Mango tree named ‘R10/8’

A new mango tree named ‘R10/8’, distinguished by its tendency to dwarfing and early maturing fruit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new mango tree ‘R10/8’ originated as a controlled cross of ‘Irwin’ (female parent, not patented) and an unknown male parent, likely ‘Kensington Pride’ (not patented). The initial cross was made at Katherine, Northern Territory, Australia, and seedlings resulting from the cross were planted in the same location. ‘R10/8’ was selected from among the seedlings for further observation due to its distinctive fruit and its tendency to dwarfing. In 2001, ‘R10/8’ was asexually propagated by grafting at Katherine, Northern Territory, Australia and was field planted the next year. ‘R10/8’ has since been observed to reproduce true to type over successive asexually propagated generations.

‘R10/8’ is distinguishable from its parents and other known varieties by the following characteristics:‘R10/8’ is poly-embryonic, as compared to ‘Hayden’ (not patented) and ‘B74’ (“Calypso”, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,770) which are mono-embryonic.‘R10/8’ is an early-maturing variety, as compared to ‘Kensington Pride’ which matures mid-season, and ‘Honey Gold’ (not patented) and ‘Parvin’ (not patented) which are late-maturing varieties.‘R10/8’ is a smaller tree than female parent ‘Irwin’ with shorter internodes.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed botanical description is based on observations recorded during the 2009 to 2012 growing seasons of three- to six-year-old trees planted in 2006 and grown on ‘RH34’ rootstock (not patented) at Berry Springs, Northern Territory, 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 Mini Colour Chart (2007).Tree:Vigor.—Low vigor.Height.—Small to medium, about 3.7 m.Spread.—About 4.3 m.Growth habit.—Spreading.Productivity.—Heavy, regular bearer.Trunk diameter.—20 cm at base.Bark texture.—Moderately rough.Bark color.—Mottled brown (greyed-orange) 165A.Branches: