A new and distinct blackberry cultivar that originated from seed produced from a cross between the female blackberry plant ‘NZ 9629-1’ (unpatented) and the male parent blackberry plant ‘ORUS 1350-2’ (unpatented). This new blackberry cultivar can be distinguished by its high yields of extremely large and very uniformly shaped berries with very good firmness, color, and flavor and that are borne on vigorous, completely thornless trailing plants.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: ‘COLUMBIA GIANT’ is a blackberry plant that isRubussubg.RubusWatson.

Variety denomination: The new blackberry plant claimed is of the variety denominated ‘Columbia Giant’Rubussubg.RubusWatson.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct blackberry cultivar designated ‘Columbia Giant’ and botanically known asRubussubg.RubusWatson. This new blackberry cultivar was discovered in Corvallis, Oreg. in July 2008 and originated from a cross between the female blackberry plant ‘NZ 9629-1’ (unpatented) and the male parent blackberry plant ‘ORUS 1350-2’ (unpatented). ‘Columbia Giant’'s spinelessness is derived from ‘Lincoln Logan’ (unpatented) that can be found as a parent four and five generations back in ‘Columbia Giant’'s pedigree. ‘Columbia Giant’ was selected from the same population as ‘Columbia Star’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 13/815,074, now U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,532). The original seedling of the new cultivar was asexually propagated at a nursery in Benton County, Oreg. The new cultivar was established in vitro from a cane cutting and microcuttings have been taken and rooted from this sort of culture. The present invention has been found to be stable and to reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following description of ‘Columbia Giant’ is based on observations taken from 2011 to 2014 growing seasons in trials in Corvallis and Aurora, Oreg. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic and cultural conditions. ‘Columbia Giant’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Color terminology follows The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart. London (R.H.S.) (5thedition, 2007).

Table 2 shows floricane and mature primocane characteristics of the new cultivar. Characteristics include diameter at base, diameter at midpoint, diameter at terminus, internode length at base, internode length at midpoint, internode length at terminus, presence of spines further than 0.6 m from the soil surface, presence of spines less than 0.6 m from the soil surface, floricane color at base, floricane color at midpoint, floricane color at terminus, floricane lateral length, floricane lateral strength, primocane color at base, primocane color at midpoint, primocane color at terminus, and floricane length (range).

TABLE 2Floricane and Mature Primocane Characteristics of ‘Columbia Giant’.CharacteristicColumbia GiantDiameter at base1.17cmDiameter at midpoint0.84cmDiameter at terminus0.19cmInternode length at base3.35cmInternode length at midpoint6.32cmInternode length at terminus3.95cmPresence of spines further than 0.6 mAbsentfrom the soil surfacePresence of spines less than 0.6 m fromAbsentthe soil surfaceFloricane color at base144AFloricane color at midpoint144AFloricane color at terminus144BFloricane lateral lengthMedium-longFloricane lateral strengthMediumPrimocane color at base144A with overtones of 185BPrimocane color at midpoint144APrimocane color at terminus146CFloricane length (range)2.12-6.22 m

Table 5 shows flower and flowering characteristics of the new cultivar. Flower and flowering characteristics include date1st bloom, date full bloom, date last bloom, petal color, number flowers per cluster, number of petals per flower, flower diameter, petal length, petal width, number of sepals per flower, peduncle length, rachis length, peduncle color, and cyme type.

Table 6 shows fruit and fruiting characteristics of the new cultivar. Fruit and fruiting characteristics include date 5% of fruit were ripe, date 50% of fruit were ripe, date 95% of fruit were ripe, weight of primary fruit, weight of secondary fruit, weight of tertiary fruit, diameter of primary fruit at equator, diameter of 2° fruit at equator, diameter of 3° fruit at equator, diameter of 1° fruit at poles: tip, diameter of 1° fruit at poles: base, diameter of 2° fruit at poles: tip, diameter of 2° fruit at poles: base, diameter of 3° fruit at poles: tip, diameter of 3° fruit at poles: base, berry length primary fruit, berry length 2° fruit, berry length 3° fruit, ratio of primary fruit length to width, shape description, uniformity of berry shape, color when full ripe, number of drupelets per fruit, drupelet weight, individual seed weight, glossiness, firmness, flavor, texture of fruit when chewed, drupelet skin resistance to abrasion, ease of separation of fruit from pedicel, machine harvestability, resistance to heat damage of fruit, berries per inflorescence—mean, berries per inflorescence range, soluble solids (%; in brix), pH, titratable acidity (% as citric acid), and yield (actual kg·plt−1).

TABLE 6Fruit and Fruiting Characteristics of ‘Columbia Giant’.CharacteristicColumbia GiantDate 5% of fruit were ripe25 JuneDate 50% of fruit were ripe5 JulyDate 95% of fruit were ripe19 JulyWeight of primary fruit14.07gWeight of secondary fruit13.27gWeight of tertiary fruit14.47gDiameter of primary fruit at equator2.14cmDiameter of 2° fruit at equator2.00cmDiameter of 3° fruit at equator1.97cmDiameter of 1° fruit at poles: tip1.17cmDiameter of 1° fruit at poles: base1.90cmDiameter of 2° fruit at poles: tip1.31cmDiameter of 2° fruit at poles: base2.08cmDiameter of 3° fruit at poles: tip1.32cmDiameter of 3° fruit at poles: base1.91cmBerry length primary fruit5.02cmBerry length 2° fruit4.67cmBerry length 3° fruit4.71cmRatio of primary fruit length to width2.36Shape descriptionLong conicUniformity of berry shapeExcellentColor when full ripeMostly 203B with N186Con ~5% drupeletsNumber of drupelets per fruit181.70Drupelet weight77.0mgIndividual seed weight26.9mgGlossinessMedium glossy to dullFirmnessVery goodFlavorVery goodTexture of fruit when chewedExcellentDrupelet skin resistance to abrasionGoodEase of separation of fruit from pedicelEasyMachine harvestabilityExcellentResistance to heat damage of fruitMedium to goodBerries per inflorescence - mean7.00Berries per inflorescence range5-10Soluble solids (%; in Brix)11.25pH3.26Titratable acidity (% as citric acid)18.5Yield (actual kg · p1t−1)6.86Disease ResponseUnder a typical, minimal,disease management programdoes not exhibit any particulardisease problems

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘Columbia Giant’ differs from the female parent ‘NZ 9629-1’ (unpatented) in that ‘Columbia Giant’ has medium-sized, glossy, very large fruit (12-17 g), while ‘NZ 9629-1’ has slightly pubescent fruit that are smaller (4.5 g).

‘Columbia Giant’ differs from the male parent blackberry plant ‘ORUS 1350-2’ (unpatented) in that it is spineless, has conic berries with excellent flavor, while ‘ORUS 1350-1’ (unpatented) is spiny and has barrel shaped berries with poor flavor.

‘Columbia Giant’ differs from the commercial variety ‘Marion’ (unpatented) in that ‘Columbia Giant’ is spineless and has large yields of very large, firm, and very uniformly shaped fruit while ‘Marion’ is spiny and bears medium yields of medium sized, and soft fruit that are unevenly shaped. ‘Columbia Giant’ differs from the commercial variety ‘Black Diamond’ (unpatented) in that ‘Columbia Giant’ carries the ‘Lincoln Logan’ (unpatented) source of spinelessness and therefore the canes are completely spineless and the plants are vigorous with fruit that are very large and have excellent, aromatic flavor, while ‘Black Diamond’ (unpatented) carries the ‘Austin Thornless’ (unpatented) source of spinelessness and so has spines on the base of the canes and the plants are not vigorous and they produce large fruit with a mild flavor. ‘Columbia Giant’ differs from the commercial variety ‘Columbia Star’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 13/815,074, now U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,532) based predominantly on a fruit size. ‘Columbia Giant’ fruit ranged from 12.2-16.3 g with mean primary fruit size of 14.1 g while ‘Columbia Star’ fruit ranged from 6.0-10.5 g with mean primary fruit size of 9.7 g.

The market use of Columbia Giant is primarily local fresh such as local farmers markets but it machine harvests well and processes well.