Patent Grant
PP20327
Botanical/commercial classification: (Citrus L.), new mandarin variety.
Variety denomination: ‘African Sunset’.
African Sunset is a hybrid of an unpatented Citrus reticulata variety Ellendale (the pollen parent) and an unpatented mandarin hybrid variety Robin (the seed parent). In 1980, pollen from ‘Robin’ (unpatented) was applied by hand to the stigmas of ‘Ellendale’ (unpatented). The resulting fruits were collected in June 1981 where after seeds from each fruit were extracted and irradiated and thereafter planted in 1982. The resulting 73 seedlings were transplanted to a breeding orchard situated at Addo, in the Eastern Cape province of the Republic of South Africa (global positioning satellite co-ordinates 25°42′E; 33°34′S). These seedlings were not grafted and were grown on their own roots. Due to the so-called juvenility phenomenon in citrus trees as is known in the art, trees resulting from these transplanted seedlings only bore fruit in 1992. These trees were then evaluated for fruit quality traits. Based on the results of this evaluation, six of the aforementioned trees were selected for further evaluation, of which one of these selections resulted in the present ‘African Sunset’ variety. Thereafter ‘African Sunset’ was made subject of a South African Plant Breeders' Rights application in January 2000. This application was granted in 2004 under number ZA 20043212.
Some fruit splitting of the variety does occur in March/April. Trees are alternate-bearing and fruit size may be unacceptably large without manipulation. Additionally, fruit from young trees (3 to 4 years) are normally coarse and prone to granulation.
‘African Sunset’ was first asexually propagated in Addo, South Africa in 1995 when buds were collected from a hybrid seedling designated X83-2505/3, and then budded onto ‘Carizzo citrange’ rootstocks. Ten trees of ‘African Sunset’ were planted in the field in September 1996 for description purposes. All characteristics of the original tree and its fruit as determined and described appear to be transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations. While ‘African Sunset’ has been propagated and grown on ‘Carizzo citrange’ rootstock, no incompatibility or other rootstock related problems have been observed. The mother tree is growing on its own roots and is currently (2008) 24 years old. Although the tree condition is beginning to decline, the fruit quality is and always has been good.
‘African Sunset’ has been cleansed of all viruses and viroids by shoot-tip grafting (STG), followed by immunisation with Citrus tristeza virus LMS6. This was done through a regulated process, which involves taking vegetative buds from the mother tree and introducing same into the South African Citrus Improvement Scheme. In this process, plant material is shoot-tip grafted to provide a virus-free source of bud wood material. Material so obtained is then pre-immunized with a mild strain of the aforementioned Citrus tristeza virus, followed by a certification by the Citrus Foundation Block.
The applicant is aware of U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,289 ('289). The present variety is distinguishable over '289 in that, inter alia, not only is the present variety diploid whereas '289 is triploid, but also the respective rind colors differ.
In this specification, all major color code designations are made with reference to the R.H.S. Color Chart (1986) as provided by the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.
This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of mandarin (Citrus reticulata), presently named ‘African Sunset’, the novel characteristics of which, under the local evaluation conditions, reside particularly in the early onset of maturity of the fruit (mid-late June) as opposed to July/August when compared to ‘Ellendale’ (unpatented). In addition to the above, a further novel and distinctive feature of ‘African Sunset’, as compared to ‘Ellendale’ (unpatented), include a more pebbled rind and a lower acid content, and is almost seedless, even in mixed blocks.
FIG. 1: is a photograph showing an entire tree;
FIG. 2(a): is a photograph showing a first perspective of the stem;
FIG. 2(b): is a photograph showing a second perspective of the stem;
FIG. 3: is a photograph showing details of the fruit: viewed from the side, apex, base and including a cross section through the fruit, illustrating the obloid shape of the fruit as well as its size and color of the rind;
FIG. 4: is a close-up photograph showing several leaves of ‘African Sunset’, illustrating the sizes and shapes of the leaves, including the venation thereof;
FIG. 5: is a photograph showing inflorescence; and
FIG. 6: is a schematic illustration of the pedigree of ‘African Sunset’.
The below detailed botanical description of ‘African Sunset’ is based on 4 to 6, and 11 year old trees, unless otherwise specifically stated to the contrary.
Table 1: ‘African Sunset’ Selections: Average of Internal Quality Tests 2001 to 2006—Addo, South Africa
Table 2: Internal Quality Tests (trees planted in 1984):
Table 3: African Sunset yields 2001 to 2006 at Addo, South Africa.
The fruit of ‘African Sunset’ is intended for consumption. Fruit stored and shipped at 4° C. and kept under these conditions, are likely to keep for up to 6 weeks.
The above described new variety of Mandarin displays an early onset of maturity of the fruit (mid-late June) and a more pebbled rind and a lower acid content as compared to known varieties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20090138999 P1 | May 2009 | US |
