Latin name: Vaccinium corymbosum.
Blueberries are a well-known fruit enjoyed by many throughout the world. One example of an existing, patented blueberry variety is ‘Springhigh’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,834. Another example of an existing, patented blueberry variety is ‘Star’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,675.
Compared to ‘Springhigh’, ‘BB07-249GA-3’ is more rounded, the leaves are shorter in length and not as wide, the berry weight is greater, the firmness is much greater, the date of 50% ripe fruit is 12 days earlier, and the date of 50% open flowers is 7 days before ‘Springhigh’. The leaf margins are entire while for ‘Springhigh’ the leaf margins are serrated.
Compared to ‘Star’, ‘BB07-249GA-3’ is more spreading, the berry size and weight are greater, the leaves are much longer and narrower, the berry firmness is greater, the Brix° level is much greater, the date of 50% ripe fruit is 21 days earlier and the date of 50% open flowers is 10 days earlier.
The present cultivar, ‘BB07-249GA-3’, 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 here in are largely from plants five years old grown in advanced selection plots in Interlachen, Fla., Manor, Ga., and Homerville, Ga. and observed between 2017 and 2019.
Cultivar Name: ‘BB07-249GA-3’.
Classification:
Family: Ericaceae.
Botanical name: Vaccinium corymbosum.
Common name: Blueberry.
Parentage:
FEMALE PARENT.
Name: ‘Gupton’.
USPP: Unpatented.
Compared to ‘Gupton’, ‘BB07-249GA-3’ is more spreading, the leaves are much longer in length and narrower in width, the berry color is darker, the date of 50% ripe fruit is 21 days earlier, the date of 50% open flowers is 30 days earlier and berry firmness is much greater. The leaf margins of ‘BB07-249GA-3’ are entire while the leaf margins for ‘Gupton’ are serrated.
MALE PARENT.
‘Sweetcrisp’.
U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,027.
Compared to ‘Sweetcrisp’, ‘BB07-249GA-3’ has a more spreading bush shape, the leaves are much longer in length, the date of 50% ripe fruit is 18 days earlier, the average berry weight is greater and the date of 50% open flowers is 21 days earlier.
‘BB07-249GA-3’ originated as a seedling selected from the cross of ‘Gupton’ (female) x ‘Sweetcrisp’ (male). The seed that gave rise to ‘BB07-249GA-3’ was produced by hand pollination in a greenhouse in Grand Junction, Mich. in 2007, grown for 18 months and shipped to Manor, Ga., where it was planted in an observation nursery in 2008. The plant was evaluated for 2 years and first selected in 2010, based on its excellent fruit and morphological characteristics; i.e. maturity date, bush habit, berry quality, flavor, and storage ability. The bush was given the designation ‘BB07-249GA-3’. ‘BB07-249GA-3’ was first asexually propagated by vegetative cuttings in Manor, Ga. in 2010 for additional plantings in 2011. Additional plants have since been propagated several times by softwood cuttings and tissue culture. Five plants were placed in advanced trials in 2011 in Manor, Ga. and 2015 in Interlachen, Fla. All of the propagated plants have retained the characteristics of the originally selected bush.
‘BB07-249GA-3’ was first asexually propagated by vegetative cuttings for additional plantings in 2010 in Manor, Ga. Micropropagation of ‘BB07-249GA-3’ by tissue culture was also first initiated in Middleton, Wis. in 2016. In all cases, the propagated plants have retained the original characteristics of the original selected plant. This variety roots readily from softwood cuttings as well as tissue-cultured microshoots.
All field observations were made in 2017, 2018, and 2019 on plants located in advanced trials in Manor, Ga. and Interlachen, Fla., from plants propagated from the original selected plant. Laboratory analysis of fruit characteristics were done at Grand Junction, Mich. in 2018.
General comments: ‘BB07-249GA-3’ is a new and distinct low chill tetraploid Southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium) variety consisting of primarily V. corymbosum, with a limited contribution of genes from V. ashei and V. darrowi. It is a very productive early maturing variety. It is characterized as having large fruit, medium blue in color and is very firm with a very small and dry picking scar. The fruit is well exposed on a vigorous slightly spreading bush. Along with a small sized crown, a loose fruit cluster, concentrated ripening and very firm fruit that is easily detachable, the variety displays characteristics suitable for mechanical harvest. It is intended for areas that successfully grow low chill Southern highbush varieties. Ripe fruit are very large, nearly 2.5 grams per berry. The mean date of 50% open flowers for ‘BB07-249GA-3’ in Manor, Ga. is January 25. Frost protection may be needed for successful pollination and fruit set. Winter chill requirement for successful flowering and leafing is at least 150 hours below 7° C. Flowers emerge a few days before leafing commences. The mean 50% ripening date for ‘BB07-249GA-3’ is about April 15 in Manor, Ga. The fruit shape is nearly round with a medium heavy amount of waxy bloom that is rather persistent following handling. It has excellent flavor, a balance of sweetness and acidity and is very juicy with a very crunchy texture. It has a medium long storage capability of 3 to 4 weeks or more in refrigeration with little decline in quality.
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.
Color measurements were taken with a SpectraMagic NX Model CR410, Konica Minolta, Japan.
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.
Device used to measure Soluble Solids (SS-Brix°), Titratable acidity (TA), pH: PAL-BX/Acid 7, Atago USA, Inc., Bellevue, Wash.