L. plant named ‘RYOKU NH-12’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of Vaccinium corymbosum L. plant named ‘RYOKU NH-12’, characterized by having more compact plant size, comparatively early fruit ripening time, comparatively large and uniform fruit size, firmer and lower dehiscent fruits, sweeter fruits, better taste balance of sweetness and acidity, and better taste of fruits, as compared to other Vaccinium corymbosum L. varieties.

Description

The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is: Vaccinium corymbosum L.

The novel variety of the Vaccinium corymbosum L. disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination: ‘RYOKU NH-12’.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Japanese Plant Breeders' Rights Application No. 31724, filed Jan. 4, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct hybrid variety of northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) named ‘RYOKU NH-12’. This novel variety was found by open pollination of ‘Spartan’, ‘Duke’ and ‘Denies Blue’ in the tests conducted for the period from 2004 to 2008 in Matsumoto-City, Nagano-prefecture, Japan. As stated below, ‘RYOKU NH-12’ has apparently different characteristics from those of the ‘Spartan’ and ‘Duke’, both being widely planted and important varieties in the Chubu district of Japan.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Blueberry variety ‘RYOKU NH-12’ exhibits outstanding and distinguishing characteristics when grown under normal horticultural conditions in the area from Nagano-prefecture to the north of the Kanto in Japan, including:

• • (1) more compact plant size;
  • (2) comparatively early fruit ripening time (50% fruit ripening around late June of each year in Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan);
  • (3) comparatively large and uniform fruit size;
  • (4) firmer and lower dehiscent fruits;
  • (5) sweeter fruits with better taste balance of sweetness and acidity; and
  • (6) better taste of fruits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying colored photographs (FIGS. 1 to 8) show typical bush, flower, fruit and leaf characteristics of the new Vaccinium corymbosum L. plant, ‘RYOKU NH-12’. Colors shown are as accurate as can be reasonably reproduced by photographic means. In some cases, the color might differ slightly from the colors of ‘RYOKU NH-12’ recited in the description.

FIG. 1 shows a tree body of ‘RYOKU NH-12’ (photographed date: Jul. 9, 2014; photographed location: Matsumoto-City, Nagano-prefecture, Japan).

FIG. 2 shows a panoramic view of the cultivation area of ‘RYOKU NH-12’ (photographed date: Sep. 7, 2012; photographed location: same as FIG. 1).

FIG. 3 shows whole flowers of ‘RYOKU NH-12’ (photographed date: May 6, 2014; photographed location: same as FIG. 1).

FIG. 4 shows broken-down parts of a flower of ‘RYOKU NH-12’ (photographed date: May 6, 2014; photographed location: same as FIG. 1).

FIG. 5 shows fruits of ‘RYOKU NH-12’ (photographed date: Jul. 15, 2014; photographed location: same as FIG. 1).

FIG. 6 shows a cross-section of the fruits of ‘RYOKU NH-12’ (photographed date: Jul. 15, 2014; photographed location: same as FIG. 1).

FIG. 7 shows an upper side of the leaves (10 sheets) of ‘RYOKU NH-12’ (photographed date: Aug. 3, 2012; photographed location: same as FIG. 1).

FIG. 8 shows a lower side of the leaves (10 sheets) of ‘RYOKU NH-12’ (photographed date: Aug. 3, 2012; photographed location: same as FIG. 1).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

A. Distinctive Characteristics of ‘RYOKU NY-12’

As described above, ‘RYOKU NH-12’ was obtained by the open pollination of ‘Spartan’, ‘Duke’ and ‘Denies Blue’. On Apr. 15, 2004, about 1,000 seeds obtained from the mixed fruits of ‘Spartan’, ‘Duke’ and ‘Denies Blue’, all of which were harvested in a field in Matsumoto-City, Nagano-prefecture, Japan, seeded in plant seeding trays, and then transplanted to pots. The resulting seedlings (about 300) were planted in cultivation pots on May 1, 2005. Fructification of the planted seedlings was started from Jun. 20, 2008 (on Year 3), and about 20 plant individuals were selected based on the characteristics, including larger fruit size, better taste balance of sweetness and acidity, higher yield per plant, earlier ripening time, large and uniform fruits, etc. For the about 20 plant individuals selected, test plots (each including about 20 cuttings per plant individual) were formed, where these plants were asexually propagated by cutting means. During the period from Jul. 20, 2010 to Dec. 25, 2016 and for 3 generations, the plants were propagated and examined for their characteristics based on the growth, and yield and fruits quality in each test plot. For 10 test plots, the characteristics of the plants were observed for the period between the flowering time and the ripening time yearly for 4 years, and since neither variant nor off-type plant was observed for the period, the characterization of ‘RYOKU NH-12’ was finished on Dec. 25, 2016 and the breeding was completed.

‘RYOKU NH-12’ is a blueberry clone distinguishable from the important blueberry varieties ‘Spartan’ and ‘Duke’, both of which are widely planted in the Chubu district of Japan, due to its characteristics including more compact plant size, comparatively early fruit ripening time, comparatively large and uniform fruit size, firmer and lower dehiscent fruits, sweeter fruits with better taste balance of sweetness and acidity, and better taste fruits. 20 plants of ‘RYOKU NH-12’ had been propagated by cutting means in Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan, and all the resulting plants were phenotypically indistinguishable from the original plant variety ‘RYOKU NH-12’. In addition, comparing to ‘Spartan’ and ‘Duke’, the claimed plant ‘RYOKU NH-12’ has more compact plant size, about 1 week earlier fruit ripening time (on average, around June 25 to July 1 of each year in Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan), larger and more uniform fruit size, and firmer and sweeter fruit when compared to its related variety ‘Spartan’, and has more compact plant size, lower dehiscent fruits, sweeter fruits, a better balance of sweetness and acidity, and better tasting of fruits when compared to the ‘Duke’ variety (see Table 1 below).

The following data defining characteristics of ‘RYOKU NH-12’ were collected from the asexual propagation carried out in Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan. The plant history was taken on a plot of 10 four-year-old plants growing in Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan. ‘RYOKU NH-12’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions, and the measurements provided might therefore vary if grown in different environments. Where averages are given, the sample size was 10.

B. Phenotypic Description of Vaccinium corymbosum L. (‘RYOKU NH-12’)

Characteristics of ‘RYOKU NH-12’ are further specifically described as follows:

• 1. Plant:
  • • Plant vigor.—Medium.
    • Growth habit.—Semi-upright.
    • Plant size.—Small.
    • Plant height.—1.3 m on average for 4-year old plant.
    • Plant spread.—0.8 m on average for 4-year old plant.
    • Color of bark of plant.—Dark Red, 187-B (The R.H.S. Colour Chart).
    • Cold hardiness.—Survived in winter frost (below −10° C.) with minimum damage.
    • Ease of propagation.—Propagated from each of the dormant wood cutting and the softwood stem cutting, where the rooting percentage was greater than 70% and comparable to the other varieties.
• 2. Trunk and branches:
  • • Suckering tendency.—Medium suckering tendency.
    • Surface texture (of 6-month-old shoots).—Medium smoothness.
    • Surface texture (of 3-year-old and older wood).—Medium smoothness.
    • Color of new twigs observed in the field.—Orangish yellow green.
    • Internode length.—16.2 mm on average.
• 3. Leaves:
  • • Length including petiole.—54.0 mm on average.
    • Width of leaf at widest point.—33.0 mm on average.
    • Shape.—Ovate.
    • Leaf margin.—Entire.
    • Color.—Upper surface of leaves: Dark Yellowish Green, 139-A. Lower surface of leaves: Strong Yellow Green, 143-A (The R.H.S. Colour Chart).
    • Pubescence.—Upper Surface of leaves: Absent. Lower Surface of leaves: Absent. Margin: Absent.
    • Timing of vegetative bud burst.—Medium.
• 4. Flowers:
  • • Shape.—Campanulate.
    • Color of opened flower.—Pale Yellow Green, 157-C (The R.H.S. Colour Chart).
    • Flowering period.—Mean date of 50% opening of flowers in Matsumoto-City, Nagano-prefecture, Japan is May 1 (2 days earlier than ‘Spartan’ variety).
    • Corolla.—Diameter: 7.4 mm on average. Length (from pedicel attachment point to corolla tip excluding the pedicel): 10.8 mm on average. Color: light green white. Anthocyanin coloration in corolla tube — Absent or very weak.
• 5. Reproductive organs:
  • • Pollen.—Color: Yellow.
• 6. Fruit:
  • • Mean date of 50% harvest in Matsumoto-City, Nagano-prefecture.—July 1 on average.
    • Diameter of calyx aperture on mature berry.—5.9 mm on average.
    • Size and shape of calyx lobe on mature berry.—Medium in size, outcurving, and having deep calyx basin.
    • Detachment force for ripe berries (easy, medium, hard).—Easy.
    • Fruit cluster density (sparse, medium, dense).—Medium.
    • Fruiting type.—On one-year old shoots only.
• 7. Berry:
  • • Cluster (tight, medium, loose).—Medium.
    • Weight (on well-pruned plants).—3.79 g on average.
    • Height.—14.9 mm on average.
    • Width.—20.4 mm on average.
    • Shape.—Oblate.
    • Skin of fruit, with bloom.—Light Purplish Blue, 98-D (The R.H.S. Colour Chart).
    • Intensity of fruit bloom.—Medium.
    • Skin of fruit, without bloom.—Greyish Purplish Blue, 103-A (The R.H.S. Colour Chart).
    • Immature berry color, with bloom.—Medium green.
    • Immature berry color, without bloom.—Yellow green.
    • Flesh color.—Light Yellow Green, 150-D (The R.H.S. Colour Chart).
    • Peel color.—Medium blue.
    • Color of seeds.—Moderate Orange, N167-C (The R.H.S. Colour Chart).
    • Pedicel scar.—Medium. 2.92 mm on average.
    • Firmness.—Medium.
    • Intensity of fruit sweetness.—High, Bx 14.5.
    • Intensity of fruit acidity.—High, pH 2.59.
    • Texture.—Somewhat soft pulp, very juicy, medium seeds.
• 8. Use: ‘RYOKU NH-12’ produce northern highbush blueberries suitable for fruit-picking farms, fresh fruit markets and processed fruit market, etc.
• 9. Resistance to disease, insects, and mites: ‘RYOKU NH-12’ grew vigorously and showed excellent bush survival in the field. It appears to be tolerant to stem blight (Botryosphaeria spp.) and root rot (Phytophthora cinnamoni), with very few young plants dying soon after planting. The response of ‘RYOKU NH-12’ to the various fungal species that cause summer leaf spots is typical of other northern highbush varieties, and fungicide applications may be needed after harvest in order to reduce foliar diseases and to retain leaves until autumn and make maximum flower bud set. Similarly, susceptibility to typical blueberry insect and mite pathogens, such as spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii), blueberry gall midge (Dasineura oxycoccana) and blueberry bud mite (Acalitus vaccini), is similar to other northern highbush cultivars.

TABLE 1
(Comparison of characteristics among varieties)
Charact.	UPOV
No.	No	Code	Characteristics	Definition
1	1	QN	Plant: vigor	Strength of growth
	(*)	(+)		level of plant
2		QN	Plant: size	Size of plant crown
3	2	QN	Plant:	Whole shape of
	(*)	G	growth habit	plant without
				pruning during
				dormant period
4	3	PQ	One-year-old	Color of middle
			shoot: color	part of shoot
				extended before
				dormant period
5		QN	One-year-old	Length of middle
			shoot: length	part of shoot
				extended before
				dormant period
6	4	QN	One-year-old	Length of
			shoot: length	internode of shoot
			of internode	extended before
			(upper half)	dormant period
				(upper half)
7	5	QN	Leaf: length	Length of leaf
	(*)			sufficiently
				expanded
8	6	QN	Leaf: width	Maxiumum width
				of mature leaf
9	7	QN	Leaf: ratio	Ratio of leaf length
			legnth/width	to maximum width
				(leaf length/
				leaf width)
10	8	PQ	Leaf: shape	Shape of mature
	(*)			leaf
11		QN	Leaf: shape	Shape of tip of
		(+)	of tip	mature leaf
12	9	QL	Leaf: color	Color of surface
			of upper	of mature leaf
			side
13	10	QN	Only varieties	Intensity of green
	(*)		with green leaf	color on surface
			color : Leaf:	of mature leaf
			intensity of
			green color
			on upper side
14	11	QL	Leaf: margin	Type of margin
	(*)			of mature leaf
15	12	QN	Flower bud:	Intensity of
			anthocyanin	anthocyanin
			coloration	coloration of flower
				bud occuring to one
				year old shoot
16	13	QN	Inflorescence:	Length of
			length	inflorescence at
			(excluding	flowering time
			peduncle)	(excluding
				peduncle)
17	14	PQ	Flower:	Shape of corolla at
			shape of	full bloom
			corolla
18		PQ	Flower: color	Color of corolla at
			of corolla	full bloom
19	15	QN	Flower: size of	Size of corolla
	(*)		corolla tube	tube at full bloom
20	16	QN	Flower:	Intensity of
	(*)		anthocyanin	anthocyanin
			coloration of	coloration on
			corolla tube	surface of corolla
				tube
21	17	QL	Flower:	Presence or absence
			ridges on	of ridges on corolla
			corolla tube	tube
22	18	QN	Fruit cluster:	Density of fruit per
			density	fruit cluster
23	19	QN	Unripe fruit:	Intensity of green
	(*)		intensity of	color of fruit before
			green color	ripening
24	20	QN	Fruit: size	Size of fruit at
	(*)			ripening
25	21	PQ	Fruit: shape in	Shape in
	(*)	(+)	longitudinal	longitudinal
			section	section of fruit at
				ripening
26		QN	Fruit: size of	Size of stem scar
		(+)	scar	of mature fruit
27		PQ	Fruit: shape of	Shape of calyx
		(+)	calyx cavity	cavity of mature
				fruit
28	22	QN	Fruit: attitude	Attitude of sepals
			of sepals	relative to mature
				fruit
29	23	QN	Fruit: type of	Direction of curving
			sepals	of sepals
30	24	QN	Fruit: diameter	Diameter of calyx
			of calyx basin	basin of mature fruit
31	25	QN	Fruit: depth of	Depth of calyx basin
			calyx basin	of mature fruit
32	26	QN	Fruit:	Intensity of bloom
	(*)		intensity	on surface of
			of bloom	mature fruit
33	27	PQ	Fruit: color of	Color of skin of
	(*)	G	skin (after re-	mature fruit after
			moval of bloom)	removal of bloom
34	28	QN	Fruit: firmness	Firmness of mature
		(*)		fruit
35		PQ	Fruit: color of	Color of flesh of
			flesh	mature fruit
36	29	QN	Fruit: sweetness	Sweetness of mature
	(*)	(+)		fruit
37	30	QN	Fruit: acidity	Acidity of mature
	(*)	(+)		fruit
38	31	QL	Plant: fruiting	Shoots to which
	(*)	G	type	fruit adnate
39		QN	Fruit: tendency	Tendency of
			of cracking	cracking during
				harvest season
40	32	QN	Time of	Time of beginning to
	(*)	(+)	vegetative bud	burst first vegetative
			burst	bud of each
				individual plant
41	33	QN	Time of begin-	Time of 10%
	(*)	(+)	ning of flower-	flowering occuring
		G	ing on one-	to one year old
			year-old shoot	shoot
				Standard
Charact.				Variety
No.	Method	Class	State	(Ex. Var.)
1	Obser-	3	weak	Bluetta,
	vation (a)			Meader
	VG	5	medium	Collins,
				Weymouth
		7	strong	Berkeley,
				Homebell, Woodard
2	Obser-	3	small	Avonblue,
	vation (a)			Bluetta, Flordablue
	VG
		5	medium	Bluecrop,
				Earliblue
		7	large	Dixi,
				Homebell, Tifblue
3	Obser-	1	upright	Becyblue,
	vation (a)			Bluechip,
	VG			June, Spartan
		2	semi-upright	Bluecrop,
				Lateblue
		3	spreading	Northland,
				Weymouth
4	Obser-	1	green
	vation (a)	2	greenish red
	VG	3	greyish red	Briteblue,
				Homebell
		4	reddish yellow	Berkeley, Dixi
		5	reddish brown	Blueray,
				Darrow, Weymouth
		6	dark red
5	Measure-	3	short	5
	ment mm	5	medium
	(a)	7	long
	VG
6	Obser-	3	short	Avonblue,
	vation (a)			Weymouth
	VG	5	medium
		7	long	Jersey
7	Measure-	3	short
	ment mm	5	medium
	(b)	7	long
	MS/VG
8	Measure-	3	narrow
	ment mm	5	medium
	(b)	7	broad
	MS/VG
9	Measure-	3	small
	ment (b)	5	medium
	MS/VG	7	large
10	Obser-	1	lanceolate
	vation (b)	2	ovate	Northland
	VG	3	elliptic	Berkeley,
				Collins, Coville
		4	oblong
11	Obser-	3	acute	Weymouth,
	vation (b)			Woodard
	VG	5	medium	Earliblue,
				Tifblue
		7	obtuse	Berkeley,
				Climax, Southland
12	Obser-	1	yellow
	vation (b)	2	green	Bluechip,
	VG			Bluecrop, Blueray
13	Obser-	3	light
	vation (b)	5	medium
	VG	7	dark
14	Obser-	1	entire
	vation (b)	2	serrate
	VG
15	Obser-	3	weak
	vation (a)	5	medium
	VG	7	strong
16	Measure-	3	short
	ment mm	5	medium
	(c)	7	long
	MS/VG
17	Obser-	1	urceolate	Bluecrop,
	vation (c)			Jersey
	VG	2	campanulate	Northblue,
				Northsky
		3	cylindrical
18	Obser-	1	white	Aliceblue,
	vation (c)			Bluetta,
	VG			Briteblue
		2	creamy white	Avonblue,
				Berkeley,
				Bluecrop
		3	greenish white	Blueray,
				Collins, Coville
		4	light pink	Bluebell, Delite,
				Dixi, Tifblue
19	Obser-	3	small
	vation (c)	5	medium
	VG	7	large
20	Obser-	1	absent or very
	vation (c)		weak
	VG	3	weak
		5	medium
		7	strong
21	Obser-	1	absent	Herbert
	vation (c)	9	present	Aliceblue
	VG			Berkeley,
				Dixi
22	Obser-	3	sparse	Homebell,
	vation (d)			Jersey,
	VG			Woodard
		5	medium	Bluechip,
				Bluecrop,
				Bluetta
		7	dense	Darrow,
				Herbert, Patriot
23	Obser-	3	light
	vation	5	medium
	VG	7	dark
24	Obser-	3	small	Homebell,
	vation (d)			June,
	VG			Northblue
		5	medium	Collins,
				Earliblue
		7	large	Berkeley,
				Bluecrop, Spartan
25	Obser-	1	elliptic
	vation (d)	2	round	Berkeley,
	VG			Jersey,
				Sharpblue
		3	oblate	Earliblue,
				Harrison,
				Woodard
26	Obser-	3	small
	vation (d)	5	medium
	VG	7	large
27	Obser-	1	star
	vation (d)	2	circular
	VG
28	Obser-	1	erect
	vation (d)	2	erect to
	VG		semi-erect
		3	semi-erect
		4	level
29	Obser-	1	incurving
	vation (d)	2	straight
	VG	3	reflexed
30	Obser-	3	small	Avonblue,
	vation (d)			Bluechip,
	VG			Sharpblue
		5	medium	Blueray,
				Woodard
		7	large	Coville,
				Darrow,
				Homebell
31	Obser-	3	shallow	Bluecrop,
	vation (d)			Rancocas,
	VG			Tifblue
		5	medium	Earliblue,
				Jersey
		7	deep	Blueray,
				Collins, Dixi
32	Obser-	1	very weak
	vation (d)	3	weak	Dixi,
	VG			Herbert,
				Sharpblue
		5	medium	Collins, Coville
		7	strong	Avonblue,
				Bluecrop, Tifblue
33	Obser-	1	light blue	Berkeley,
	vation (d)			Bluechip,
	VG			Tifblue
		2	medium blue	Blueray,
				Jersey, June
		3	dark blue	Dixi, Homebell
		4	blue red
34	Obser-	3	soft	Herbert,
	vation (d)			Homebell, Spartan
	VG/VS
		5	medium	Collins, Dixi
		7	firm	Coville, Southland
		9	very firm
35	Obser-	1	white	Berkeley,
	vation (d)			Bluecrop, Blueray
	VG
		2	cream	Earliblue
		3	light green	Bluechip,
				Lateblue, Sharpblue
		4	light purple	Aliceblue,
				Delite, Homebell
36	Obser-	3	low	Avonblue, Bluechip
	vation (d)
	VG	5	medium	Berkeley,
				Bluetta, Spartan
		7	high	Aliceblue,
				Bluecrop, Blueray
37	Obser-	3	low	Earliblue,
	vation (d)			Homebell
	VG	5	medium	Blueray, Herbert
		7	high	Collins,
				Elliott, Lateblue
38	Obser-	1	on one-year-old
	vation (c)		shoots only
	VG	2	on one-year-old
			and current
			season's shoots
39	Obser-	3	less	Earliblue,
	vation (d)			Herbert, Spartan
	VG
		5	medium	Avonblue,
				Berkeley, Bluechip
		7	much	Briteblue,
				Climax, Darrow
40	Measure-	3	early	Avonblue,
	ment			Beckyblue
	MG			Sharpblue
		5	medium	Darrow,
				Weymouth
		7	late	Elliot, Lateblue
41	Measure-	1	very early
	ment	3	early
	MG	5	medium	Bluecrop,
				Collins, Woodard
		7	late	Dixi,
				Herbert, Lateblue
		9	very late
		The
		present
		variety
	Charact.	RYOKU	Control Varieties
	No.	NH-12	Spartan	Duke
	1	5	6	7
	2	3	5	7
	3	2	1	2
	4	5	4	4
	5	7	7
		(164 mm)	(222 mm)	(245 mm)
	6	4	5	5
		(16.2 mm)	(17.0 mm)	(18.0 mm)
	7	3	5	5
		(54.0 mm)	(76.0 mm)	(71.0 mm)
	8	5	5	5
		(33.0 mm)	(37.0 mm)	(36.0 mm)
	9	4	5	5
		(1.64)	(2.05)	(1.97)
	10	2	3	3
	11
	12	2	2	2
	13	5	7	7
	14	1	1	1
	15	5	5	5
	16	7	5	5
		(35.7 mm)	(25.2 mm)	(26.4 mm)
	17	2	1-2	2
	18	2	2-3	2-3
	19	5	5	6
	20	1	1	3
	21	9	9	9
	22	5	5	5
	23	5	3	5
	24	7	7	7
		(3.79 g)	(4.56 g)	(3.96 g)
	25	3	3	3
	26	5	5	5
		(2.92 mm)	(2.30 mm)	(1.90 mm)
	27	2	2	2
	28	2	1	1
	29	3	1	3
	30	5	5	5
		(5.86 mm)	(5.80 mm)	(5.90 mm)
	31	7	7	5
		(2.72 mm)	(2.20 mm)	(1.50 mm)
	32	5	5	5
	33	2	2	2
	34	5	3	5
	35	1	2-3	1-2
	36	7	5	5
		(Bx 14.5)	(Bx 11.9)	(Bx11.1)
	37	7	5	3
		(pH 2.59)	(pH 3.12)	(pH 3.87)
	38	1	1	1
	39	3	3	5
	40	5	7	5
		Apr. 6,	Apr. 8, 2016	Apr. 5, 2016
		2016
	41	3	3	3
		Apr. 25,	Apr. 24, 2016	Apr. 24, 2016
		2016

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Vaccinium corymbosum L. plant named ‘RYOKU NH-12’, as described and illustrated herein.