Patent Grant
PP31257
Latin name: Vaccinium corymbosum.
Common name: Blueberry.
Cultivar name: ‘BB06-426MI-84’.
Blueberries are a well-known fruit enjoyed by many throughout the world. One example of an existing commercial blueberry variety is ‘Duke’, unpatented. Another example of an existing, patented blueberry variety is ‘Draper’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,103.
Comparing ‘BB06-426MI-84’ to ‘Duke’, the bush habit of ‘BB06-426MI-84’ is more upright, the fruit of ‘BB06-426MI-84’ is slightly darker in color, the maturity of ‘BB06-426MI-84’ is 5 days later than Duke and the mature leaves of ‘BB06-426MI-84’ are much darker in color.
Comparing ‘BB06-426MI-84’ to ‘Draper’, the bush habit of ‘BB06-426MI-84’ is more upright, the berry size and weight of ‘BB06-426MI-84’ are slightly less and the time of maturity of ‘BB06-426MI-84’ is 10 days earlier.
The present cultivar, ‘BB06-426MI-84’, 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 based on field observations made in 2018 in advanced trial plantings on mature 6-year old bushes in Grand Junction, Mich. and 4-year old bushes in Hammonton, N.J. Laboratory analysis of fruit characteristics were done in Grand Junction, Mich. The bushes in the advanced trials were propagated from the original mother bush selected near Grand Junction, Mich., and all progeny have retained the characteristics of the original selection.
Cultivar name: ‘BB06-426MI-84’.
Classification:
Parentage:
Female Parent
Name ‘Draper’ (child of ‘Duke’ (unpatented) x ‘G 751’ (unpatented)).
U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,103.
Compared to ‘Draper’, the bush habit of ‘BB06-426MI-84’ is more upright, the berry size and weight are slightly less than ‘Draper’, the time of maturity of ‘BB06-426MI-84’ is 10 days earlier and the time of flowering of ‘BB06-426MI-84’ is 10 days earlier.
Male Parent
Name: ‘Bluecrop’ (unpatented) (child of ‘GM-37’ x ‘CU7’, both unpatented).
United States Plant Patent: none.
Compared to ‘Bluecrop’, ‘BB06-426MI-84’ has a much more upright bush shape than ‘Bluecrop’. The berries of ‘BB06-426MI-84’ are rounder, larger, much firmer and much less acidic than the berries of ‘Bluecrop’. “The 50% ripening date is 5 days earlier and its mature leaves are much darker in color than those of ‘Bluecrop’.
The cross between ‘Draper’ and ‘Bluecrop’ was made in a greenhouse in Holland, Mich. in 2006. Emasculated flowers of ‘Draper’ were hand pollinated with pollen from ‘Bluecrop’. Seed was sown, germinated, and the plants were grown for 18 months in Grand Junction, Mich. and then planted in a seedling evaluation plot near Grand Junction, Mich. in 2008. The plant was evaluated for 4 years and first selected in 2012, based on its excellent fruit and morphological characteristics including maturity date, bush habit, berry quality, flavor, and storage ability. The bush was given the name ‘BB06-426MI-84’. The bush was dug from the trial field in October 2012 and transplanted into a pot and placed in a virus-free screened greenhouse. Additional plants have been propagated by softwood cuttings and tissue culture. Five and ten bush advanced trials were planted in Grand Junction, Muskegon, Mich. and Hammonton, N.J. All of the plants propagated have retained the original characteristics.
Plants from vegetative softwood cuttings of ‘BB06-426MI-84’ were first propagated in 2011 in Grand Junction, Mich., and several times since as needed. Micropropagation by tissue culture was first initiated in 2013. In all cases, the propagated plants from softwood cuttings and tissue culture have retained the original characteristics. ‘BB06-426MI-84’ roots readily from softwood cuttings and tissue culture microshoots.
General description: ‘BB06-426MI-84’ is a new and distinct high chill tetraploid Northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium) variety consisting of primarily V. corymbosum, with a limited contribution of genes from V. angustifolium and V. darrowii. It is a productive early-midseason maturing variety”. ‘BB06-426MI-84’ is characterized as having large fruit, medium blue in color, firm with a very small and dry pedicel scar. The fruit is well exposed on a vigorously growing medium upright bush. Along with a small sized crown, a loose fruit cluster, concentrated ripening, and firm fruit that is easily detachable, ‘BB06-426MI-84’ displays characteristics suitable for mechanical harvest. ‘BB06-426MI-84’ is intended for areas that successfully grow high chill Northern highbush varieties. Ripe fruit are large, nearly 2.5 grams/berry. The mean start date of flowering for ‘BB06-426MI-84’ in southern Michigan is April 28. Frost protection may be needed for successful pollination and fruit set. Winter chill requirement for successful flowering and leafing is at least 1000 hours below 7° C. Leaves emerge a few days before flowering commences. The mean ripening date for ‘BB06-426MI-84’ is about July 10 in Grand Junction, Mich. The fruit shape of ‘BB06-426MI-84’ is oblate with a medium amount of waxy bloom that is moderately persistent following handling. Such fruit has very good flavor with a balance of sweetness and acidity and is very juicy with a medium crunchy texture. The fruit of ‘BB06-426MI-84’ has a medium storage capability of 3 weeks in refrigeration with little decay.
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.
Morphological characteristics reference: Plant Systematics, Jones and Luchsinger, 2 Ed., McGraw Hill, New York, ISBN 0-07-032796-3, 1986.
Device used to measure Soluble Solids (SS-Brix°, Titratable acidity (TA), pH: PAL-BX/Acid 7, Atago USA, Inc., Bellevue, Wash.
Firmness readings—BioWorks FirmTec2, Wamena, Kans.
