The present application claims priority from the New Zealand Plant Variety Rights Application Serial No. FEI011, which was filed on Jun. 27, 2007.
The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of feijoa ‘Acca sellowiana’ and more specifically to a feijoa variety which produces fruit for harvesting in the very early season, that is, from at least about 11 Apr. 2008 under the ecological conditions prevailing near Nelson, New Zealand.
It has long been recognized that it would be desirable to provide a feijoa variety that bears a crop earlier in the season than those varieties that it is most closely similar to, and under the ecological conditions prevailing near Nelson, New Zealand. In this regard, several well known and popular feijoa varieties are harvested in both the early and late seasons near Nelson, New Zealand. However, their respective fruit sizes are relatively small, on average, when compared to the large fruit size produced by the present variety of feijoa. More specifically, the variety of feijoa identified by the varietal name ‘Opal Star’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,825) is characterized by producing relatively small fruit (about 85 grams) during the late season, that is, from about 16 May 2008 under the ecological conditions prevailing near Nelson, New Zealand. Still further, the variety ‘Apollo’ (unpatented), produces an average sized fruit weighing about 100 grams, and which is ripe for harvesting about 18 Apr. 2008 under the same ecological conditions. Still further, the unpatented variety ‘Triumph’ produces a small fruit (about 85 grams) and which is ripe for harvesting about 18 Apr 2008 under the same ecological conditions. Still further, the unpatented variety ‘Triumph’ produces a small fruit (about 85 grams), and which is ripe for harvesting about 23 May 2008 under the same ecological conditions. Yet further, the variety ‘Unique’ (unpatented) also produces a small fruit (about 85 grams), and which is ripe in the early season for harvesting, that is, on or about 18 Apr. 2008 under the conditions prevailing near Nelson, New Zealand. Moreover, the present variety is similar in some respects to the feijoa variety ‘Kaiteri’ (US patent pending, Serial Number yiet to be assigned), and which is ripe for harvesting in the very early season, that is, from on or about 4 Apr. 2008 near Nelson, New Zealand. Still further, the new variety is somewhat similar to the variety ‘Kakariki’ (US patent pending, Serial Number yet to be assigned), and which produces a large fruit (about 125 grams) in the very early season from about 28 Mar. 2008 under the ecological conditions prevailing near Nelson, New Zealand. In contrast, the present variety is distinguishable therefrom, and characterized as to novelty by producing a large fruit (about 110 grams) in the very early season, that is, from at least about 11 Apr. 2008 under the ecological conditions prevailing near Nelson, New Zealand. In view of it's early harvesting date and large size, the present variety provides a degree of commercial and consumer appeal not present with other known varieties.
The present variety of feijoa was derived fron a selective cross pollination of the unpatented feijoa variety ‘Apollo’ and an unnamed seedling which was conducted in the cultivated area of the Applicant's farm during the 2004 growing season. The present variety ‘Anatoki’ was first asexually propagated from cuttings taken from this first asexually reproduced plant. Subsequent thereto, it has been established that the asexually reproduced plants derived from these cuttings are true over successive generations. The present variety is unique and novel as to other varieties it is most closely similar to, by producing a large sized fruit having an average weight of about 110 grams, and which is ripe for harvesting and shipment on or about 11 Apr. 2008 under the ecological conditions prevailing near Nelson, New Zealand.
The accompanying drawings which are provided are color photographs of the new variety of feijoa. The colors in these photographs are as nearly true as is reasonably possible on a color representation of this type. Due to chemical development, processing, and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual specimen. For this reason, future color references should be made to the color plates as provided by The Royal Horticulture Society Colour Charts (1995 Edition).
The following detailed description has been prepared to solely comply with the provisions of 35 USC §112, and does not constitute a commercial warranty (either expressed or implied), that the present variety will, in the future, display the botanical or other varietal characteristics as set forth in this application. Therefore, this disclosure may not be relied upon to support any future legal claims, which include, but are not limited to breach of warranty of merchantability, fitness for any particular purpose, or non-infringement which is directed in whole, or in part, to the present variety.
Although the new variety of feijoa possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing at or near Nelson, New Zealand, it is to be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning and pest control are to be expected.