Grapevine named ‘MERLOT KANTHUS’
A new and distinct variety of grapevine named ‘MERLOT KANTHUS’, primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the temperate regions, and characterized by its medium vigor; erect growth habit; medium sized, circular shaped leaves; small, conical, medium dense berry clusters with two middle size wings; blue-black berries with slightly firm flesh, none to herbaceous taste and none to very weak flesh coloration; primary use for wine; and resistance to winter temperatures (to −22° C.), resistance to downy mildew, and tolerance to powdery mildew.
Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Vitis×vinifera (hybrid).
Variety name: ‘MERLOT KANTHUS’.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a new and distinct summer/fall bearing grapevine variety, botanically known as Vitis vinifera, and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘MERLOT KANTHUS’.
The new grapevine ‘MERLOT KANTHUS’ is a product of a controlled breeding program conducted by the inventors in Udine, Italy. The objective of the breeding program was to deyelop a new grapevine variety particularly characterized by resistance to cold (<−20° C.), resistance to downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola), and tolerance to powdery mildew (Uncinula necator).
The new grapevine ‘MERLOT KANTHUS’ originated from a cross made by the inventors in 2002 in Udine, Italy. The female or seed parent is the grapevine variety, Vitis vinifera cv. ‘Merlot’ (unpatented), and the male or pollen parent is the grapevine variety, Vitis cv. ‘20/3’ (Bianca×SK77-4/5) (unpatented).
The new grapevine ‘MERLOT KANTHUS’ was discovered and selected by the inventors as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in 2002 in Udine, Italy. Asexual reproduction of the new grapevine variety by grafting was first performed in February 2004 in Rauscedo, Friuli Venezia Giulia region, Italy, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION‘MERLOT KANTHUS’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the temperate regions with average yearly temperature about 13° C., minimum winter temperature about −20° C., annual rainfall around 700-1500 mm of rain (e.g. North-Eastern Italy, Friuli). This region provides the necessary year-round temperatures required for it to produce and maintain a strong vigorous plant with consistent fruit production from April through November on primocanes and in the ensuing year from April through November on the floricanes.
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘MERLOT KANTHUS’, which in combination distinguish this grapevine plant as a new and distinct variety.
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- 1. Medium vigor;
- 2. Erect growth habit;
- 3. Medium sized, circular shaped leaves with medium to medium green upper surfaces and light green lower surfaces and medium texture;
- 4. Small, conical, medium dense berry clusters with two middle size wings; blue-black berries with slightly firm flesh, none to herbaceous taste, and none to very weak flesh coloration; primarily used for wine and maturing in early September (Middle Friuli, North-Eastern Italy);
- 5. Primocanes and floricanes with a circular cross section, brownish colour, no lenticels, and short-medium internodes (diameter 8 mm);
- 6. Harvesting time in early September (Middle Friuli, North-Eastern Italy); and
- 7. Resistance to winter temperature (−22° C.), resistance to downy mildew, and tolerance to powdery mildew.
Plants of the new grapevine ‘MERLOT KANTHUS’ differ from plants of the parents, Vitis vinifera ‘Merlot’ (unpatented) and Vitis cross ‘20/3’ (unpatented), in the following characteristics described in Table 1.
Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar to the new grapevine ‘MERLOT KANTHUS’ is the female parent ‘Merlot’, to which a comparison has been provided above.
The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new grapevine ‘MERLOT KANTHUS’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘MERLOT KANTHUS’.
The following description of ‘MERLOT KANTHUS’ unless otherwise noted, is based on observations taken during the 2011, 2012, and 2013 growing seasons(s) in Udine, Italy and Fossalon di Grado (GO), Italy, from plants dug from a nursery located in Rauscedo (PN), Italy during the beginning of December 2007 and planted approximately 16 to 20 weeks later in Udine, Italy and Fossalon di Grado (GO), Italy. The phenotypical descriptions and color designations stated for the new variety may vary, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type, location and cultural conditions. ‘MERLOT KANTHUS’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions.
Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), (Edition V, 2007), except where general colors of ordinary significance are used.
Claims
1. A new and distinct grapevine, referred to as ‘MERLOT KANTHUS’, as herein described and illustrated by the characteristics set forth above.
Type: Grant
Filed: Mar 27, 2015
Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
Patent Publication Number: 20160242337
Assignees: Università degli Studi di Udine (Udine), Istituto di Genomica Applicata (Udine)
Inventors: Simone Diego Castellarin (Vancouver), Guido Cipriani (Faedis), Gabriele Di Gaspero (Cividale del Friuli UD), Michele Morgante (Tricesimo UD), Enrico Peterlunger (Codroipo UD), Raffaele Testolin (Udine)
Primary Examiner: Annette Para
Application Number: 14/545,114
