Blueberry plant named ‘Ridley7301’

The new blueberry plant variety ‘Ridley7301’ is a new and distinct low-chill tetraploid highbush blueberry (Vaccinium) variety of complex hybrid ancestry, based largely on V. corymbosum with some genes of V. darrowi. ‘Ridley7301’ is a commercial variety intended for use as fresh fruit for shipping, hand pick, customer pick, machine harvest and processing markets and as a home garden plant. The variety is produced from a cross of seed parent ‘M07-05-03’ (unpatented) and with pollen parent ‘Ridley 4507’ (US unpatented, AU PBR Cert. 6076), and can be distinguished by its outstanding features.

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Description

Latin name of the genus and species:

Genus—Vaccinium.

Species—hybrid.

Variety denomination: The new blueberry plant claimed is of the variety denominated ‘Ridley7301’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety of Vaccinium variety of complex hybrid ancestry, based largely on V. corymbosum with some genes of V. darrowi (Southern Highbush Blueberry), which has been given the variety denomination of ‘Ridley7301’. Its market class is that of a fruiting plant. ‘Ridley7301’ 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 program of Vaccinium at Lindendale, New Sout Wales, Australia in 2015 from the controlled pollination of seed parent ‘M07-05-03’ (unpatented) with pollen parent ‘Ridley 4507’ (US unpatented. AU PBR Cert. 6076). The seed parent was produced from a seedling selection of seed parent ‘S01-28-05’ (unpatented) and pollen parent ‘S01-29-01’ (unpatented). The pollen parent was produced from a seedling selection of seed parent ‘C99-42’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,695) and pollen parent ‘C00-008’ (unpatented).

The new cultivar was discovered and selected as a single plant within a population of 100 resulting Vaccinium plants from this controlled pollination in 2018 in a commercial field plantation environment at Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia.

The new blueberry cultivar was designated ‘M18-73-01’ and has been planted in replicated trials since 2019 at the commercial farms at Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cutting propagation since 2018 at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia 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.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of the new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia and that have been repeatedly observed and can be used to distinguish ‘M18-73-01’ (‘Ridley7301’) as a new and distinct cultivar of Vaccinium plant:

    • 1. very large fruit size;
    • 2. firm and juicy fruit crunch;
    • 3. firm and juicy fruit texture;
    • 4. excellent waxy bloom coating on fruit;
    • 5. sweet flavor;
    • 6. vigorous growth;
    • 7. semi-upright bush shape;
    • 8. early-season timing of flowering and fruiting; and
    • 9. suitability to machine harvesting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic illustrations show the typical appearance of the new variety ‘Ridley7301’. The colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describes the colors of the new plant.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the new variety ‘Ridley7301’, demonstrating the plant's semi-upright growth habit.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of the fruit of the new variety ‘Ridley7301’. Top row depicts top, bottom, and side views of the fruit. Middle and bottom rows depict cross section and longitudinal views of the fruit.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of the upper surface of the leaves of the new variety ‘Ridley7301’.

FIG. 4 is a photograph of the flower cluster of the new variety ‘Ridley7301’.

FIG. 5 is a photograph of the fruit cluster of the new variety ‘Ridley7301’.

 DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘Ridley7301’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions of the original selection. Dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are approximations and averages set forth as accurately as possible. The plant history was taken on plants approximately 3 years of age, and the descriptions relate to plants grown in the field in Tabulam from 2020-2023, New South Wales, Australia. Descriptions of fruit characteristics were made on fruit grown in Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia. Color designations are from Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, sixth edition.

  • Classification:
      • a. Family.—Ericaceae.
      • b. Genus.—Vaccinium.
      • c. Species.—Hybrid.
      • d. Common name.—Southern Highbush Blueberry.
  • Parentage:
      • a. Female parent.—‘M07-05-03’ (unpatented).
      • b. Male parent.—‘Ridley 4507’ (unpatented).
  • Market class: A fruiting plant intended for use as fresh fruit for shipping, hand pick, customer pick, machine harvest and processing markets and as a home garden plant.

PLANT

  • General:
      • a. Plant height.—Average 1.71 m.
      • b. Plant width.—Average 1.65 m.
      • c. Growth habit.—Upright to semi-upright.
      • d. Growth.—Strong.
      • e. Productivity.—Approximately 9 kg/year on 3 year old plants.
      • f. Cold hardiness.—Has not been tested/expected to be low.
      • g. Cold tolerance.—Has not been tested/expected to be low.
      • h. Chilling requirement.—Low (under 600 hours).
      • i. Fruiting type.—On one-year-old and current season shoots. Predominantly on one-year-old shoots with conventional pruning.
      • j. Tolerance to disease.—Has not been tested.
      • k. Leafing.—Vegetative bud burst is medium.
      • l. Twigginess.—Moderate.

STEM

  • General:
      • a. Suckering tendency.—Nil-low.
      • b. Mature cane color.—201D.
      • c. Mature cane length.—154 cm.
      • d. Mature cane width.—23 mm.
      • e. Bark texture.—Moderately rough, typical of species.
      • f. Surface texture of new wood.—Smooth.
      • g. Internode length on strong, new shoots.—11-35 mm; 21.8 mm average.
      • h. Fruiting wood.—Up to 22 cm in length; 18 cm average.

FOLIAGE

  • General:
      • a. Time of beginning of leaf bud burst.—Early-Mid (from approximately week 38 onwards at Tabulam, NSW, Australia).
      • b. Leaf color (top side).—NN137A.
      • c. Leaf color (under side).—147D.
      • d. Leaf arrangement.—Alternate.
      • e. Leaf shape.—Ovate/Elliptic.
      • f. Leaf margins.—Overall entire on UPOV TQ scale. Slightly crenate.
      • g. Undulation of margin.—Weak.
      • h. Leaf venation.—Reticulate.
      • i. Leaf apices.—Acute.
      • j. Leaf bases.—Acute.
      • k. Leaf length (without petiole).—Average 68 mm.
      • l. Leaf width.—Average 34 mm.
      • m. Leaf length/width ratio.—2:1.
      • n. Leaf nectaries.—Absent.
      • o. Leaf glaucosity on upper side.—Medium.
      • p. Pubescence of upper side.—Absent.
      • q. Pubescence of lower side.—Absent.
      • r. Cross sectional profile.—Flat.
      • s. Longitudinal profile.—Slightly concave.
      • t. Attitude.—Semi-upright.
  • Petioles:
      • a. Length.—Average 4.9 mm.
      • b. Width.—Average 2 mm.
      • c. Color.—144C.

FLOWERS

  • General:
      • a. Time of beginning of flowering.—Mid (week 17 at Tabulam, NSW Australia).
      • b. Time of 50% anthesis.—Week 27 at Tabulam, NSW Australia.
      • c. Flower shape.—Urceolate.
      • d. Flower bud density.—Moderate.
      • e. Flower fragrance.—Absent to weak, sweet.
  • Corolla:
      • a. Color.—155A.
      • b. Length.—9-11 mm.
      • c. Width.—6-8 mm average.
      • d. Aperture width.—3-5 mm.
      • e. Anthocyanin coloration of corolla.—Absent to weak.
      • f. Corolla ridges.—Present.
      • g. Protrusion of stigma.—Nil.
  • Inflorescence:
      • a. Length.—28-36 mm, average 31 mm.
      • b. Diameter.—Average 32 mm.
      • c. Length of peduncle.—Average 17.7 mm.
      • d. Surface texture of peduncle.—Smooth.
      • e. Color of peduncle.—144D.
      • f. Length of pedicel.—6 mm average.
      • g. Surface texture of pedicel.—Smooth.
      • h. Color of pedicel.—144D.
      • i. Number of flower clusters per piece of fruiting wood.—4-13, average 8.
      • j. Number of flowers per cluster.—5-9, average 7.
      • k. Flower cluster density.—Moderate.
  • Calyx (with sepals):
      • a. Diameter.—5-6 mm.
      • b. Color of receptacle.—143B.
  • Stamen:
      • a. Length.—7 mm.
      • b. Number per flower.—10.
      • c. Filament color.—145D.
  • Pistil:
      • a. Length.—8-9 mm.
      • b. Style length.—7-8 mm.
      • c. Ovary color (exterior).—145B.
  • Anther:
      • a. Length.—5 mm.
      • b. Number.—10.
      • c. Color.—N167A.
  • Pollen:
      • a. Abundance.—High.
      • b. Color.—158C.
      • c. Self-compatibility.—86%.

FRUIT

  • General:
      • a. Time of fruit ripening.—Early (from week 21-24 in Tabulam, NSW, Australia).
      • b. Time of 50% maturity.—Week 31-35 at Tabulam, NSW, Australia.
      • c. Fruit development period.—40-50 days.
      • d. Cluster density.—Moderate, 5-9 berries per cluster.
      • e. Unripe fruit color.—143C.
      • f. Ripe berry color (fruit bloom removed).—203B.
      • g. Berry surface wax abundance.—Strong.
      • h. Berry flesh color.—157C.
      • i. Berry weight.—3 grams.
      • j. Berry height from calyx to scar.—13 mm.
      • k. Berry diameter.—21 mm.
      • l. Berry shape.—Oblate.
      • m. Fruit stem scar.—Small (dry).
      • n. Sweetness when ripe.—Moderate to high, 13.8° Brix.
      • o. Firmness when ripe.—Firm (69% Durofel).
      • p. Acidity when ripe.—Low to moderate.
      • q. Storage quality.—Performs adequately in storage trials for up to 4 weeks.
      • r. Suitability for mechanical harvesting.—Moderate.
      • s. Self-fruitfulness.—86%.
      • t. Uses.—Fresh fruit for shipping, customer pick and processing markets and as a home garden plant.

SEED

  • General:
      • a. Seed abundance in fruit.—High.
      • b. Seed color.—165B.
      • c. Seed dry weight.—Not measured.
      • d. Seed length.—1 mm.

COMPARISON BETWEEN PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS

When ‘Ridley7301’ is compared to the seed parent ‘M-07-05-03’ (unpatented) it can be observed that ‘M-07-05-03’ has comparatively poor flavor, firmness and plant vigor. ‘M-07-05-03’ has not been maintained so is not available for further comparison.

Table 1, below, provides comparisons between ‘Ridley7301’, its pollen parent, ‘Ridley 4507’ (AU PBR Grant Certificate 6076), and the commercial cultivars that it has the most similarity to, ‘Ridley 1602’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 31,605) and ‘Ridley 4514’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,163). The commercial cultivars of most similarity were selected based on similar plant vigor, plant growth habit, fruit cluster density, in accordance with useful grouping characteristics identified in the UPOV test guidelines for blueberries (TG/137/5 Rev).

TABLE 1 ‘Ridley ‘Ridley ‘Ridley 4507’ 1602’ 4514’ (AU (U.S. (U.S. PBR Plant Plant ‘Ridley- Cert. Pat. No. Pat. No. Organ Context 7301’ 6076) 31,605) 27,163) Plant Vigor Strong Medium Strong Strong to strong to very strong Plant Growth Upright Semi- Upright Upright habit to semi- upright to semi- to semi- upright upright upright One-year- Color Greenish Greenish Green Green old shoot red red One-year- Length of Medium Medium Medium Medium old shoot internode Leaf Length Long Medium Long to Medium very long to long Leaf Width Broad Medium Medium Broad to to broad very broad Leaf Shape Ovate/ Elliptic Elliptic Elliptic elliptic Leaf Color of Green Green Green Green upper side Leaf Intensity of Medium Light to Medium Medium green color medium on upper side (varieties with green leaf color only) Leaf Margin Entire Entire Entire Entire Flower Anthocyanin Weak Weak Medium Weak bud coloration Flower Shape of Urceolate Urceolate Urceolate Urceolate corolla Flower Size of Medium Medium Medium Medium corolla tube Flower Anthocyanin Absent or Absent or Absent Absent coloration of very weak very weak or very or very corolla tube weak weak Flower Ridges on Present Present Present Present corolla Fruit Density Medium Medium Medium Medium cluster Unripe Intensity of Light Light Light Light fruit green color Fruit Size Very large Large Large Large Fruit Shape in Oblate Oblate Oblate Oblate longitudinal section Fruit Attitude of Straight Straight Straight Straight sepals Fruit Diameter Large Medium Large Medium of calyx to large to large basin Fruit Depth of Medium to Deep Deep Deep calyx deep basin Fruit Intensity Strong Strong Strong Strong of bloom Fruit Color of Dark blue Dark blue Dark blue Dark skin blue Fruit Firmness Firm Firm Very firm Firm Fruit Sweetness Medium to High to High to Medium high very high very high to high Fruit Acidity Low to Medium Medium to Low medium high Time of Vegetative Medium Medium Very early Late bud burst to late Time of Beginning Early Early to Very early Very of medium to early early flowering Time of Beginning Early Early to Very early Early to of fruit medium to early medium ripening

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant named ‘Ridley7301’, as illustrated and described herein.

Referenced Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
PP20695 February 2, 2010 Wright et al.
PP26972 July 26, 2016 Bell
PP31605 March 31, 2020 Bell
Other references
  • Upov Pluto 20240729 for Ridley 4507retrieved on Jul. 29, 2024 at https://pluto.upov.int/result, 3 pp. (Year: 2024).
Patent History
Patent number: PP36402
Type: Grant
Filed: Apr 11, 2024
Date of Patent: Jan 21, 2025
Assignee: Mountain Blue Orchards PTY LTD (Lindendale)
Inventor: Ridley Bell (Lindendale)
Primary Examiner: June Hwu
Application Number: 18/445,950
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Blueberry (PLT/157)
International Classification: A01H 5/08 (20180101); A01H 6/36 (20180101);