Patent Grant
PP34597
Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Rubus L. subgenus Rubus.
Variety denomination: ‘PS-BK3-17.006-13’.
The present invention relates to a new and distinct fall bearing blackberry plant designated as ‘PS-BK3-17.006-13’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made in 2017 in Watsonville, Calif. between blackberry variety ‘BK3 14.046-34’ (unpatented) as the female parent and blackberry variety ‘BK3 14.057-02’ (unpatented) as the male parent in an ongoing breeding program. The variety is botanically known as Rubus L. subgenus Rubus.
The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was asexually propagated by dormant canes in Santa Cruz County, Calif. and was subsequently selected by the inventor from a controlled breeding plot in Watsonville, Calif. in 2019. After its selection, the new variety was further asexually propagated by dormant canes, roots and non-dormant root shoot cuttings in Santa Cruz County, Calif., San Joaquin County, Calif. and Siskiyou County, Calif. The new variety was then extensively tested over the next several years in fruiting fields in Santa Cruz County, Calif. 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.
‘PS-BK3-17.006-13’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the central coast of California. This region provides the necessary year-round temperatures required for it to produce and maintain a strong vigorous plant and to remain in fruit production from August through December on primocanes and in the ensuing year from June through August on the floricanes. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘PS-BK3-17.006-13’, which in combination distinguish this blackberry plant as a new and distinct variety:
The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new blackberry variety, ‘PS-BK3-17.006-13’ at various stages of development as true as reasonably possible with color reproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describes the color of ‘PS-BK3-17.006-13’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new blackberry variety ‘PS-BK3-17.006-13’ were taken in Watsonville, Calif. and are approximately 2 to 16 months old:
‘PS-BK3-17.006-13’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety may vary in detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type, and location.
The aforementioned photographs, together with the following description of the new raspberry variety ‘PS-BK3-17.006-13’, unless otherwise noted, are based upon observations taken during the 2020-2021 growing season in Watsonville, Calif. Primocane measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘PS-BK3-17.006-13’ produced from a tissue culture lab located in Watsonville, Calif. during the summer of 2020 and planted out mid-December 2020 into trial plots in Watsonville, Calif. The approximate age of the observed primocane plants is 6 to 10 months. Floricane measurements and ratings were taken from the previous year's trial plots of ‘PS-BK3-17.006-13’ planted in mid-December of 2019 and were observed at an approximate age of 16 to 18 months. Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from three years of data collected from the 2019 through 2021 production seasons. Flower measurements and characteristics are from secondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruit characteristics and measurements are from secondary fruit unless otherwise noted. Foliage characteristics and measurements are from 5-foliate foliage unless otherwise noted.
Color terminology where noted follows The R.H.S. Colour Chart Sixth Edition (2019 Reprint), Royal Horticultural Society, London, United Kingdom (1966).
The following tables 3-7 describe fruit, plant, foliage, flower and pest/disease characteristics of the new blackberry ‘PS-BK3-17.006-13’.
‘PS-BK3-17.006-13’ differs from the proprietary female parent ‘BK3 14.046-34’ (unpatented) in that ‘PS-BK3-17.006-13’ has slightly larger, less narrowly oblong fruit shape, smaller drupelet size, a more upright plant habit and later fruit production.
‘PS-BK3-17.006-13’ differs from the proprietary male parent ‘BK3 14.057-02’ (unpatented) in that ‘PS-BK3-17.006-13’ has a less round fruit shape, glossier berries, sweeter flavor and a larger overall primocane yield.
‘PS-BK3-17.006-13’ differs from the commercial variety ‘APF-45’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,449) in that ‘PS-BK3-17.006-13’ has a smaller, less glossy berry with smaller seeds and sweeter flavor. ‘PS-BK3-17.006-13’ also has a slightly less upright habit, less overall vigor with both fewer and smaller thorns than ‘APF-45’.
For identification, a series of molecular markers have been determined for this new variety.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PP22449 | Clark | Jan 2012 | P3 |
| Entry |
|---|
| Trademark Electronic Search System for PRIME-ARK, retrieved on Jan. 20, 2022, retrieved from the Internet at https://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4805:2dh1r.3.15, 2 pp. (Year: 2022). |
