Patent Application
20140109265
Blueberries are a well-known fruit enjoyed by many throughout the world. One example of an existing, patented blueberry variety is Star, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,675. Another example of an existing, patented blueberry variety is Rebel, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,138.
Compared to Star, the present cultivar, BB05-58GA-1, is 7-10 days earlier ripening; has much larger berry size and a flattened shape; is 3 weeks earlier to bloom; the fruit cluster is not as loose as Star; and, the leaves are larger and wider.
Compared to Rebel, the maturity of BB05-58GA-1 is 3-5 days earlier than Rebel; the bush shape is more upright and less spreading; the flowering is 2 weeks earlier; the leaves are dark green, larger, and more round; and, the fruit size is appreciably larger, shape is more flat.
The present cultivar, BB05-58GA-1, provides one or more advantages compared to these and/or other blueberry varieties.
Note: statements of characteristics herein represent exemplary observations of the cultivar herein and will vary depending on time of year, location, annual weather, etc. Where dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations and averages. The descriptions reported herein are largely from specimen plants grown near Manor, Ga. Data were obtained on plants that were 3 years old.
Cultivar Name: BB05-58GA-1.
Classification:
Botanical name: Vaccinium corymbosum
Common name: Blueberry
Parentage:
Name: Draper (Duke unpatented×G751 unpatented)
U.S. Plant Pat. No.: 15,103.
Compared to Draper, BB05-58GA-1 has a much lower chill requirement (800 vs. 400) and is adapted to a lower chill area production while Draper is not. BB05-58GA-1 produces more canes, has a later maturity difference of 6-8 weeks, has a larger berry with a more flattened shape, and has a more rounded larger leaf than Draper.
Emerald (FL91-69 unpatented×NC1528 unpatented).
U.S. Plant Pat. No.: 12,165.
Compared to Emerald, BB05-58GA-1 requires more chill hours (200 vs. 400), has 10 days later maturity, has a more concentrated ripening, and has flowers that are more bell-shaped. The bush shape of BB05-58GA-1 is more upright and the berry size is larger than Emerald.
BB05-58GA-1 was created from a cross made in 2005 in a South Haven, Mich., greenhouse. Seeds from the cross were sown and plants were grown for 1 year in Grand Junction, Mich. and then planted in a seedling evaluation plot in 2006 near Manor, Ga. The plant was first selected in the spring of 2007 based on improved and excellent fruit and morphological characteristics. The individual bush was evaluated in successive years through 2009, exhibiting an excellent performance of earliness, very large berry size, and very good fruit quality. Several multi-bush trials were established near Interlachen, Fla., Manor, Ga., Homerville, Ga., and Baxley, Ga. in 2011. Two 250 bush plots were established in 2011 near Manor, Ga. In all of these bushes and trials, the characteristics of the original selection have been retained.
BB05-58GA-1 was first asexually propagated by softwood cuttings in 2008 and rooted in Grand Junction and Manor, Ga., as well as in succeeding years. Several hundred plants have also been propagated by tissue culture. In all cases, the propagated plants have retained the original characteristics. The variety roots readily from softwood cuttings and tissue culture microshoots.
All field observations were made in Spring 2012 on 3-year old plants located in a trial near Manor, Ga., from plants propagated from the original bush selection. Laboratory analysis of fruit characteristics were done in Grand Junction, Mich.
General comments: BB05-58GA-1 is a new and distinct low chill tetraploid Southern highbush (Vaccinium) variety of complex ancestry, based largely on V. corymbosum with some genes from V. darrowii, V. angustifolium, V. tenellum and V. ashei. It is a very productive early season ripening variety with very large size, small and dry picking scar, very firm fruit, and high quality fresh market characteristics. It is intended for areas which successfully grow lower chill Southern highbush varieties. The fruit are very large, typically 3-4 grams each, and are well exposed on a vigorous medium upright bush with a medium-size crown. The date of 50% flowering in Southeast Georgia is about February 5. Winter chilling requirement for successful flowering and leafing is approximately 400 hours (<7° C.). Bush growth is vigorous. Flowering and leafing are synchronous. Frost protection may be needed for successful pollination and fruit set. Fruit are very large with ripening of 50% of the fruit usually by May 1 in Southeast Georgia. Fruit shape is oblate, color is medium blue with medium amounts of sugar and acidity and with a very crunchy and juicy texture. It has storage ability in refrigeration of 2 to 3 weeks. Thus, BB05-58GA-1 provides a very large fruit size and earliness of ripening season, and a very firm berry for such a large fruit with a crunchy, sweet texture and flavor.
References to color refer to The Pantone Book of Color, Eisemann and Herbert, Harry N. Abrams, Inc. Publishers, New York, ISBN 0-8109-3711-5, 1990.
No spectrographic device was used to take color readings.
Morphological characteristics reference: Plant Systematics, Jones and Luchsinger, 2 Ed., McGraw Hill, New York, ISBN 0-07-032796-3, 1986.
Firmness readings — BioWorks FirmTec2, Wamena, Kans.
