Genus and species: Citrus limon.
Variety denomination: ‘Code 3X97’.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY The new lemon variety ‘Code 3X97’ originated as an induced mutation of ‘Eureka’ lemon (not patented). Gamma irradiation from a Gammacell 200 (60C) source was applied to bud sticks of ‘Eureka’ in 1998 at Emerald, Queensland, Australia. The irradiated bud sticks were budded onto ‘Carrizo’ rootstock (not patented) in 1998 at Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia, and the trees that survived were field planted at Bundaberg in 1999. The selection now known as ‘Code 3X97’ was identified as showing consistently fewer seeds than the parent variety, with no significant reduction in fruit size. A comparative trial was planted in 2003, using ‘Code 3X97’ budwood on ‘Benton’ (not patented) rootstock. Successive generations have consistently shown few seeds and have reproduced true to type.
‘Code 3X97’ is a new and distinct lemon tree notable for its fruit, which produces consistently low numbers of seeds. Table 1 shows a comparison of ‘Code 3X97’ lemon to ‘Eureka’ and other similar (unpatented) varieties.
TABLE 1
Comparison of ‘Code 3X97’ to Known Varieties
Characteristic ‘Code 3X97’ ‘3 ELS 0’ ‘Eureka’
Seed quantity Absent to Absent to Many
few few
Mean fruit length (mm) 76.88 74.56 84.76
Mean fruit diameter (mm) 54.52 57.16 62.84
Fruit length/diameter ratio 1.41 1.31 1.35
Rind thickness (mm) 4.32 4.48 5.24
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS FIG. 1 shows whole and sectioned fruit of ‘Code 3X97’ lemon and other varieties;
FIG. 2 shows a ‘Code 3X97’ lemon tree; and,
FIG. 3 shows the trunk and branches of a ‘Code 3X97’ lemon tree.
The tree shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is an eleven year old tree planted in 2003. Because lighting conditions can affect the colors shown in photographic illustrations, color characteristics of this new variety should be determined with reference to the observations described herein, rather than from the illustrations alone.
DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION The following detailed botanical description is based on observations of trees and fruit of ‘Code 3X97’, budded to ‘Benton’ rootstock (not patented) and planted in 2003. Observations were recorded and photographs taken during the 2006 and 2014 growing seasons at Mundubbera, Queensland, Australia. It should be understood that the characteristics described will vary somewhat depending upon cultural practices and climatic conditions, and can vary with location and season. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average of measurements taken from a number of individual plants of the new variety. The measurements of any individual plant, or any group of plants, of the new variety may vary from the stated average. Colors are described with reference to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (5th edition, 2007).
Tree:
Vigor Vigorous
Density of canopy Open center
Habit Upright spreading
Height 4 m
Spread 3 m
Trunk diameter (at 30 cm 138 mm
above graft)
Bark texture Smooth
Bark color Greyed-orange 163D, greyed-purple N187A
Lenticel size 1 mm
Lenticel color Greyed-purple N187A
Lenticel quantity Many, 2 to 4 per cm2
Tendency toward alternate None
bearing
Winter hardiness Same as ‘Eureka’, performs well in USDA
hardiness zones 9 and 10
Chilling requirement Same as ‘Eureka’, no chilling requirement
Branch (fruiting branch
located about 1 m above
graft union):
Length 80 cm
Diameter 5.4 cm
Crotch angle Approximately 30 degrees
Bark color Greyed-orange 163D, greyed-purple
N187A
Bark texture Smooth
Thorns Present on new growth
Thorn length Small, 8 to 10 mm
Current year shoot
Length 87 cm
Color Green 140A Blossoms
Bud shape Oval
Bud length 2.1 mm
Bud diameter 1 mm
Bud color Yellow-green 144A
Quantity of blossoms 4 to 7
per cluster
Blossom diameter 21 mm
Blossom depth 18 mm
Pollen None
Sepal length 4.6 mm
Sepal width 4.5 mm
Sepal shape Arched
Sepal margin Smooth
Sepal color - upper surface Yellow 2B
Sepal color - lower surface Yellow 3B
Quantity of petals per 4
flower
Petal shape Elongated arch
Petal apex Rounded to acute
Petal margin Smooth
Petal length 16 mm
Petal width 5 mm
Petal color - upper surface White NN155D
Petal color - lower surface White NN155D, violet 84D
Date of first bloom Late August
Date of full bloom Early September
Flowering habit More than once in a season, up to
7 flowerings observed
Date of first fruitlet fall November
Pedicel length 4.7 mm
Pedicel diameter 1.6 mm
Pedicel color Yellow-green 151C
Pistil quantity per flower 1
Pistil length 11.6 mm
Pistil color Orange 26A, yellow 9A, yellow-
green 144A
Anther quantity per flower 1
Anther length 2.7 mm
Anther color Orange 26A
Stigma quantity per flower 1
Stigma length 1.8 mm
Stigma color Yellow 9A
Style quantity per flower 1
Style length 6.4 mm
Style color Yellow 1B
Ovary quantity per flower 1
Ovary length 4.4 mm
Ovary diameter 2.5 mm
Ovary color Yellow-green 144A
Leaves
Length 104.4 mm
Width 56.2 mm
Length/width ratio 1.85
Blade margin Crenate
Leaf shape Oval, weak concave
Apex shape Acute
Base shape Cuneate
Color of upper surface Green 143B
Color of lower surface Yellow-green 145A
Anthocyanin coloration Weak, less intense than ‘Eureka’
in young leaf
Leaf texture (upper Smooth
surface)
Petiole length 12.4 mm
Petiole diameter 2.9 mm
Petiole color Yellow-green N144D
Wings None
Fruit
Quantity per cluster 4
Axial diameter 80.48 mm
Apical diameter 59.88 mm
Weight 151 g
General shape in profile Oval
Position of maximum Middle of fruit
diameter
Navel None
Neck Present, very short
Nipple Present, weak to medium prominence
Rind color Green 140E3
Glossiness Weak
Oil glands per cm2 About 40
Oil gland diameter 1 mm
Oiliness Oily
Rind thickness 4.32 mm
Ease of peeling Difficult
Rind texture Smooth
Albedo thickness 3 mm
Albedo color Yellow 2C
Quantity of fruit seg- 7.7 (average of 25 fruit)
ments per fruit
Toughness of segment Moderate
membrane
Juice sac length 7 mm
Juice sac shape Cylinder
Juice sac length to 7:1.3
width ratio
Juice sac color Yellow 2C
Flesh color Yellow 2C
Juice soluble solids 7.9
(° Brix)
Relative harvest maturity Early
Harvest window January through December
(date range)
Seeds present None or very few
Stem length 20 mm
Stem diameter 4 mm
Stem color Yellow-green 144B
Parthenocarpy Absent
Diseases and pests No distinguishing resistance or
susceptibility noted
Harvest yield: 50 to 100 Tons per hectare
Market use: Fresh
Keeping quality: Same as ‘Eureka’
Shipping quality: Same as ‘Eureka’
