Capsicum annuum plant named ‘SLP2B322’

Abstract

A new Capsicum annuum plant named ‘SLP2B322’ distinguished by its combination of seedless fruits, a glossy and medium-dark red mature fruit colour, fruit diameter of about 3 to 3.5 cm, fruit weight of about 20 to 30 grams, and ability to set fruit under relatively hot conditions.

Description

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Capsicum annuum.

Varietal denomination: ‘SLP2B322’.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(f) from Netherlands Plant Variety Rights application No. PPS1433, filed Dec. 6, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Capsicum annuum, designated ‘SLP2B322’.

The new C. annuum ‘SLP2B322’ was discovered and selected as a single plant in Gedera, Israel in 2010, from the progeny of a cross between SC09-F4-33-b as the female parent (not patented) and AJ06-F3-378-19 as the male parent (not patented).

The new cultivar was first asexually propagated by root cuttings in Bet Dagan, Israel in February, 2010 and has been asexually propagated since that time by cutting and rooting in Gedera, Israel and Almeria, Spain. The distinctive characteristics of this new C. annuum are stable and reproduce true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

“SLP2B322” is a distinctive variety of C. annuum characterized by the following traits, which have been repeatedly observed and in combination distinguish ‘SLP2B322’ as a new and distinct C. annuum cultivar:

• • 1. Seedless fruits
  • 2. Glossy, medium-dark red mature fruit colour
  • 3. Fruit diameter of about 3 to 3.5 cm
  • 4. Fruit weight of about 20 to 30 grams.
  • 5. Ability to set fruit under relatively hot conditions (e.g., 30° C. to 35° C. during the day and 25° C. to 30° C. at night).

Essentially all of the fruits of cultivar ‘SLP2B322’ are completely seedless. However, in cases where ‘SLP2B322’ has been grown in the vicinity of a fertile variety, there are occasional fruits with seeds due to cross-pollination by insects transferring pollen from the fertile variety to ‘SLP2B322’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs show typical characteristics of the new cultivar.

FIG. 1 shows plants of cultivar ‘SLP2B322’ growing in a plastic greenhouse in Mivtahime, Israel. This image was taken in December 2012, five and one-half months after planting.

FIG. 2 shows mature fruits of cultivar ‘SLP2B322’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of C. annuum known as ‘SLP2B322’. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or younger plants. Further, ‘SLP2B322’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colours and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental and cultural conditions. Colour determinations are in accordance with the 2001 Edition of The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart. ‘SLP2B322’ is able to set fruit throughout the year when grown in a plastic greenhouse in southern Israel, including under cold (November to March) and hot (April to June) temperatures, although the set is reduced in July and August under these conditions.

A technical description of the variety is provided below in Table 1 based upon observations of 5-month-old plants grown under greenhouse conditions in Gedera, Israel during the Fall season.

TABLE 1
Characteristic                   Value
Short technical description      Bush-type plant, indeterminate
                                 growth habit, medium internodes,
                                 produces seedless fruit, good ability
                                 to set in relatively hot conditions
Method of reproduction           vegetatively propagated
Plant: length of stem (between the short-medium: 30
ground and first fruit) (cm)
Plant: shortened internodes      absent (indeterminate)
(in upper part)
Plant: number of internodes between none
1st flower and shortened internodes
(Varieties with shortened internodes
only)
Plant: length of internodes (on  medium: 5 to 15
primary side shoots)(varieties
without shortened internodes) (cm)
Plant: anthocyanin coloration of nodes present
Stem: Intensity of anthocyanin   medium-strong
coloration of nodes
Stem: hairiness of nodes         weak
Plant: vigor                     strong
Plant: height (cm)               compact: 200
Leaf: length of blade (cm)       medium: 17
Leaf: intensity of green colour  medium
Leaf: shape                      ovate
Leaf: blistering                 weak
Leaf: profile in cross section   moderately concave
Leaf: glossiness of upper leaf   very weak - weak
Leaf: Undulation of margin       medium
Leaf: width of blade (cm)        medium: 9
Flower: anthocyanin coloration in absent
anther
Peduncle: attitude               semi-drooping
Time of beginning of flowering (1st medium
flower on 2nd flowering node)
Fruit: colour (before maturity)  green
Fruit: intensity of colour       medium
(before maturity)
Fruit: anthocyanin coloration    absent
(before maturity)
Fruit: general impression        conical
Fruit: attitude                  horizontal
Fruit: length (cm)               short - medium: 6 to 9
Fruit: diameter (cm)             small: 3 to 3.5
Fruit: ratio length-diameter     medium: 2.35
Fruit: shape in longitudinal section triangular
Fruit: shape in cross section    circular
(at level of placenta)
Fruit: sinuation of pericarp at basal very weak
part
Fruit: sinuation of pericarp excluding absent or very weak
basal part
Fruit: texture of surface        smooth or very slightly wrinkled
Fruit: colour (at maturity)      red (RHS 32A, 42A & 43A)
Fruit: intensity of colour (at maturity) medium-dark
Fruit: glossiness                strong
Fruit: stalk cavity              absent
Fruit: depth of stalk cavity     very shallow
Fruit: shape of apex (PBR)       very acute
Fruit: depth of interloculary grooves very shallow
Fruit: number of locules         predominantly two
Fruit: thickness of flesh (mm)   thin: 2 to 3
Stalk: length (cm)               medium: 3.5 to 4.5
Fruit: capsaicin in placenta     absent
Stalk: thickness (mm)            medium: 3
Calyx: aspect                    non enveloping
Seed                             Absent
Time of maturity (from flowering to medium: 60 (summer); 90 (winter)
mature fruit) (days)
Ripening can be compared with:   KAPPY
Potato Virus Y pathotype 0       S
Potato Virus Y pathotype 1       Unknown
Potato Virus Y pathotype 2       Unknown
Tobamovirus pathotype P0         S
Tobamovirus pathotype P0, P1     S
Tobamovirus pathotype P0, P1, P1-2 S
Tobamovirus pathotype P0, P1,    S
P1-2, P1-2-3
Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus        S

These and other features and characteristics of cultivar ‘SLP2B322’ are apparent from FIGS. 1 and 2.

Comparisons with Other C. annuum Cultivars

‘SLP2B322’ is most similar to commercial C. annuum cultivar ‘SLP2B131’, which is also a seedless variety. As shown in Table 2, ‘SLP2B322’ can be distinguished from cultivar ‘SLP2B131’ (not patented) at least with respect to fruit diameter, fruit weight, mature fruit colour, and season for fruit setting.

TABLE 2
SLP2B322 has in comparison with:
	CHARACTERISTIC
	IN WHICH THE	STATE OF
DENOM-	COMPARISON	EXPRESSION
INATION OF	VARIETY IS	OF	STATE OF
COMPARISON	DIFFERENT	COMPARISON	EXPRESSION
VARIETY	FROM SLP2B322	VARIETY	OF SLB2B322
SLP2B131	Fruit diameter	2-3 cm	3-3.5 cm
SLP2B131	Fruit weight	20 to 30 g	10 to 20 g
SLP2B131	Mature fruit colour	Dark red	Medium-dark red
		(RHS 46A to	(RHS 32A,
		46B)	42A & 43A*)
SLP2B131	Fruit setting season	Late (moderate	Early (Can set
		temperatures	even in high
		needed for good	temperatures)
		set)
*The mature fruits of ‘SLB2B322’ are very glossy, whereas the color chips in the RHS colour chart are matte, making it more difficult to assign colour chart designations that correspond to the mature fruit colours. The colour of the mature fruits is described as accurately as reasonably possible given this limitation.

A comparison with the antecedent plants, SC09-F4-33-b and AJ06-F3-378-19, is shown below in Table 3. ‘SLP2B322’ can be distinguished from SC09-F4-33-b at least with respect to fruit size and mature fruit colour, and from AJ06-F3-378-19 at least with respect to mature fruit colour.

TABLE 3
SLP2B322 has in comparison with:
CHARACTERISTIC
IN WHICH THE
COMPARISON		STATE OF	STATE OF
VARIETY IS	STATE OF	EXPRESSION	EXPRESSION
DIFFERENT	EXPRESSION	OF	OF
FROM SLP2B322	OF SLB2B322	SC09-F4-33-b	AJ06-F3-378-19
Fruit length (cm)	6 to 9	4	8
Fruit diameter (cm)	3 to 3.5	3.5	3.5
Mature fruit colour	Medium-dark red	Dark red	Orange
	(RHS 32A,	(RHS 46A to	(RHS N30A &
	42A & 43A)	46B)	28A)

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Capsicum annuum plant named ‘SLP2B322’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.