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 Sweetcrisp, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,027.
Compared to Star, the maturity of the present cultivar, BB06-540FL-12, is 21-25 days earlier. The bush shape is very erect as compared to Star. In addition, in BB06-540FL-12 new fruiting wood, petioles are light pink colored early in the season. BB06-540FL-12 produces fruit that is slightly larger and more round in shape than Star.
Compared to Sweetcrisp, the maturity of BB06-540FL-12 is earlier by 18-21 days. BB06-540FL-12 has a slightly smaller and less firm berry, a more upright bush shape, and a more concentrated harvest.
The present cultivar, BB06-540FL-12, provides one or more advantages compared to these and/or other blueberry varieties, such as very early season ripening variety with high quality fresh market characteristics.
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 Interlachen, Fla. Data were obtained on plants that were 6 years old.
Cultivar Name: BB06-540FL-12.
Classification:
Parentage:
Name: Sapphire (parents unknown).
U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,829.
Compared to Sapphire, BB06-540FL-12 has a more round berry shape, a lighter blue color of ripened berries, and matures 2 weeks earlier. BB06-540FL-12 also has a more erect bush shape, and leaves and flowers of BB06-540FL-12 appear to have better cold tolerance.
Name: Snowchaser (FL95-57 unpatented×FL89-119 unpatented).
U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,503.
Compared to Snowchaser, BB06-540FL-12 has a more upright bush shape, and leafs at the time of flowering. BB06-540FL-12 also has a slightly larger berry that maintains uniformity of size through harvest, and the leaves, flowers, and fruit of BB06-540FL-12 appear to have better frost tolerance.
BB06-540FL-12 was first asexually propagated by softwood cuttings. For example, softwood cuttings of this variety were first taken and rooted in 2008 in Grand Junction, Mich., and have been propagated several times since in succeeding years. All propagated plants have retained the original characteristics. Softwood cuttings and microshoots from tissue culture root readily, but using young shoots for cuttings results in higher rooting percentages.
Field observations were made in Spring 2012 on a 6-year old individual plant located in a seedling plot near Interlachen, Fla. Laboratory analysis of fruit characteristics were done in Grand Junction, Mich.
General comments: BB06-540FL-12 is a new and distinct low chill tetraploid, as illustrated and described, Southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium) variety based largely on V. darrowii. It is a productive, very early season ripening variety with high quality fresh market characteristics. It is intended for areas which successfully grow lower chill Southern highbush varieties. BB06-540FL-12 provides well-exposed fruit, an upright bush with a small crown, concentrated ripening, firm fruit and easy detachment. This variety is suitable for mechanical harvesting. Winter chilling requirements for successful flowering and leafing are approximately 200 hours (<7° C.). Plants of BB06-540FL-12 are upright with growth of primary canes and laterals. Flowering and leafing are synchronous, and it can be evergreen in warmer climates. This variety does display a tendency to produce a small percentage of fall and early winter blooms. Flowering is early (northern Florida) and may often require frost protection for successful pollination. Plant vigor is good and doesn't appear to be overly susceptible to foliar and soil diseases if normal horticultural practices are followed. Its berries are well exposed, large in size, nearly round in shape, with a small dry picking scar. It has an attractive blue color with medium amount of bloom, which is modestly maintained during handling. The flavor is very good with a balance of high sweetness levels and medium acidity. Berries have a crunchy and juicy texture with medium storage ability of 2 to 3 weeks. Thus, BB06-540FL-12 provides a very early maturing, very glossy thick leaves, some higher cold tolerance, roundish firm berry with excellent eating qualities, very sweet, and flavorful fruit.
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.
The Device used to take color readings was a SpectraMagic NX Model CR410, Konica Minolta, Japan.
Morphological characteristics reference: Plant Systematics, Jones and Luchsinger, 2 Ed., McGraw Hill, N.Y., ISBN 0-07-032796-3, 1986.
Firmness readings—BioWorks FirmTec2, Wamena, Kans.