Patent Application
20110219496
Rubus ursinus
‘HJ-6’
The present invention relates to a new and distinct trailing blackberry variety designated as ‘HJ-6’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made by the inventors, Harold A. Johnson Jr. and Judith E. Johnson, in 2005 between the blackberry variety designated ‘Obsidian’ (female) and the blackberry variety designated ‘Eaton’ (male), both parental varieties unpatented. The variety ‘HJ-6’ is botanically known as Rubus ursinus.
The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was selected from a controlled breeding plot near Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, Calif. in 2007 by the inventors. After its selection, the new variety was further asexually propagated beginning in October of 2007 in Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, Calif. by tissue culture. The new variety was then tested in fruiting fields in Santa Cruz County, California. This propagation has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein as characterizing the new variety are fixed and remain true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.
‘HJ-6’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties in California, and is being tested in Ventura County, California, and in Europe. ‘HJ-6’ has reacted favorably to the coastal climates of northern coastal California, but for maximum fruit production, ‘HJ-6’ requires consistent soil moisture and adequate nutrition. ‘HJ-6’ reacts favorably to an environment created by plastic tunnels.
The following traits have been observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘HJ-6’, which in combination distinguish this blackberry plant as a new and distinct variety.
1. consistent production of large in size and good quality fruit, regardless of the time of year and the age of the plant;
2. large fruit size responds favorably to careful packing when shipped in 6 oz. clamshell baskets;
3. thorny and trailing plant structure; and
4. late spring fruit production, starting in June, with peak production in late June, and continued, limited production through July and August, when grown in Santa Cruz County, California.
When the new blackberry variety ‘HJ-6’ is compared to the female parental variety ‘Obsidian’, the following trait differences have been observed:
1. the peak fruit production of ‘HJ-6’ occurs later than ‘Obsidian’, but earlier than most erect types;
2. in holding testing after picking, the average flavor rating was the same, but HJ-6 rated higher in appearance than Obsidian after various days in cold storage;
3. HJ-6 has produced more commercial quality fruit in crates per acre than ‘Obsidian’, and a smaller percentage of non-commercial quality fruit per acre;
4. the average soluble solids concentration of Obsidian is 10.8, and HJ-6 is 9.3; and
5. the average seed size of HJ-6 is is 3.54 mm in length and 1.93 mm in width, and Obsidian is 3.52 mm in length and 1.93 mm in width.
The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new blackberry variety, ‘HJ-6’ as true as reasonably possible with color reproductions of this type.
The following description of ‘HJ-6’ unless otherwise noted, is based on observations taken during the 2008 and 2009 growing seasons in Santa Cruz County, California. The phenotypical descriptions and color designations stated for the new variety may vary, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type, location and cultural conditions. ‘HJ-6’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions.
Table 1 provides a botanical comparison of ‘HJ-6’ to the following two (2) unpatented, commercially grown varieties in Santa Cruz County, California: (1) ‘Obsidian’, a trailing, semi-erect, thorny and early ripening variety (female parental variety), and (2) ‘Chester Thornless’, an erect, thornless, and late ripening variety.
When color is identified, the Munsell Book of Color (March 1976) is used.
Yield−crates/acre(crate=4.5 lb)
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/311,466 filed Mar. 8, 2010, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61311466 | Mar 2010 | US |
