Patent Application
20150237783
Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Citrus reticulata/Citrus paradisi+Citrus grandis×Citrus sinensis+Poncirus trifoliata
Variety denomination: ‘UFR-5’
The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of citrus rootstock named ‘UFR-5’. The Plant Improvement Team in Lake Alfred, Fla. has pioneered the development and testing of allotetraploid citrus rootstocks. ‘UFR-5’ (identified as White #4 in field trials) is an allotetraploid zygotic hybrid derived from a conventional cross of two somatic hybrids previously produced by protoplast fusion. The somatic hybrid seed parent is ‘Nova’ mandarin hybrid+Hirado Buntan pummelo (zygotic seedling), and the somatic hybrid pollen parent is Succari sweet orange+Argentine trifoliate orange.
‘UFR-5’ was selected as a potential citrus rootstock on the basis of its positive reaction to Huanglongbing disease (HLB, or citrus greening disease) in multiple experimental field trials. Scion trees grafted onto this rootstock showed a reduced frequency of infection and reduced disease symptoms once infected when compared to other commercial diploid rootstocks. Although scion trees grafted onto ‘UFR-5’ grow off quickly, the trees remain small-medium in size, comparable to scion trees grafted onto Swingle citrumelo rootstock. Scion trees are small in size when grown on flatwoods soils. ‘UFR-5’ is seedy and polyembryonic, making it suitable for standard nursery propagation practices for uniform liner production. ‘UFR-5’ has shown tolerance to Diaprepes/Phytophthora complex in greenhouse tests (Grosser et al., 2003). ‘UFR-5’ produces high quality sweet orange fruit. Long-term performance of trees on this rootstock selection is unknown. Yield and fruit quality data is limited, but 3 years of data from young trees (the St. Helena project, see Table 1) indicates good productivity and fruit quality. Tolerance to citrus blight is also unknown, but under investigation. True-to typeness of UFR-5 through asexual reproduction was demonstrated by topworking a Swingle citrumelo rootstock in Osceola county, Florida. Seeds from this tree and the original tree are predominantly of nucellar origin and produce true-to-type seedlings.
‘UFR-5’ is illustrated by the accompanying photographs, which show the tree's form, foliage, and fruit. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of a tree approximately 11 years old. All figures were taken in the fall of 2013.
FIG. 1.—Shows a close-up of the nearly mature fruits with the rind and cross-sectional view of the fruit when cut in the center.
FIG. 2.—Shows the overall mature plant growth habit.
FIG. 3.—Shows nearly mature fruits hanging on the tree.
FIG. 4.—Shows a close-up of leaves and nearly mature fruits.
FIG. 5.—Shows a close-up of nearly mature fruits.
FIG. 6.—Shows a close-up of seeds from nearly mature fruit.
The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘UFR-5’. The colors (except those in common terms) are described from the R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society in London (second edition), in association with the Flower Council of Holland.
This application claims the benefit of United States Provisional Application No. 61/942,574, filed Feb. 20, 2014, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61942574 | Feb 2014 | US |
