Seedless grapevine plant named ‘ARD8’

A new distinct variety of grapevine named ‘ARD8’ abundantly forms attractive crispy seedless berries with a red skin coloration, lax and large clusters which display a naturally sweet flavor with the fruit commonly ready for harvesting during August in San Joaquin Valley of Central California, U.S.A, and displays good eating qualities as a table grape, with firmness that renders the fruit well amenable for handling, shipping and storage.

Classification: The present invention relates to a newVitis viniferaGrapevine.

Variety denomination: The new Grapevine has a varietal denomination Seedless Grapevine Plant Named ‘ARD8’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A breeding program was initiated during the late 1990's near Bakersfield in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. In 2011, during this breeding program, a new variety ofVitis viniferawas created by deliberate cross breeding of two parent plants by emasculation of the pollen bearing organ of the female and introducing pollen from another male origin. The female parent of the new variety was HO-65, which is a mid-late red seedless grape with a sweet flavor (non-patented in the United States). The male parent (i.e. the pollen parent) of the new variety was 60-85+1, a meaty and crispy red seedless variety (non-patented in the United States).

The parentage of the new variety can be summarized as follows:
HO-65 X 60-85+1

An artificial pollination was created, and the result was an embryo which possessed unique genetic qualities. The rudiments resulting from the above pollination were embryo rescued.

In 2012 the plant was transplanted to Bakersfield in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California.

It was found that the new grapevine of the present invention possesses the following combination of characteristics:(a) Forms attractive crispy seedless berries with a red skin coloration in lax and large clusters which display a naturally sweet flavor;(b) Commonly bears fruit during the month of August in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California, U.S.A.;(c) Bears fruit that is firm and is well amenable for storage, handling, and shipping; and(d) Produces 42 bunches per vine, and an average of about 1-2 bunches per shoot, at a total of 68 lbs. of fruit per vine.

The new variety during observation to date has displayed no visible disease, and has displayed an ability to well resist cold, drought and heat; but is sensitive to direct exposure to sun and wind. The fruit of the new variety has been found to display excellent handling and shipping qualities combined with desirable dessert eating qualities.

The new variety of the present invention has been found to undergo asexual propagation beginning in 2013 near Bakersfield in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California, U.S.A. by bud grafting on mature ‘Thompson Seedless’ rootstock (non-patented in the United States). Such asexual propagation has been conducted thereafter in successive years to date and has shown that the characteristics of the new variety are strictly transmissible from one generation to another. Accordingly, the new variety undergoes asexual propagation in a true to type manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new variety ‘ARD8’ is a red seedless table grape with a high production, e.g., about 42 bunches per vine, and an average of about 1-2 bunches per shoot.

Asexual reproduction by micro propagation of the new variety as performed near Bakersfield, Calif., U.S.A., shows that the forgoing and other distinguishing characteristics come true to form and are established and transmitted through succeeding propagations.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The chart used in the identification of colors is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY (3rdEdition). The description is based on the observation of plants growing on ‘Thompson Seedless’ rootstock outdoors near San Joaquin Valley of Central California, U.S.A.

Date of bud burst in Bakersfield Calif.: March 2nd

YOUNG SHOOT CHARACTERISTICS:Openness of tipWide openDensity of prostrate hairs on tipAbsent or very sparseAnthocyanin coloration of prostrateNonehairs on tipDensity of erect hairs on tipAbsent or very sparse

YOUNG LEAF CHARACTERISTICS:Color of upper side of bladeYellow green 152AColor of lower side of bladeYellow green 152ADensity of erect hairs between mainAbsent or very sparseveins on upper side of bladeDensity of erect hairs between mainAbsent or very sparseveins on lower side of bladeDensity of prostrate hairs on mainAbsent or very sparseveins on upper side of bladeDensity of prostrate hairs on mainAbsent or very sparseveins on lower side of blade

SHOOT CHARACTERISTICS:Attitude (before tying)Semi-erectColor of dorsal side of internodesYellow green 144BColor of ventral side of internodesYellow green 144AColor of dorsal side of nodesYellow green 144BColor of ventral side of nodesYellow green 144ADensity of erect hairs on internodesAbsent or very sparseDensity of prostrate hairs onAbsent or very sparseinternodesLength of tendrils6.7 inchesDiameter of tendrils0.1 inchesColor of tendrilsYellow green 145ANumber of tendrils at bloom3Positioning of first flowering andThe first bunch is infruiting nodethe 3rdnodeInflorescence number per flowering1-2shoot

First bloom in Bakersfield, Calif.: April 30th

Date of full bloom in Bakersfield, Calif.: May 5th

MATURE LEAF CHARACTERISTICS:Size of blade7.5 inches × 7.5 inchesShape of bladePentagonalBase descriptorsPentagonalLeaf marginDoubly serrateLeaf apexAcuteBlistering of upper side of bladeWeakDepth of upper lateral sinusesAbsent or very shallowNumber of lobesFive(Only varieties with lobed leaves)ClosedArrangement of lobes of upperlateral sinusesArrangement of lobes of petioleWide opensinusLength of teeth0.65 inchesRatio length/width of teethMediumShape of teethBoth sides convexDensity of prostrate hairs betweenAbsent or very sparsemain veins on lower side of bladeDensity of erect hairs on main veinsMediumon lower side of bladeDensity of erect hairs between theAbsent or very sparsemain veins on upper side of bladeDensity of prostrate hairs on mainAbsent or very sparseveins on upper side of bladeLength of petiole compared to lengthModerately shorterof middle veinTop side colorGreen 137ABottom side colorYellow green 147BTexture of upper side of bladeRoughTexture of lower side of bladeRoughVein color on upper bladeYellow green 145BVein color on lower bladeYellow green 145DVenation pattern for upper bladeNetlike venationVenation patten for lower bladeNetlike venationPetiole length6 inchesPetiole diameter0.14 inchesPetiole colorYellow green 145APetiole textureSmooth

Date of beginning of berry ripening in Bakersfield Calif.: July 28th

Market use of observed plants: Fresh market

AGE AND GROWING CONDITIONS

Six years growing under Y system in South Joaquin Valley (hot, dry summers).

SHIPPING CHARACTERISTICS

Fruit was in cold storage. Stored in poly bags inside Styrofoam boxes with sulfur pads. After 60 Days: rachises were 90% green; 20% berry shattering; no berry wrinkling or cracks were apparent.

DNA PROFILE

To further the characterize the new variety DNA was extracted from plant samples and a DNA profile was obtained in California USA using base pairs for 10 standard microsatellite DNA markers. The data is presented hereafter.

The ‘ARD8’ variety has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotypic expression may vary somewhat with changes in light intensity and duration, cultural practices, and other environmental conditions.

Additional information relating to plant and fruit disease and pest resistance or susceptibility has not been observed to date. Specification of the plant hardiness zone and the heat/cold resistance has not been observed to date.