Blackberry plant named ‘DrisBlackThirtyOne’

A new and distinct variety of blackberry plant named ‘DrisBlackThirtyOne’, particularly selected for its flavor, high yield potential, shipping capacity of fruit, and spineless canes, is disclosed.

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Description

Latin name:

Botanical classification: Rubus L. subgenus Rubus.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed variety of blackberry plant is ‘DrisBlackThirtyOne’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Blackberry is the common name for a multitude of plant species bearing dark purple to black aggregate fruit in the genus Rubus of the family Rosaceae. Most blackberries are within the subgenus Rubus.

Native chiefly to the northern temperate regions, blackberries are now being cultivated as a valuable fruit crop in many areas of the world, particularly in Europe, North America and Central America. Recognized for their high contents of antioxidants, dietary fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin K. Blackberry fruit are typically consumed as fresh fruit, individually quick frozen fruit, or in prepared foods, such as purées, juices, jellies, jams, grocery items, baked goods, and snack foods.

Globally, Mexico is the leading producer of blackberries, with nearly the entire crop being produced for export into the off-season fresh markets in North America and Europe. The Mexican market is almost entirely from the cultivar ‘Tupi’ (also spelled as ‘Tupy’). In the United States, Oregon is the leading commercial blackberry producer, followed by the state of California.

Blackberries are perennial plants that typically bear biennial stems (known as “canes”) from a perennial root system. The two cane types are primocanes, or first-year canes, which are usually vegetative, and floricanes, which are the same canes and produce fruit in the next growing season. In its first year, a new cane, the primocane, grows vigorously to its full length of three to six meters in a growth habit of erecting, arching, or trailing along the ground and bearing large compound leaves with 3, 5, or 7 leaflets; it does not produce any flowers. In its second year, the cane becomes a floricane and stops elongating, but the lateral buds break to produce flowering laterals that bear fruit.

Recently, primocane-fruiting blackberry varieties have been developed that are capable of flowering and fruiting on first-year canes. Primocane-fruiting blackberry varieties have several advantages, including potential of two crops on the same plant in the same year, reduction in pruning costs by mowing of canes, avoidance of winter injury, and production of fruit in an extended geographic area. However, prirnocane-fruiting blackberry varieties are also subject to a number of challenges, such as poor heat tolerance, lesser fruit quality, and low yield.

Blackberry is an important and valuable commercial fruit crop. Accordingly, there is a need for new varieties of blackberry plant. In particular, there is a need for improved varieties of blackberry plant that are stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to an improved variety of blackberry plant. In particular, the invention relates to a new and distinct variety of blackberry plant (Rubus L. subgenus Rubus), which has been denominated as ‘DrisBlackThirtyOne’.

Blackberry plant variety ‘DrisBlackThirtyOne’ was selected in Santa Cruz County, Calif. in September of 2016 and originated from a controlled cross between the proprietary female parent blackberry plant ‘BW389 2 Bulk’ (unpatented) and the male parent blackberry plant ‘DrisBlackThirteen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,681). The original seedling of the new variety was first asexually propagated via root cuttings in Santa Cruz County, Calif. in October of 2016.

‘DrisBlackThirtyOne’ was subsequently asexually propagated via root cuttings, and underwent testing in Santa Cruz, Calif. from 2017 to 2021 (four years). The present variety has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations via root cuttings and tissue culture.

‘DrisBlackThirtyOne’ was selected for its flavor, high yield potential, shipping capacity of fruit, and spineless canes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new blackberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of plants that are two to five years old.

FIG. 1 illustrates leaves of variety ‘DrisBlackThirtyOne’.

FIG. 2 illustrates a section of a cane of variety ‘DrisBlackThirtyOne’.

FIG. 3 illustrates flowers of variety ‘DrisBlackThirtyOne’ at various stages of development.

FIG. 4 illustrates fruits of variety ‘DrisBlackThirtyOne’ at various stages of development.

 DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisBlackThirtyOne’. The data that define these characteristics are based on observations taken in Santa Cruz County, Calif. from 2017 to 2021. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic and cultural conditions. ‘DrisBlackThirtyOne’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisBlackThirtyOne’ was taken from plants that were two to five years old. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2015 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2nd edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

  • Classification:
      • Family.—Rosaceae.
      • Botanical.—Rubus L. subgenus Rubus.
      • Common name.—Blackberry.
      • Variety name.—‘DrisBlackThirtyOne’.
  • Parentage:
      • Female parent.—‘BW389 2 Bulk’ (unpatented).
      • Male parent.—‘DrisBlackThirteen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,681).
  • Plant:
      • Propagation.—Root cuttings and tissue culture.
      • Growth habit.—Upright.
      • Height.—161 cm.
      • Width.—80 cm.
      • Height/width ratio.—2.01.
      • Vigor.—Medium.
      • Self-fruitfulness.—Self-fruitful.
  • Canes:
      • Internodal distance.—9 cm.
      • New cane.—Strength: Medium. Glaucosity (waxy bloom): Weak.
      • Dormant cane.—Anthocyanin coloration: Weak. Predominant distribution of branches: Only on upper half. Cross-section: Rounded to angular. Spine: Presence of spines: Absent.
      • Fruiting lateral.—Fruiting lateral length (4th lateral from tip): 17 cm. Number of fruits per fruiting lateral: 10.
      • Young shoots.—Length: 164 cm. Diameter: 1.5 cm. Anthocyanin coloration (during rapid growth): Strong. Color: RHS 148A (Moderate yellow green). Number of glandular hairs: Many. Time of young shoot emergence: Late March.
  • Leaves:
      • Time of leaf bud burst.—Late January.
      • Leaf.—Predominant number of leaflets: 5. Type: Palmate. Relative position of lateral leaflets: Overlapping. Arrangement: Whorled. Venation: Cross-venulate. Vein color: RHS 152D (Dark greenish yellow). Color of upper side: RHS 152D (Dark greenish yellow). Color of lower side: RHS 138B (Moderate yellow green). Profile in cross-section: Concave (margins rolled inwards). Glossiness of upper side: Medium.
      • Leaflet.—Type of incision of margin: Bi-serrate. Depth of margin incisions; Medium.
      • Terminal leaflet.—Length: 10 cm. Width: 8.4 cm. Length/width ratio: 1.2. Shape: Oval. Base: Obtuse. Margin: Doubly serrate. Lobing: Absent. Shape in cross-section: V-shaped. Undulation of margin: Weak. Blistering between veins: Medium.
      • Lateral leaflet (single leaflet in basal pair).—Length: 9.6 cm. Width: 6 cm. Length/width ratio: 1.6. Shape: Oval. Base: Obtuse. Margin: Doubly serrate.
      • Rachis (length between terminal leaflet and adjacent lateral leaflets).—3 cm.
      • Petiole.—Length: 7 cm. Diameter: 1-2 mm. Color of upper surface: RHS 138B (Moderate yellow green). Color of lower surface: RHS 144A (Strong yellow green).
      • Stipule.—Length: 1.7 cm. Width: 2.7 mm. Color: RHS 147A (Moderate olive green). Orientation: Erect.
  • Inflorescence:
      • Flower bud.—Length: 9 mm. Width: 8 mm. Color: RHS 191A (Greyish yellow green).
      • Flower.—Diameter: 59 mm. Number of flowers observed at 3rd node from tip of lateral.—5.5. Fragrance: Faint.
      • Petal.—Length: 26 mm. Width: 9 mm. Length/width ratio: 2.9. Number of petals per flower: 5.5. Color: RHS NN155C (White). Shape: Oval. Apex: Rounded. Base: Obtuse. Margin: Erose.
      • Sepal.—Length: 9 mm. Width: 5.8 mm. Color: RHS 145A (Strong yellow green).
      • Flower pedicel.—Length: 27 mm. Diameter: 2 mm. Color: RHS 138C (Moderate yellow green).
      • Inflorescence peduncle.—Length: 26 mm. Diameter: 2 mm. Color: RHS 138C (Moderate yellow green).
      • Reproductive organs.—Style: Length: 2.5 mm. Color: RHS 143B (Strong yellow green). Ovary: Color: RHS 140A (Vivid yellowish green). Stamen: Length: 8 mm. Color: RHS 138D (Light yellow green). Pollen: Amount: Medium. Color: RHS 4B (Light greenish yellow).
      • Flowering interval on previous year's cane (floricane).—Early April to mid-May.
      • Flowering interval on current year's cane (primocane).—Late April to May.
  • Fruit:
      • Length of mature fruit.—25 mm.
      • Diameter of mature fruit.—18 mm.
      • Ratio of length to width.—1.39.
      • Floricane fruit weight.—11 g/fruit.
      • Primocane fruit weight.—10 g/fruit.
      • Sweetness/soluble solids (in ° Brix): 13.
      • Titratable acidity (% as citric acid).—1.53%.
      • Glossiness.—Medium.
      • Firmness.—Medium firm.
      • Fruit shape in longitudinal section.—Oblong.
      • Fruit color.—RHS 203A (Black).
      • Drupe.—Length of single drupe: 5 mm. Diameter of single drupe: 5 mm. Average number of drupes per fruit: ˜100.
      • Seed.—Diameter: 2 mm. Weight: 0.00217 g/seed. Color: RHS 167D (Moderate orange yellow).
      • Fruiting on current year's cane.—Present.
      • Harvest interval on previous year's cane (floricane).—Mid-June to July.
      • Harvest interval on current year's cane (primocane).—Mid-August to September.
      • Yield.—14,000 pounds (lbs) to 22,700 pounds (lbs) of fruit per acre per season from 24-36 month-old plants when grown in Watsonville, Calif.
  • Resistance to pests and diseases:
      • Redberry mite (Acalitus essigi).—Moderately susceptible.
      • Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum).—Moderately susceptible.
      • Verticillium wilt (Verticillium spp.).—Susceptible.

COMPARISON TO PARENTAL AND REFERENCE BLACKBERRY VARIETIES

‘DrisBlackThirtyOne’ differs from the proprietary female parent ‘BW389 2 Bulk’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisBlackThirtyOne’ has larger fruit size and higher yield potential compared to ‘BW389 2 Bulk’.

‘DrisBlackThirtyOne’ differs from the male parent and reference variety ‘DrisBlackThirteen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,681) in that ‘DrisBlackThirtyOne’ has an upright growth habit, rounded to angular dormant cane cross-section, many glandular hairs on young shoots, and oblong shape of fruit in longitudinal section, whereas ‘DrisBlackThirteen’ has a semi-upright growth habit, angular to grooved dormant cane cross-section, absent or few glandular hairs on young shoots, and medium ovate shape of fruit in longitudinal section.

‘DrisBlackThirtyOne’ differs from the reference variety ‘DrisBlackTwentyFour’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 33,088) in that ‘DrisBlackThirtyOne’ has spineless canes, the terminal leaflet cross-section is V-shaped, medium blistering between terminal leaflet veins, and oblong shape of fruit in longitudinal section, whereas ‘DrisBlackTwentyFour’ has spines on dormant canes, the terminal leaflet cross-section is U-shaped, very weak blistering between terminal leaflet veins, and elliptic shape of fruit in longitudinal section.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of blackberry plant designated ‘DrisBlackThirtyOne’ as shown and described herein.

Referenced Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
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Other references
  • Voss, Donald H. The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2001 Journal American Rhododendron Society, vol. 56, No. 1 2002 3 pages.
  • Williams, et al. DNA polymorphisms amplified by arbitrary primers are useful as genetic markers Nucleic Acids Research, vol. 18, No. 22 1990 pp. 6531-6535.
Patent History
Patent number: PP35233
Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 6, 2022
Date of Patent: Jun 27, 2023
Assignee: Driscoll's, Inc. (Watsonville, CA)
Inventors: Gavin R. Sills (Watsonville, CA), Yunwen Wang (Watsonville, CA), Mark F. Crusha (Watsonville, CA), John Fangary (Watsonville, CA)
Primary Examiner: Karen M Redden
Application Number: 17/961,278
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Bramble (PLT/203)
International Classification: A01H 5/08 (20180101); A01H 6/74 (20180101);