Blueberry plant named ‘Ridley 1111’

A new and distinct cultivar of Vaccinium hybrid plant named ‘RIDLEY 1111’, characterized by its combination of upright to bushy plant shape and strong plant growth vigor, evergreen foliage, earliness of flowering and fruiting, medium fruit size, firm fruit suited to handling, attractive dark blue fruit color and small picking scar. This combination results in higher quality fruit with an earlier availability than other varieties.

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Description

Latin name of genus and species of plant claimed: Vaccinium hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘Ridley 1111’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety of Vaccinium hybrid (Southern Highbush Blueberry), which has been given the variety denomination of ‘Ridley 1111’. Its market class is that of a fruiting plant. ‘Ridley 1111’ is intended for use as fresh fruit for shipping, customer pick and processing markets and as a home garden plant.

The new Vaccinium hybrid cultivar is a selection resulting from seedlings produced in a breeding programme of Vaccinium at Lindendale, NSW, Australia in 2001 from open pollinated seed parent ‘C99-42’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,695). The new cultivar was discovered and selected as a single plant within a population of plants of Vaccinium hybrids in 2003 in a commercial field plantation environment at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia. Selection criteria was a combination of strong plant growth vigor, low chilling requirement, earliness of flowering and fruiting, firm fruit suited to handling, sweet berries and small picking scar. The selection was subsequently evaluated for a number of years at the commercial at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cutting propagation since 2003 at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia and has demonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.

The new variety has been primarily compared to the variety ‘C99-42’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,695). In Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia the time of fruit ripening of ‘Ridley 1111’ is classified as ‘very early’ whereas the time of fruit ripening of ‘C99-42’ is classified as ‘early’. The earlier time of fruit ripening of ‘Ridley 1111’ allows for a greater period of production on farm and an ability to supply fresh fruit markets at an earlier date than ‘C99-42’. The time of beginning of flowering of ‘Ridley 1111’ is classified as ‘very early’ whereas the time of beginning of flowering of time of ‘C99-42’ is classified as ‘very early to early’. The leaf width of ‘Ridley 1111’ is ‘medium to broad’ (mean 31.3 mm) whereas the leaf width of ‘C99-42’ is ‘narrow to medium’ (mean 25.0 mm). The berry diameter of ‘Ridley 1111’ is medium to large (mean 17.3 mm) whereas the berry diameter of ‘C99-42’ is ‘medium’ (mean 15.5 mm). The berry shape of ‘Ridley 1111’ is oblate whereas the berry shape of ‘C99-42’ is a round. The berry calyx basin diameter of ‘Ridley 1111’ is medium to large (mean 6.8 mm) whereas the berry calyx basin diameter of ‘C99-42’ is ‘medium’ (mean 5.6 mm). The berry sweetness of ‘Ridley 1111’ is ‘medium to high’ whereas ‘C99-42’ is ‘low to medium’. This combination of vegetative and fruiting attributes results in ‘Ridley 1111’ being a desirable variety for very early season commercial production. See Table 1 for comparisons

‘Ridley 1111’ can also be compared to the variety ‘Jewel’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,807). The plant growth vigour of ‘Ridley 1111’ is ‘strong’ whereas the plant growth vigour of ‘Jewel’ is ‘medium to strong’. In Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia the time of fruit ripening of ‘Ridley 1111’ is classified as ‘very early’ whereas the time of fruit ripening of ‘Jewel’ is classified as ‘mid-season’. The time of beginning of flowering of ‘Ridley 1111’ is classified as ‘very early’ whereas the time of beginning of flowering of time of ‘Jewel’ is classified as ‘early to medium’. The size of the flower's corolla tube of ‘Ridley 1111’ is ‘medium to large’ whereas the size of corolla tube of ‘Jewel’ is ‘small to medium’. The berry shape of ‘Ridley 1111’ is oblate whereas the berry shape of ‘Jewel’ is a round. The berry calyx basin diameter of ‘Ridley 1111’ is medium to large (mean 6.8 mm) whereas the berry calyx basin diameter of ‘Jewel’ is ‘medium’ (mean 5.7 mm). The berry sweetness of ‘Ridley 1111’ is ‘medium to high’ whereas ‘Jewel’ is ‘medium’. The berry acidity of ‘Ridley 1111’ is ‘medium’ whereas ‘Jewel’ is ‘high’.

‘Ridley 1111’ can also be compared to the variety ‘Snowchaser’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,503). The plant growth vigour of ‘Ridley 1111’ is ‘strong’ whereas the plant growth vigour of ‘Snowchaser’ is ‘medium’. The leaf length of ‘Ridley 1111’ is ‘medium to long’ (mean 58.8 mm) whereas the leaf length of ‘Snowchaser’ is ‘long’ (mean 63.8 mm). The size of the flower's corolla tube of ‘Ridley 1111’ is ‘medium to large’ whereas the size of corolla tube of ‘Snowchaser’ is ‘medium’. The berry shape of ‘Ridley 1111’ is oblate whereas the berry shape of ‘Snowchaser’ is a round. The berry calyx basin depth of ‘Ridley 1111’ is ‘medium’ whereas the berry calyx basin depth of ‘Snowchaser’ is ‘shallow’.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics of the new cultivar have been repeatedly observed and can be used to distinguish ‘RIDLEY 1111’ as a new and distinct cultivar of Vaccinium hybrid plant:

    • 1. Upright to bushy plant growth habit
    • 2. Very early timing of beginning of flowering
    • 3. Very early timing of fruit ripening
    • 4. Strong plant growth vigour
    • 5. Dark blue berry color
    • 6. Berry firmness is firm
    • 7. Picking scar is dry
      Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the Vaccinium hybrid parents primarily in very early to early timing of beginning of flowering and very early to early timing of fruit ripening whereas the parent varieties are early to mid season in these characters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, typical flower and foliage characteristics of the new cultivar. Colors in the photographs differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed description, which accurately describes the colors of ‘RIDLEY 1111’.

FIG. 1 illustrates a ‘RIDLEY 1111’ in a commercial field planting.

FIG. 2 illustrates a ‘RIDLEY 1111’ leaf, flower and berry shapes and dimensions.

 DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of an Vaccinium hybrid ornamental plant known as ‘RIDLEY 1111’. Plant observations were made on plants grown in Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia. Unless indicated otherwise, the descriptions disclosed herein are based upon observations made in August 2009 of mature ‘RIDLEY 1111’ plants (age 4 years) grown in outdoor field plantings with day temperature ranging from 21° C. to 23° C., night temperatures ranging from 10° C. to 12° C., and light levels ranging from 6 to 8 klux. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, younger plants. ‘RIDLEY 1111’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may vary with variations in the environment such as season, temperature, light quality, light intensity, day length, cultural conditions and the like. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2007 edition.

  • Botanical classification: Vaccinium hybrid cultivar RIDLEY 1111.
  • Parentage:
      • Parents.—Seed parent ‘C99-42’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,695).
  • Plant:
      • Growth habit.—Semi-upright and bushy.
      • Growth vigor.—Is strong.
      • Plant height.—Is approximately 2.0 m.
      • Plant width.—Is approximately 1.2 m.
      • Flower bud density.—Is medium.
      • Twigginess.—Is low.
      • Time of beginning of flowering.—Is very early (begins late April to early May; peaks mid July) when grown as an evergreen in Australia.
      • Time of fruit ripening.—Is very early (begins early to mid June; peaks mid September) when grown as an evergreen in Australia.
  • Stem:
      • Suckering tendency.—Plants typically have 5-7 major canes per plant from a base 30 cm in diameter on 6 year old plants.
      • Canes.—Erect to semi-erect with moderate branching; color greyed orange 198C; 2 year old cane diameter 12 mm, colored greyed orange 177B, some flaking of bark, current season wood diameter 3-4 mm, colored yellow green 144C.
      • Internode length on strong, new shoots.—15-20 mm.
      • Fruiting wood.—Numerous twigs to 10 cm in length.
      • Surface texture of new wood.—Smooth.
  • Fully developed leaf:
      • Length.—Medium to long 60-70 mm.
      • Width.—Medium to broad approximately 30 mm.
      • Shape.—Elliptic.
      • Color of upper surface.—Yellow green 137A.
      • Color of lower surface.—Yellow green 148C.
      • Intensity of color.—Medium.
      • Margin.—Entire.
      • Undulation of margin.—Weak.
      • Pubescence of upper side.—Absent.
      • Pubescence of lower side.—Absent.
      • Cross sectional profile.—Flat.
      • Longitudinal profile.—Straight.
      • Attitude.—Broad acute to horizontal.
      • Shape of apex.—Is acuminate.
      • Shape of base.—Is obtuse.
  • Inflorescence:
      • Length of peduncle.—To 12 mm.
      • Length of pedicel.—Long 4-6 mm.
      • Number of flowers per cluster.—Median 7.
      • Flower cluster density.—Is medium-dense.
      • Diameter.—20-35 mm.
      • Length.—30-50 mm.
      • Color of peduncle.—146C.
      • Texture of peduncle.—Is smooth.
      • Color of pedicel.—146C.
      • Texture of pedicel.—Is smooth.
  • Flowers:
      • Length of bud.—Medium (to 15 mm), bud shape tubular, oblong with acute apex.
      • Bud color.—Green 138A (calyx) with white 155D corolla.
      • Length of corolla tube.—Medium to long (to 15 mm).
      • Width of corolla tube.—Medium to broad (to 11 mm).
      • Corolla aperture.—Diameter 3-4 mm.
      • Color of corolla.—White 155D.
      • Anthocyanin coloration of corolla.—Absent.
      • Corolla ridges.—Present.
      • Protusion of stigma.—Absent.
      • Fragrance.—Weak.
      • Shape.—Urceolate.
      • Abundance of pollen.—High.
      • Calyx (with sepals) diameter.—5-6 mm.
      • Calyx color.—Green 138A.
  • Productivity: 3 to 4 kg per season from 3-4 year old plants planted at 3.0 m×0.9 m density.
  • Cold hardiness: RIDLEY 1111 has not been grown in all environments including harsh winter environments. Cold tolerance is expected to be low.
  • Chilling requirement: RIDLEY 1111 has not been grown in all environments and is typically grown as an evergreen crop where chilling hours are not important. RIDLEY 1111 is classed as ‘low chill’, typical of Southern Highbush Blueberry varieties with an estimated chilling requirement of 250 hours (not tested).
  • Leafing: Plants retain leaves year round (at Lindendale, NSW Australia) and RIDLEY 1111 is grown commercially as an evergreen crop. New leafing occurs in mid to late August at Lindendale, NSW Australia.
  • Fruit:
      • Unripe fruit color intensity.—Light.
      • Unripe fruit color.—144A.
      • Cluster density.—Is dense.
      • Diameter.—Is medium (mean 17.3 mm).
      • Weight.—Medium (approximately 2.1 g).
      • Shape.—Oblate.
      • Attitude of calyx.—Erect.
      • Diameter of calyx basin.—Medium (mean 7 mm).
      • Depth of calyx basin.—Is shallow (to 1.5 mm).
      • Intensity of bloom.—Strong.
      • Intensity of blue color of skin with bloom removed.—Is very dark.
      • Color of skin.—202A.
      • Sweetness when ripe.—Medium to high.
      • Color of flesh when ripe.—Yellow green 145D to yellow green 150D.
      • Firmness when ripe.—Firm.
      • Acidity when ripe.—Medium.
      • Size of scar.—Is small (1.0-1.5 mm).
      • Storage quality.—Good.
      • Date of 50% maturity.—Approximately 15th August at Lindendale, NSW Australia.
      • Fruit development period.—Approximately 55 days in protected cultivation at Lindendale, NSW Australia.
  • Seed:
      • Seed color.—Greyed orange 165B.
      • Seed abundance in fruit.—Medium.
      • Seed size.—1.6-1.8 mm long for fully developed seeds.

TABLE 1 Comparison with other varieties (extract from Australian PBR data) Organ/Plant Part: Context Ridley 1111 C99-42 Jewel Snowchaser *Plant: vigour strong medium medium to medium strong *Plant: growth habit semi upright semi semi semi upright upright upright *Leaf: length medium to medium medium long long Leaf: width medium to narrow to medium broad broad medium *Leaf: shape elliptic elliptic elliptic elliptic Leaf: colour of green green green green upper side *Leaf: intensity of medium medium light medium green colour on upper side (varieties with green leaf colour only) *Leaf: margin entire entire entire entire *Flower: size of medium to medium small to medium corolla tube large medium *Flower: absent or absent or absent or absent or anthocyanin very weak very weak very weak very weak colouration of corolla tube Flower: ridges on present present present present corolla tube Flower: protusion of absent absent present absent stigma Fruit cluster: density dense dense dense medium *Unripe fruit: light light light light intensity of green colour *Fruit: size medium to medium to medium to medium to large large large large *Fruit: shape in oblate round round round longitudinal section Fruit: attitude of erect erect erect erect sepals Fruit: diameter of medium to medium medium large calyx basin large Fruit: depth of calyx medium medium medium shallow basin *Fruit: intensity of strong strong strong strong bloom *Fruit: colour of dark blue dark blue dark blue dark blue skin Fruit: firmness firm firm firm firm *Fruit: sweetness medium to low to medium medium to high medium high *Fruit: acidity medium medium high medium Fruit: size of scar small small small small Fruit: average 2.1 1.6 2.3 2.2 weight of ripe berry (g) *Time of: beginning very early very early early to very early of flowering on to early medium current year?s shoot (varieties which fruit on one-year-old and current season?s shoots only) *Time of: beginning very early early mid very early of fruit ripening on season current year?s shoot (varieties which fruit on one-year-old and current season?s shoots)

Claims

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Vaccinium hybrid plant named ‘RIDLEY 1111’, substantially as herein shown and described.

Patent History
Patent number: PP23572
Type: Grant
Filed: Jan 18, 2011
Date of Patent: Apr 30, 2013
Patent Publication Number: 20110185459
Assignee: Mountain Blue Orchards PTY Ltd. (Lindendale)
Inventor: Ridley Bell (Lindendale)
Primary Examiner: June Hwu
Application Number: 12/930,887
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Blueberry (PLT/157)
International Classification: A01H 5/00 (20060101);