Genus and species: Rubus idaeus L.
Variety denominations: ‘Simona’.
BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT ‘SIMONA’
The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Raspberry, botanically known as Rubus idaeus L, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘Simona’. ‘Simona’ originated from seed of a fruit from an unknown female and an unknown male plant. The seed was found in October 2018 in Applicant's fruit sorting and processing facility in Tarquejo, Huelva, Spain.
In October 2018, seed from the fruit found at Applicant's facility was planted. In October 2018 a plant was selected and named ‘Simona’. ‘Simona’ was first vegetatively propagated by vegetative cuttings in Tarquejo, Huelva, Spain.
SUMMARY OF ‘SIMONA’
The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of ‘Simona’ when grown under normal horticultural practices in Tarquejo, Huelva, Spain.
- 1. Large fruit for use in fresh market;
- 2. Primocane variety with two types of crop possibilities, winter production or classical two crops system; and
- 3. Fruit with sweet flavour.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS
This new raspberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs from October 2023 of plants grown in Tarquejo, Huelva, Spain. The plants are six months old and grown in a hydroponic system. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.
FIG. 1 shows a whole plant of ‘Simona’ showing foliage, buds, fruit and flowers.
FIG. 2 shows the leaves of ‘Simona’.
FIG. 3 shows the buds of ‘Simona’.
FIG. 4 shows the fruit of ‘Simona’.
DESCRIPTION OF ‘SIMONA’
The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘Simona’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Tariquejo, Huelva, Spain. Data was collected in 2022-2023 on 6-month old plants grown in a greenhouse in a hydroponic system. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), 6th edition (2015, reprint 2019).
- Classification:
- Family.—Rosaceae.
- Botanical.—Rubus idaeus L.
- Common.—Raspberry.
- Designation.—‘Simona’.
- Plant:
- Height.—200 cm.
- Width.—42 cm.
- Length/width ratio.—4.7.
- Growth habit.—Upright.
- Hardiness zone of plant.—USDA Zone 11a.
- Primocane (current year's cane).
- Number.—Five.
- Color.—RHS N80A.
- Cane length in autumn.—210 cm.
- Internodal distance at central ⅓ of cane.—7 cm.
- Anthocyanin coloration of cane.—Medium; RHS N80A.
- Cane bloom.—Weak.
- Time of cane emergence.—April 15th.
- Previous year canes:
- Length of fruiting laterals.—45.0 cm.
- Time of beginning flowering on previous year's cane.—February 10th.
- Time of beginning of fruit ripening on previous year's cane.—March 15th.
- Time of vegetative bud burst.—January 10th.
- Very young shoot:
- Anthocyanin coloration of apex during rapid growth.—RHS N144B.
- Prickles (spines):
- Presence.—Present.
- Density.—Dense.
- Length at one inch height at end of harvest (from base to tip).—0.02 cm.
- Color.—RHS 47B.
- Leaves:
- Predominant number of leaflets.—3.
- Profile of leaflets in cross section.—Concave.
- Leaf rugosity.—Medium.
- Color of upper side.—RHS 143A.
- Color of lower side.—RHS 148C.
- Surface texture of upper side.—Slightly rough.
- Surface texture of lower side.—Strongly rough.
- Terminal leaflet.—Length: 19.0 cm. Width: 12.0 cm. Length/width ratio: 1.58. Margin: Undulated. Overall shape: Obovate. Apex shape: Acute. Base shape: Cordate.
- Lateral leaflets.—Length: 10.0 cm. Width: 7.0 cm. Length/width ratio: 1.42. Arrangement of lateral leaflets: Free. Margin: Undulated. Overall shape: Lanceolate. Apex shape: Acute. Base shape: Rounded.
- Rachis length between terminal leaflet and adjacent lateral leaflets.—4.5 cm.
- Petiole.—Length: 12 cm. Diameter: 0.4 cm. Color: RHS 154A.
- Flowers:
- Diameter.—2.5 cm.
- Petal.—Length: 0.7 cm. Width: 0.3 cm. Length/width ratio: 2.33.Color of upper side: RHS N155A. Color of lower side: RHS N155A.
- Sepal.—Length: 1.8 cm. Width: 0.4 cm. Shape: Oblong. Color: RHS 145A.
- Pedicel.—Length: 1.5 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm. Color: RHS N144D. Surface texture: Thorny.
- Peduncle.—Color: RHS N144D. Intensity of anthocyanin coloration: Weak. Surface texture: Thorny.
- Fruit:
- Length.—2.8 cm.
- Diameter.—2.4 cm.
- Length/width ratio.—1.16.
- General shape in lateral view.—Broad conical.
- Color.—RHS 44B.
- Glossiness.—Medium.
- Firmness.—Medium.
- Adherence to plug.—Weak.
- Weight of single drupe.—0.06 g.
- Number of drupelets per berry.—97.
- Average weight per berry.—6 g.
- Soluble solids (° brix).—10.6.
- Seed:
- Length.—0.3 cm.
- Width.—0.2 cm.
- Shape.—Kidney.
- Color.—RHS 24D.
- Production:
- Main bearing type.—Primocane.
- Primocane (current year's cane).—Time of beginning of flowering: September 1st. Time of beginning of fruit ripening: October 1st. Length of fruiting period: 3 month. Yield: 10,000 kg to 15,000 kg per hectare per season from 6-month-old plants when grown in Huelva (Spain). Fruit storage life and shipping quality: 10 days. Market use: Fresh. Plant/fruit disease and pest resistance/susceptibility: None.
‘Simona’ can be compared to the commercial Raspberry variety ‘Diamond Jubilee’ (U.S. U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,455). Differences between the varieties are described in Table 1.
TABLE 1
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Comparison with Similar Variety
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Commercial line
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Trait
Variety ‘Simona’
Diamond Jubilee
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Winter production
Yes
No
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Fruit color
44B
44A
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Internodal distance
7 cm
4.5 cm
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Plant height
200 cm
156 cm
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Thorn color
47B
183A
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Primocane cane color
N80A
144B
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Patent Grant
PP36517
