Lemon tree named ‘Code 3X97’

Abstract

‘Code 3X97’ is a new and distinct lemon tree notable for its high quality seedless fruit.

Description

Genus and species: Citrus limon.

Variety denomination: ‘Code 3X97’.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new lemon variety ‘Code 3X97’ originated as an induced mutation of ‘Eureka’ lemon (not patented). Gamma irradiation from a Gammacell 200 (60C) source was applied to bud sticks of ‘Eureka’ in 1998 at Emerald, Queensland, Australia. The irradiated bud sticks were budded onto ‘Carrizo’ rootstock (not patented) in 1998 at Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia, and the trees that survived were field planted at Bundaberg in 1999. The selection now known as ‘Code 3X97’ was identified as showing consistently fewer seeds than the parent variety, with no significant reduction in fruit size. A comparative trial was planted in 2003, using ‘Code 3X97’ budwood on ‘Benton’ (not patented) rootstock. Successive generations have consistently shown few seeds and have reproduced true to type.

‘Code 3X97’ is a new and distinct lemon tree notable for its fruit, which produces consistently low numbers of seeds. Table 1 shows a comparison of ‘Code 3X97’ lemon to ‘Eureka’ and other similar (unpatented) varieties.

TABLE 1
Comparison of ‘Code 3X97’ to Known Varieties
Characteristic	‘Code 3X97’	‘3 ELS 0’	‘Eureka’
Seed quantity	Absent to	Absent to	Many
	few	few
Mean fruit length (mm)	76.88	74.56	84.76
Mean fruit diameter (mm)	54.52	57.16	62.84
Fruit length/diameter ratio	1.41	1.31	1.35
Rind thickness (mm)	4.32	4.48	5.24

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

FIG. 1 shows whole and sectioned fruit of ‘Code 3X97’ lemon and other varieties;

FIG. 2 shows a ‘Code 3X97’ lemon tree; and,

FIG. 3 shows the trunk and branches of a ‘Code 3X97’ lemon tree.

The tree shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is an eleven year old tree planted in 2003. Because lighting conditions can affect the colors shown in photographic illustrations, color characteristics of this new variety should be determined with reference to the observations described herein, rather than from the illustrations alone.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed botanical description is based on observations of trees and fruit of ‘Code 3X97’, budded to ‘Benton’ rootstock (not patented) and planted in 2003. Observations were recorded and photographs taken during the 2006 and 2014 growing seasons at Mundubbera, Queensland, Australia. It should be understood that the characteristics described will vary somewhat depending upon cultural practices and climatic conditions, and can vary with location and season. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average of measurements taken from a number of individual plants of the new variety. The measurements of any individual plant, or any group of plants, of the new variety may vary from the stated average. Colors are described with reference to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (5^th edition, 2007).

Tree:
Vigor                       Vigorous
Density of canopy           Open center
Habit                       Upright spreading
Height                      4 m
Spread                      3 m
Trunk diameter (at 30 cm    138 mm
above graft)
Bark texture                Smooth
Bark color                  Greyed-orange 163D, greyed-purple N187A
Lenticel size               1 mm
Lenticel color              Greyed-purple N187A
Lenticel quantity           Many, 2 to 4 per cm2
Tendency toward alternate   None
bearing
Winter hardiness            Same as ‘Eureka’, performs well in USDA
                            hardiness zones 9 and 10
Chilling requirement        Same as ‘Eureka’, no chilling requirement
Branch (fruiting branch
located about 1 m above
graft union):
Length                      80 cm
Diameter                    5.4 cm
Crotch angle                Approximately 30 degrees
Bark color                  Greyed-orange 163D, greyed-purple
                            N187A
Bark texture                Smooth
Thorns                      Present on new growth
Thorn length                Small, 8 to 10 mm
Current year shoot
Length                      87 cm
Color Green 140A Blossoms
Bud shape                   Oval
Bud length                  2.1 mm
Bud diameter                1 mm
Bud color                   Yellow-green 144A
Quantity of blossoms        4 to 7
per cluster
Blossom diameter            21 mm
Blossom depth               18 mm
Pollen                      None
Sepal length                4.6 mm
Sepal width                 4.5 mm
Sepal shape                 Arched
Sepal margin                Smooth
Sepal color - upper surface Yellow 2B
Sepal color - lower surface Yellow 3B
Quantity of petals per      4
flower
Petal shape                 Elongated arch
Petal apex                  Rounded to acute
Petal margin                Smooth
Petal length                16 mm
Petal width                 5 mm
Petal color - upper surface White NN155D
Petal color - lower surface White NN155D, violet 84D
Date of first bloom         Late August
Date of full bloom          Early September
Flowering habit             More than once in a season, up to
                            7 flowerings observed
Date of first fruitlet fall November
Pedicel length              4.7 mm
Pedicel diameter            1.6 mm
Pedicel color               Yellow-green 151C
Pistil quantity per flower  1
Pistil length               11.6 mm
Pistil color                Orange 26A, yellow 9A, yellow-
                            green 144A
Anther quantity per flower  1
Anther length               2.7 mm
Anther color                Orange 26A
Stigma quantity per flower  1
Stigma length               1.8 mm
Stigma color                Yellow 9A
Style quantity per flower   1
Style length                6.4 mm
Style color                 Yellow 1B
Ovary quantity per flower   1
Ovary length                4.4 mm
Ovary diameter              2.5 mm
Ovary color                 Yellow-green 144A
Leaves
Length                      104.4 mm
Width                       56.2 mm
Length/width ratio          1.85
Blade margin                Crenate
Leaf shape                  Oval, weak concave
Apex shape                  Acute
Base shape                  Cuneate
Color of upper surface      Green 143B
Color of lower surface      Yellow-green 145A
Anthocyanin coloration      Weak, less intense than ‘Eureka’
in young leaf
Leaf texture (upper         Smooth
surface)
Petiole length              12.4 mm
Petiole diameter            2.9 mm
Petiole color               Yellow-green N144D
Wings                       None
Fruit
Quantity per cluster        4
Axial diameter              80.48 mm
Apical diameter             59.88 mm
Weight                      151 g
General shape in profile    Oval
Position of maximum         Middle of fruit
diameter
Navel                       None
Neck                        Present, very short
Nipple                      Present, weak to medium prominence
Rind color                  Green 140E3
Glossiness                  Weak
Oil glands per cm2          About 40
Oil gland diameter          1 mm
Oiliness                    Oily
Rind thickness              4.32 mm
Ease of peeling             Difficult
Rind texture                Smooth
Albedo thickness            3 mm
Albedo color                Yellow 2C
Quantity of fruit seg-      7.7 (average of 25 fruit)
ments per fruit
Toughness of segment        Moderate
membrane
Juice sac length            7 mm
Juice sac shape             Cylinder
Juice sac length to         7:1.3
width ratio
Juice sac color             Yellow 2C
Flesh color                 Yellow 2C
Juice soluble solids        7.9
(° Brix)
Relative harvest maturity   Early
Harvest window              January through December
(date range)
Seeds present               None or very few
Stem length                 20 mm
Stem diameter               4 mm
Stem color                  Yellow-green 144B
Parthenocarpy               Absent
Diseases and pests          No distinguishing resistance or
                            susceptibility noted
Harvest yield:              50 to 100 Tons per hectare
Market use:                 Fresh
Keeping quality:            Same as ‘Eureka’
Shipping quality:           Same as ‘Eureka’

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of lemon tree, substantially as illustrated and described herein.