40W-6-3’ harvest can begin in October, but the fruit reaches maximum flavor and quality around the last two weeks of November. Fruit of ‘N40W-6-3’ can be peeled, however it should not be considered a zipper-skinned tangerine selection. Fresh juice obtained from fruit of ‘N40W-6-3’ also has outstanding flavor, but fruit quality data is only available from trees grown on ‘Swingle’ (unpatented) citrumelo rootstock. The exceptional juice flavor did not hold up during processing. A portion of the first-year crop can exhibit a rougher rind and lower juice content, although this diminishes with subsequent crops. ‘N40W-6-3’ makes a small compact tree when grown on ‘Swingle’ citrumelo rootstock. Trees appear to yield adequately, although no formal yield data is available at this time. Fruit size is generally smaller with heavy crops.

‘N40W-6-3’ is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the plant's form, foliage, and fruit. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Tree and leaf photographs were taken in November of 2010, and fruit photographs were taken in January of 2011.

FIG. 1—Shows whole and cut fruit of ‘N40W-6-3’.

FIG. 2—Shows an approximately 8-year-old tree of ‘N40W-6-3’, showing plant habit, including foliage and fall fruit.

FIG. 3—Shows a close-up of ‘N40W-6-3’ twigs and mature leaves from an approximately 8-year-old tree.

FIG. 4—Shows mature fruit of ‘N40W-6-3’ demonstrating typical rind color and shape.

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘N40W-6-3’. The present botanical description is that of the variety grown on 7-year-old trees growing on ‘Swingle’ rootstock in Lake Alfred, Fla. The colors (except those in common terms) are described from The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart (second edition) published by The Royal Horticultural Society in London in association with the Flower Council of Holland.

Grosser, Jude W.

Patent Priority Assignee Title
ER4886,
ER9748,
Patent Priority Assignee Title
PP21356, Nov 17 2008 FLORIDA FOUNDATION SEED PRODUCERS, INC Mandarin tree named ‘LB8-9’
PP23724, Aug 24 2010 The United States of America, as represented by The Secretary of Agriculture Mandarin tree named ‘US Early Pride’
PP26086, Aug 07 2013 FLORIDA FOUNDATION SEED PRODUCERS, INC Mandarin tree named ‘C4-15-19’
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Executed onAssignorAssigneeConveyanceFrameReelDoc
Sep 28 2015Florida Foundation Seed Producers, Inc.(assignment on the face of the patent)
Oct 21 2015GROSSER, JUDE W FLORIDA FOUNDATION SEED PRODUCERS, INCASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS 0369130296 pdf
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