Abstract:
A new and distinct mandarin cultivar which originated from seed produced by a hand pollinated cross of OSC 1466 (non-patented)×ORUS 1117-11 (non-patented) is provided. It is distinguished by production of fruit that combines early season maturity, large fruit size, smooth rind texture with deep orange color, and a rich sweet flavor. It further distinguishes itself by being very low seeded and relatively easy to peel.

Description:
Latin name of the genus and species: The mandarin cultivar of this invention is botanically identified as  Citrus reticulate.    
     Variety denomination: The variety denomination is ‘US Early Pride’. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is to a new and distinct variety of mandarin orange tree which is named ‘US Early Pride’. ‘US Early Pride’ is a mandarin selection developed by the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service at Groveland, Fla. from an irradiated bud of the diploid mandarin cultivar ‘Fallglo’, an early season maturing variety. The pedigree of ‘Fallglo’ is ‘Bower’ by ‘Temple’. 
     ‘US Early Pride’ originated as a single plant and was asexually reproduced by grafting budwood onto rootstocks. ‘US Early Pride’ was selected and propagated as follows. Irradiation of budwood from ‘Fallglo’ trees was accomplished in 1991 using 3 k RAD units of gamma irradiation from a Cobalt-60 irradiation source. Buds from this irradiation were propagated onto rootstocks in the greenhouse at the A.H. Whitmore Citrus Research Foundation Farm in Lake Co., Fla. where the trees were grown to field-plantable sized trees. These trees were planted in 1992 at the A.H. Whitmore farm. Fruit on the trees were evaluated in 1995 and two trees producing seedless fruit were identified. One of the trees (evaluated as 1-62-122, ‘US Early pride’) preformed better than the other and was selected for further evaluation. Buds were taken in 1996 and trees were propagated onto four rootstocks: Swingle, Cleopatra mandarin, sour orange and sun chu sha. Twenty trees were planted at the A.H. WHITMORE farm in 1997. Fruit production on these trees commenced in 2000. Additional propagations of ‘US EARLY PRIDE’ were maintained in the greenhouse at the A.H. WHITMORE farm. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     All major color code designations are made with reference to The Royal Horticultural Society Color Chart designations. 
     The present invention provides a novel mandarin variety having the characteristics described and illustrated herein. The variety, ‘US EARLY PRIDE’, is a mandarin selection developed at the USDA in Lake Co., Fla. from an irradiated bud of the diploid mandarin cultivar ‘Fallglo’, an early season maturing variety. ‘US EARLY PRIDE’ combines early season maturity, moderately sized fruit, pebbled rind texture with a deep orange color, and a rich sweet flavor similar to ‘Fallglo’. It further distinguishes itself by being very low seeded (&lt;1 seed/fruit) and relatively easy to peel. 
     Early maturing mandarin cultivars in production include ‘Fallglo’ (the original cultivar from which ‘US EARLY PRIDE’ was derived). ‘Fallglo’ is seedy (approximately 20-40 seeds/fruit). We are not aware of other early season mandarins that are low seeded. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a 14-year-old tree of ‘US EARLY PRIDE’ on Swingle rootstock. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates fruit of ‘US Early Pride’ sampled from a 14-year-old tree at Lake Co., Fla. in 2008. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates clusters of ‘US Early Pride’ fruit on a 14-year-old tree at Lake Co., Fla. in 2008. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a floral inflorescence of ‘US Early Pride’. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Evaluation of ‘US Early Pride’ began on the original tree at A.H. WHITMORE farm in 1995. Tree size, growth and fruit production characteristics and fruit quality characteristics have been compared to ‘Fallglo’ from the same location. ‘US Early Pride’ trees have also been evaluated for two years at the USDA farm in St. Lucie Co., Fla. 
     Tree size and growth characteristics of ‘US Early Pride’ have been consistent with ‘Fallglo’ throughout the evaluation. Growth of both ‘Fallglo’ and the ‘US Early Pride’ selection has generally been upright in the first five years followed by a tendency to grow into spherical shape in ensuing years. The 14 year-old ‘US Early Pride’ tree at the A.H. Whitmore farm averaged approximately 3.7 m tall and approximately 4.1 m wide with normal upright growth habit yielding a canopy volume of approximately 32.7 m 3 . In comparison 14 year-old ‘Fallglo’ tree have averaged 3.4 m tall and 3.0 m wide. 
     Scion circumference for ‘US Early Pride’ on rootstock was approximately 55 cm with the rootstock circumference approximately 76 cm. Scion circumference for 14 year-old ‘Fallglo’ trees averaged 51 cm. 
     ‘US Early Pride’ distinguishes itself by being very low seeded (&lt;1 seed per fruit) in all situations of cross-pollination, differing from ‘Fallglo’ which will set as many as about 40 seeds in cross-pollinated situations. In Lake Co., Fla. ‘US Early Pride’ fruit matures in the fall (October). ‘US Early Pride’ holds its fruit quality characteristics through November. Fruit size is large, approximately 58 mm in height×approximately 68 mm width) averaging approximately 145 grams per fruit. Fruit are oblate in shape with a deep orange rind color, RHS 22A and a smooth rind texture. Flesh color is deep orange (RHS N25B) and finely textured. Fruit are juicy, with a rich sweet flavor when mature. The fruit are relatively easy to peel. Tree growth habit is upright with production commencing in the second year after planting. Alternate bearing does not appear to be a problem. ‘US Early Pride’ was known throughout experimental evaluations as 1-62-122. The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) color numbering system is used herein for the color description of the rind, seed bark, leaf, flower, flesh color and other interest of the ‘US Early Pride’ tree. 
     Leaves of ‘US Early Pride’ are ovate in shape and convex in cross section, with an acuminate apex with slight serration and a cuneate base and are dark green in color, leaf abaxial color is RHS 137C (Green) and Leaf adaxial color is RHS 137 B (Green) (Table 2). Petioles are short and normal lacking wings. The selection is thornless. Flowers of ‘US Early Pride’ are hermaphroditic with white petals and yellow anthers and are borne in clusters. In Lake Co. Fla. buds form in late-January. Flowering occurs late February through early-April. Flowers have a medium fragrance. Pollen viability for ‘US Early Pride’ is very low (&lt;10% germination). Pollen grains are smaller (18-20 microns) in comparison to ‘Fallglo’ (ca. 90% germination, pollen grains ca. 50 microns in diameter). 
     Fruit of ‘US Early Pride’ are oblate with no neck (Table 1). The fruit has the tendency to produce a navel at the blossom end. The fruit is large for a mandarin averaging 68 mm in diameter and 58 mm in height with a smooth, strong orangeish yellow rind color (RHS 22A) and relatively conspicuous, slightly raised oil glands (Table 4). The rind in somewhat adherent (relatively easy to peel) at maturity and relatively thin averaging approximately 2.7 mm in thickness. The fruit interior has a fine flesh texture with 11-13 segments and a hollow axis of medium size at maturity. The fruit are juicy averaging slightly over 55% juice and average 145 g in weight. The soluble solids, acids and solids/acid ratio for ‘US Early Pride’ is shown in Table 3. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Fruit characteristics of ‘US Early Pride’ mandarins. 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Fruit shape 
                 oblate 
               
               
                 Fruit diameter 
                 68 mm 
               
               
                 Fruit height 
                 58 mm 
               
               
                 Fruit: shape of basal end 
                 flat 
               
               
                 Fruit: shape of distal end 
                 flat 
               
               
                 Fruit neck 
                 Not present 
               
               
                 Style 
                 Not persistent 
               
               
                 Rind texture 
                 Smooth 
               
               
                 Oil glands 
                 Conspicuous, slightly raised 
               
               
                 Rind color 
                 RHS 22A (Orange) 
               
               
                 Rind thickness 
                 2.7 mm 
               
               
                 Albedo thickness 
                 1.2 mm 
               
               
                 Albedo color 
                 RHS 158A (Yellow white) 
               
               
                 Rind adherence 
                 moderately weak 
               
               
                 Rind separation 
                 relatively easy 
               
               
                 Flesh (pulp) color 
                 RHS N25B (Orange) 
               
               
                 Flesh (pulp) texture 
                 fine 
               
               
                 Number of segments 
                 11-13 
               
               
                 Axis: structure 
                 hollow 
               
               
                 Axis: size 
                 8.3 mm 
               
               
                 Navel presence 
                 occasional 
               
               
                 # seeds/fruit 
                 &lt;1 on average (cross 
               
               
                   
                 pollinated conditions) 
               
               
                 Seed embryonic 
                 monoembryonic 
               
               
                 Seed coat color 
                 RHS 157A (Yellow white) 
               
               
                 Seed cotyledon color 
                 RHS 145C (Yellow green) 
               
               
                 Seed inner coat color 
                 RHS 166D (Greyed orange) 
               
               
                 Fruit weight 
                 145 g 
               
               
                 % Juice 
                 55% 
               
               
                 % Soluble solids (at maturity) 
                 11-12% 
               
               
                 % Acid (at maturity) 
                 1.1-0.9% 
               
               
                 Season of maturity 
                 early  
               
               
                   
                 (mid October-late November) 
               
               
                 Fruit holding ability on tree past maturity 
                 1 month 
               
               
                 Fruit quality after storage (x temp., Y days) 
                 Excellent (5° C., 21 days) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Tree, leaf, and seed characteristics (for X year old trees). 
               
               
                 Data from Lake Co., FL. 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Tree height 
                 3.7 m 
               
               
                   
                 Crown diameter 
                 4.1 m 
               
               
                   
                 Crown shape 
                 upright 
               
               
                   
                 Trunk circumference  
                 55 cm 
               
               
                   
                 (for scion on XX rootstock) 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Trunk surface texture 
                 Smooth 
               
               
                   
                 Bud-union characteristics 
                 shelf with Swingle citrumelo 
               
               
                   
                 Rootstock-scion compatibility 
                 No incompatibility known 
               
               
                   
                 Tree vigor 
                 moderately vigorous 
               
               
                   
                 Bark color 
                 RHS N 199A 
               
               
                   
                 Leaf shape 
                 ovate 
               
               
                   
                 Leaf cross section 
                 concacave 
               
               
                   
                 Leaf blade length 
                 6.8 cm 
               
               
                   
                 Leaf blade width 
                 2.8 cm 
               
               
                   
                 Leaf apex 
                 acuminate 
               
               
                   
                 Leaf base 
                 cuneate 
               
               
                   
                 Leaf abaxial color 
                 RHS 137C (Green) 
               
               
                   
                 Leaf adaxial color 
                 RHS 137B (Green) 
               
               
                   
                 Petiole length 
                 12 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Petiole width 
                 1.2 mm 
               
               
                   
                 Petiole color 
                 RHS 37C (Green) 
               
               
                   
                 Thorniness 
                 Not present 
               
               
                   
                 Inflorescence type 
                 Clustered 
               
               
                   
                 Flowering habit 
                 Flowers once per year 
               
               
                   
                 Flower size 
                 9 mm (Small) 
               
               
                   
                 Flower structure 
                 complete 
               
               
                   
                 Petal color 
                 white 
               
               
                   
                 Anther color 
                 yellow 
               
               
                   
                 Pollen size 
                 ca. 20 microns 
               
               
                   
                 Pollen viability 
                 low (&lt;10% germination) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Mean and standard deviation (s.d.) of soluble solids, acid and solids/acid 
               
               
                 ratio for ‘US Early Pride’ and ‘Fallglo’ (control trees) 2009 crop year. 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 ‘Fallglo’ 
                 US Early Pride’ 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Mean 
                 sd 
                 Mean 
                 sd 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Total soluble solids 
               
             
          
           
               
                 2-October 
                 10.6 
                 0.29 
                 9.65 
                 0.25 
               
               
                 14-October 
                 10.3 
                 0.3 
                 10.3 
                 0.1 
               
               
                 29-October 
                 11.3 
                 0.1 
                 10.7 
                 0.17 
               
               
                 13-November 
                 11.7 
                 0.17 
                 11.3 
                 0.17 
               
               
                 25-November 
                 12.3 
                 0.4 
                 11.9 
                 0.17 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Total acidity 
               
             
          
           
               
                 2-October 
                 1.2 
                 0.08 
                 2.5 
                 2.4 
               
               
                 14-October 
                 1.2 
                 0.08 
                 1.1 
                 0.1 
               
               
                 29-October 
                 1.1 
                 0.09 
                 1.0 
                 0.1 
               
               
                 13-November 
                 1.0 
                 0.08 
                 1.0 
                 0.1 
               
               
                 25-November 
                 0.9 
                 0.12 
                 0.9 
                 0.1 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Solids/Acid ratio 
               
             
          
           
               
                 2-October 
                 8.6 
                 0.3 
                 5.9 
                 3 
               
               
                 14-October 
                 8.7 
                 0.3 
                 9.6 
                 0.8 
               
               
                 29-October 
                 10.2 
                 0.7 
                 10.5 
                 0.5 
               
               
                 13-November 
                 12.1 
                 0.7 
                 11.5 
                 0.4 
               
               
                 25-November 
                 13.1 
                 1.1 
                 12.9 
                 1.1 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Table 4 below compares the fruit height, width, mass and rind color between fruit harvested from the parent ‘Fallglo’ as compared to the US Early Pride mandarin orange. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Fruit Quality Fallglo scion vs Early Pride scion (Lake County, Florida) 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 Height 
                 Width 
                 Mass 
                 Rind Color 
               
               
                   
                 Scion 
                 (mm) 
                 (mm) 
                 (g) 
                 (a/b) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Fallglo 
                 64.8 
                 79.0 
                 225.2 
                 0.197 
               
               
                   
                 SD 
                 ±3.7 
                 ±4.5 
                 ±35.2 
                 ±0.133 
               
               
                   
                 Early Pride 
                 58.7 
                 75.2 
                 187.1 
                 0.272 
               
               
                   
                 SD 
                 ±2.4 
                 ±3.1 
                 ±18.7 
                 ±0.112 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Comparison of ‘US Early Pride’ with ‘Fallglo’. 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Trait 
                 ‘US Early Pride’ 
                 ‘Fallglo’ 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Maturity 
                 mid October 
                 early October 
               
               
                   
                 Seeds/fruit 
                 &lt;1 
                 20-40 
               
               
                   
                 RHS rind color 
                 RHS 22a 
                 RHS 22a 
               
               
                   
                 Rind texture 
                 smooth 
                 smooth 
               
               
                   
                 Fruit weight 
                 145 g 
                 150 g 
               
               
                   
                 Fruit height/width 
                 0.86 
                 0.88 
               
               
                   
                 Alternate bearing 
                 minimal 
                 minimal 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Table 6 is another comparison of fruit quality comparing the Fallglo scion (parent plant) to the US Early Pride scion on three different dates of harvest. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Fruit Quality Fallglo scion vs Early Pride scion (Lake County Florida) 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Date 
                 Scion 
                 Brix 
                 BAR 
                 Color Number 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 31-October 
                 Fallglo 
                 11.0 
                 8.64 
                 43.0 
               
               
                   
                 Early Pride 
                 10.7 
                 9.57 
                 42.2 
               
               
                 21-November  
                 Fallglo 
                 11.5 
                 8.71 
                 44.3 
               
               
                   
                 Early Pride 
                 11.6 
                 10.56 
                 43.7 
               
               
                 4-December 
                 Fallglo 
                 12.3 
                 9.72 
                 45.5 
               
               
                   
                 Early Pride 
                 11.8 
                 11.63 
                 44.8 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Color number is a value that is determined by measuring juice color with a Greytag Macbeth Color Eye. The color number is derived from an equation (State of Florida, Department of Citrus Official rules affecting the Florida Citrus Industry, chapter 20-65 (20-65.005 Calculation)). Testing was done by offering consumers two cups containing segments of either Fallglo or US Early Pride. They did not know what they were testing, just asked to identify which sample they preferred. 
     Table 7 shows results of consumer testing with Fallglo and Early Pride. 53% of the respondents indicated that the absence of seeds was important. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 7 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Consumer Test Results 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Group 
                 Respondents 
                 Preference 
                 % 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 All 
                 255 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 113 
                 Fallglo 
                 44.3 
               
               
                   
                   
                 142 
                 Early Pride 
                 55.7 
               
               
                   
                 Males 
                 104 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 47 
                 Fallglo 
                 45.2 
               
               
                   
                   
                 57 
                 Early Pride 
                 54.8 
               
               
                   
                 Females 
                 145 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 63 
                 Fallglo 
                 43.4 
               
               
                   
                   
                 82 
                 Early Pride 
                 56.6 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Respondents is the number of folks who tasted fruit and provided a response, obviously, we kept track of sex of the respondents. The % column is the number of respondents that preferred one selection over the other, divided by the total number of respondents.