Kiwi plant named ‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’
‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’ is a new golden-fleshed cultivar of Actinidia chinensis Planch with a low chilling requirement. ‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’ fruit is large, cylindrical and uniform in shape with yellow flesh that has a thick sweet flavor and delicious taste. ‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’ fruit has a high percent soluble solids and dry matter content. Vegetative bud burst begins in late March to early April and flowering begins on average April 18-20 in central Alabama. Fruit typically reaches maturity September 21-25 in central Alabama with an internal color hue of less than 103°.
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Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Actinidia chinensis Planch.
Variety denomination: ‘AU GULF COAST GOLD’.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe genus Actinidia is native to China and is comprised of more than 50 species. Actinidia chinensis Planch and Actinidia deliciosa (A. Chev). C.F. Liang and A.R. Ferguson are the two most important commercial Actinidia species. Actinidia chinensis is more precocious and productive and the fruit are more attractive in appearance with less pubescence on the fruit skin than A. deliciosa.
Kiwifruit plants are dioecious and have vegetative and compound buds with flower clusters produced in the leaf axils of the first four to six nodes of shoots arising from buds on one year old shoots. Male and female flowers are perfect morphologically. The female flower contains some anthers, but only the stigma is functional, whereas the flower on a male vine typically produces 125-185 large anthers that surround a small vestigial stigma. For pollination and fruit set to occur, the female plant must be in close proximity of a male plant whose bloom period occurs at the same time as the female plant's bloom period.
‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’ is a new golden-fleshed cultivar of Actinidia chinensis Planch. It is a bud mutation that occurred on a ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,159) plant in a cultivated and maintained orchard to evaluate kiwifruit cultivar performance at Fairhope, Baldwin County, Ala. Based on the genetic marker comparison of ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ (patented) and ‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’, the genetic distinction between these two cultivars is strong (Table 1). Wood from this plant was grafted onto Actinidia deliciosa kiwifruit plants at Clanton, Chilton County, Ala., where it has been grown and evaluated since 1999. ‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’ has been asexually reproduced at Auburn, Clanton and Reeltown, Ala. and Marysville and Reedly, Calif., USA by rooting softwood and hardwood cuttings, by whip and cleft grafting and tissue culture. Genetics have been stable through succeeding asexual propagation.
‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’ fruit is large, cylindrical and uniform in shape with golden flesh that has a thick sweet flavor and delicious taste. ‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’ fruit has high percent soluble solids and dry matter typically higher than ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ (patented) and comparable to slightly lower than ‘Hort 16A’ A. chinensis (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,066) (Table 2). Dry matter content, a positively correlated indicator of soluble solids content of kiwifruit when allowed to ripen, appears to be closely related to fruit development period, and ‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’ has a longer fruit development period compared to ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ (patented) and a shorter fruit development period compared to ‘Hort 16A’ (patented). Increasing dry matter content has been shown to increase purchase likelihood for kiwifruit (Jaeger et al., 2011). ‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’ bloom period begins 1-2 days before ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ (patented), and is completed 2 days before ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ (patented) bloom period (Table 3).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a new and distinct early to mid season ripening yellow fleshed kiwifruit cultivar that produces cylindrical, uniformly shaped fruit with the stylar end rounded to somewhat pointed, and the shape on the stalk end rounded and narrow. Fruit skin color is grey brown (N199B) color with medium density of uniform short lanulose hairs on fruit skin surface (Table 4). At maturity, the fruit surface appears brown due to the lanulose hairs.
The new cultivar is able to be asexually reproduced by softwood and hardwood cuttings or by grafting onto a rootstock. The unique characteristics come true to form and are established and transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations. ‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’ has been asexually propagated by rooting softwood and hardwood cuttings, and by whip and cleft grafting in Alabama and California, USA.
Kiwifruit plants are dioecious and have vegetative and compound buds with flower clusters produced in the leaf axils of the first four to six nodes. Male and female flowers are perfect morphologically. The female flower contains some anthers but only the stigma is functional whereas the flower on a male vine typically produces 125 to 185 large anthers that surround a small, vestigial stigma. In Alabama, ‘AU Golden Tiger’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,140) and ‘Chieftain’ (unpatented) are the male cultivars used as pollinizers. ‘AU Golden Tiger’ (patented) bloom period begins with ‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’, and ‘Chieftain’ bloom period begins during the latter part of ‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’ bloom period.
Kiwifruit buds enter endodormancy during winter, which requires a minimum number of chilling hours for maximum budbreak and bloom. Floral uniformity and density in spring is directly related to the amount of chilling received during winter. It is believed the more accurate measure of chilling hours is Richardson units, which are defined as the accumulated hours between 0° C. and 7° C.
For maximum bud break and flowering of ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ (patented) to occur it was determined that 700 hours of chilling was required and after the chilling requirements was met 15000 growing degree hours were necessary for bud break (Wall et al. 2008). ‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’ has similar chilling requirement as ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ (patented). The high growing degree hours requirement results in a late bud break and blooming period that typically occurs after the danger of a late spring frost. ‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’ has performed well in central Alabama where it receives an average winter chilling of 800-1200 hours.
In central Alabama, ‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’ flowers begin to open ˜2 days before ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ (patented) and its fruit ripens several weeks after ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ in the fall. ‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’ reaches harvest maturity 21-30 days after ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ (patented) (Table 2). ‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’ has a cylindrical fruit shape, as does ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ (patented). However, the stylar end is rounded to somewhat pointed in comparison to the rounded stylar end of ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ (patented). The shape of the shoulder on the stalk end of ‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’ is rounded and narrow in comparison to the rounded to flat shoulder on the stalk end of ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ (patented).
Kiwifruit plants are large deciduous shrubs that originated in China and are dioecious, can climb up to 25 feet, and have alternated, broadly rounded petiolate leaves. The cream-colored flowers that grow in axillary cymes mature into ovate to oblong fruits (berries) with brownish, hairy skins. There are over 50 species in the genus Actinidia. The two Actinidia species of the most commercial importance are deliciosa and chinensis. The kiwifruit plant is dioecious thereby requiring male pollenizers in the presence of the female plants to ensure fruit production. The male and female plants bloom period has to be at the same time for pollination to occur. The bloom period varies with each cultivar depending upon the chilling requirement and the growing degree hour requirement after the chilling requirement has been met. Actinidia are temperate zone plants that prefer well-drained moist and rich soil and grows well in full sun or part-shade.
The new cultivar ‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’ is pistillate, with imperfect flowers, e.g. the flowers produce only sterile pollen and thus require a pollenizer for fruit production. The male cultivars ‘AU Tiger’ (patented) and ‘Chieftain’ (unpatented) are pollenizers used with ‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’. The bloom period of ‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’ starts about April 18th in central Alabama, typically ˜2 days before the ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ (patented) bloom period.
The new cultivar can be asexually reproduced by softwood and hardwood cuttings or by grafting onto a seedling or cutting grown rootstock. The unique characteristics come true to form and are established and transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.
‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’ is a bud mutation that occurred on a ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,159) plant in a kiwifruit cultivar evaluation planting at Fairhope, Baldwin County, Ala. Based on the genetic marker comparison of ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ (patented) and ‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’, the genetic distinction between these two cultivars is strong (Table 1).
‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’ fruit has high percent soluble solids and dry matter typically higher than ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ (patented) and comparable to slightly lower than ‘Hort 16A’ A. chinensis (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,066) (Table 2).
‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’ bloom period begins 1-2 days before ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ (patented), and is completed 2 days before ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ (patented) bloom period (Table 3).
The average plant height and spread for ‘Au Gulf Coast Gold’ was limited by pruning the plants and training them to a limited space of 8′×16′ on top of trellis. The remaining botanical information is provided below in Table 4.
Notes regarding Table 4:
1. Horticulture terminology is used in accordance with revised UPOV guidelines for kiwi.
2. Characters of comparison cultivar ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ are noted opposite that character when significantly different.
3. ‘AU Golden Sunshine’ plants were observed in the same experimental planting as the new cultivar.
4. All dimensions are in millimeters unless otherwise stated; weights are in grams.
5. The R.H.S. 2001 Color Chart used to determine actual color.
6. The numbers in brackets, e.g., after any reported number is the number of total measurements made. The number in parentheses e.g., ( ) is the range of the measurement.
LITERATURE CITEDHuang, H., S. Wang, Z. Zhang, and J. Gong. 2003. Exploration of Actinidia genetic resources and development of kiwifruit industry in China. Acta Hort 610:29-43.
Jaeger, S. R., R. Harker, C. M. Triggs, A. Gunson, R. L. Campbell, R. Jackman and C. Requejo-Jackman. 2011. Determining consumer purchase intentions: The importance of dry matter, size and price of kiwifruit. J. Food Sci. 76(3):177-184.
Jiang, Z., S. Wang, R. Huang, Z. Zhang, and H. Huang. 2005. ‘Wuzhi No3’ kiwifruit. HortScience 40(6):1923-1924.
Patterson, K., J. Burdon and N. Lallu. 2003. ‘Hort 16A’ kiwifruit: Progress and issues with commercialization. Acta Hort. 610:267-273.
Ramnoguilhem, M. And J. L. Tailleur. 2005. Kiwi, p. 185-207. In: J. M. Lespinasse and E. Leterme (eds.). Growing Fruit Trees. W.W. Norton & Company, New York, USA.
Sale, P. R. 1983. Kiwifruit culture. Govt. Printing Office, Wellington, New Zealand. pp. 95.
Wall, C., W. A. Dozier, Jr., R. C. Ebel, B. S. Wilkins, F. M. Woods, and W. G. Foshee III. 2008. Vegetative and floral chilling requirements of four new kiwi cultivars of Actinidia chinensis and A. deliciosa. HortScience 43(3):644-647.
Wang, M. Y., E. MacRae, M. Wohlers and K. Marsh. 2011. Changes in volatile production and sensory quality of kiwifruit during fruit maturation in Actinidia deliciosa ‘Hayward’ and A. chinensis ‘Hort 16A’. Postharvest Biol. and Technol. 59:16-24.
Claims
1. A new and distinct variety of Actinidia chinensis Planch plant named ‘AU Gulf Coast Gold’ substantially as described and illustrated herein.
PP11066 | September 21, 1999 | Lowe et al. |
PP20994 | May 11, 2010 | Dozier, Jr. et al. |
PP21005 | May 25, 2010 | Dozier, Jr. et al. |
PP22140 | September 13, 2011 | Dozier, Jr. et al. |
PP22159 | September 27, 2011 | Dozier, Jr. et al. |
PP22191 | October 11, 2011 | Dozier, Jr. et al. |
- Huang, H., S. Wang, Z. Zhang, and J. Gong. 2003. Exploration of Actinidia genetic resources and development of ciwifruit industry in China. Acta Hort 610:29-43.
- Jaeger, S.R., R. Harker, C.M. Triggs, A. Gunson, R.L. Campbell, R. Jackman and C. Requejo-Jackman. 2011. Determining consumer purchase intentions: The importance of dry matter, size and price of kiwifruit. J. Food Sci. 76 (3):177-184.
- Jiang, Z, S. Wang, R. Huang, Z. Zhang, and H. Huang. 2005. ‘Wuzhi No3’ kiwifruit. HortScience 40(6):1923-1924.
- Patterson, K., J. Burdon and N. Lallu. 2003 ‘Hort 16A’ kiwifruit: Progress and issues with commercialization. Acta Hort. 610:267-273.
- Wall et al., “Determining a Maturity Index and the Effect of Chilling Requirements, and Cytokinin Applications on Three few Kiwi Cultivars,” Thesis—Degree of Master of Science, Auburn University, Aug. 2006, 87 pages.
- Wall et al., “Vegetative and Floral Chilling Requirement of Four New Kiwi Cultivars of Actinidia chinensis and A. deliciosa,” (Hort Science 43(3):644-647, Jun. 2008.
- Wang, M.Y., E. MacRae, M. Wohlers and K. Marsh. 2011. Changes in volatile production and sensory quality of kiwifruit during fruit maturation in Actinidia deliciosa ‘Hayward’ and A. chinensis ‘Hort 16A’. Postharvest Biol. and Technol. 59:16-24.
Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 26, 2016
Date of Patent: Aug 14, 2018
Assignee: Auburn University (Auburn, AL)
Inventors: W. Alfred Dozier, Jr. (Opelika, AL), James A. Pitts (Clanton, AL), James D. Spiers (Auburn, AL)
Primary Examiner: June Hwu
Application Number: 15/330,677
International Classification: A01H 5/08 (20180101);