Patent Publication Number: US-PP32216-P3

Title: Blueberry plant named ‘MG11543-23-004’

Description:
Latin name of the genus and species: 
     Genus— Vaccinium.    
     Species—hybrid. 
     VARIETY DENOMINATION 
     The new blueberry plant claimed is of the variety denominated ‘MG11543-23-004’. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The proposed new variety of the denomination ‘MG11543-23-004’ was selected as a seedling from a controlled pollination involving northern and southern highbush varieties ‘Brigitta’ (seed parent) (not patented) and ‘Ridley 1403’ (pollen parent) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,432) respectively. The cross was made in 2011 in Moondarra, Victoria, Australia and the variety was selected in 2015 in Moondarra, Victoria, Australia. The plants of ‘MG11543-23-004’ are strong and vigorous with an upright to whippy growth habit. The fruit is medium to large, with a crunchy texture and a moderate bloom and good flavour. 
     This new cultivar has been asexually propagated through softwood cuttings since 2016 and grown in replicated field trials from 2017 in Moondarra, Victoria, Australia. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The proposed new  Vaccinium  hybrid cultivar ‘MG11543-23-004’ was a selection resulting from a cross between northern and southern highbush varieties ‘Brigitta’ (seed parent) (not patented) and ‘Ridley 1403’ (pollen parent) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,432) respectively. 
     The seed parent ‘Brigitta’ was produced from open pollinated ‘Lateblue’ (not patented) seeds sent to the Knoxfield Horticultural Research Institute in Victoria, Australia in 1976, and was selected based on its vigorous growth, medium sized berry, mid-season fruit ripening and medium to firm fruit firmness. 
     The pollen parent ‘Ridley 1403’ was produced from a southern highbush seedling selection of ‘S02-25-05’ (unpatented) and pollen parent ‘S03-08-02’ (unpatented) and was selected in 2008 at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia with the criteria of strong plant vigor, early-mid fruit ripening, very large fruit size and very firm/crunchy fruit texture. 
     The proposed new  Vaccinium  hybrid cultivar ‘MG11543-23-004’ was the product of a controlled cross pollination between northern highbush variety ‘Brigitta’ and southern highbush variety ‘Ridley 1403’ in the breeding program at Moondarra, Victoria, Australia in 2011. 
     Asexual reproduction of the proposed new variety ‘MG11543-23-004’ by cutting propagation has occurred since 2016 at Moondarra, Victoria, Australia. This has demonstrated that the new variety is uniform, stable and true to type over successive generations of asexual propagation in respect to the aforementioned characteristics. 
     The proposed new  Vaccinium  hybrid cultivar ‘MG11543-23-004’ was a single plant selection from a population of seedlings grown from a cross between northern highbush variety ‘Brigitta’ and southern highbush variety ‘Ridley 1403’ in the controlled breeding program at Moondarra, Victoria, Australia, selected in 2015. The selection of ‘MG11543-23-004’ was based upon strong plant vigor, very crunchy fruit with good flavor and a medium to large berry size. ‘MG11543-23-004’ was under the breeder code NB-23-4 during field trial evaluations from 2017. 
     The following characteristics of the proposed new variety have been observed and used to distinguish ‘MG11543-23-004’ as a distinct cultivar of  Vaccinium  hybrid:
         Upright/whippy growth habit.   Mid-season timing of fruit ripening.   Strong plant vigor.   Medium to large berry size.   Small, dry picking scar   Crunchy berry texture.   Low to moderate sweetness.   Moderate bloom.       

     The proposed new variety ‘MG11543-23-004’ is uniform, stable and true to type over successive generations of asexual propagation through softwood cuttings in respect to the characteristics aforementioned. 
     The new cultivar ‘MG11543-23-004’ differs from the pollen parent ‘Ridley 1403’ in exhibiting an expected higher tolerance to cold, smaller berry size, later flowering and a higher acid flavor. 
     ‘MG11543-23-004’ differs from the seed parent ‘Brigitta’ in respect to a larger berry size, stronger bloom, an expected lower tolerance to cold climates and a crunchier berry texture. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying photographic illustration shows typical specimens in full color of the foliage and fruit of the new variety ‘MG11543-23-004’. ‘MG11543-23-004’ has been labeled KALINDA NB23-4 in the photographs. The colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type. The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with the photographic and printing technology utilized. The color values cited in the detailed botanical description accurately describe the colors of the new blueberry. 
         FIG. 1  is a photograph of the new variety ‘MG11543-23-004’, demonstrating the plant&#39;s compact growth habit at approximately 1 year of age. 
         FIG. 2  is a photograph of the new variety ‘MG11543-23-004’, demonstrating the plant&#39;s fruit at approximately 1 year of age. 
         FIG. 3  is a photograph of the new variety ‘MG11543-23-004’, demonstrating the plant&#39;s flowers at approximately 1 year of age. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘MG11543-23-004’. The data which defines these characteristics was 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 Moondarra, Victoria, Australia. Descriptions of fruit characteristics were made on fruit grown in Moondarra, Victoria, Australia. Color designations are from Pantone Colour Bridge Plus.
     Classification:
           a.  Family .—Ericaceae.   b.  Genus.—Vaccinium.      c.  Species .—Hybrid.   d.  Common name .—Blueberry.       
       Parentage:
             Female parent .—‘Brigitta.’ (not patented).     Male parent .—‘Ridley 1403’ (U.S. Pat. No. 25,432).       
       Market class: A fruiting plant intended for the fresh fruit market.   

     PLANT 
     
         
         General:
           a.  Parentage .—‘Brigitta’ x ‘Ridley1403’.   b.  Plant height.—˜ 1.1 m.   c.  Plant width.— 0.5-0.6 m.   d.  Growth habit .—Upright/whippy.   e.  Growth .—Medium to strong vigor.   f.  Productivity .—Medium to high (˜7.6 kg/plant).   g.  Cold hardiness .—Not tested.   h.  Cold tolerance .—Not tested.   i.  Chilling requirement .—Not tested.   j.  Tolerance to disease .—Not tested.   k.  Leafing .—Moderate-strong.   l.  Twigginess .—Low-moderate.       
     
       
    
     STEM 
     
         
         General:
           a.  Suckering tendency.— 4-6 no. canes per plant.   b.  Mature cane color.— 197C/164B-165D.   c.  Mature cane length.— 0.6-0.75 m.   d.  Mature cane width.— 9 cm.   e.  Bark texture .—Medium roughness.   f.  Surface texture of new wood .—Smooth.   g.  Internode length on strong, new shoots.— 20-26 mm.   h.  Fruiting wood .—To 17 cm in length.       
     
       
    
     FOLIAGE 
     
         
         General:
           a.  Time of beginning of leaf bud burst .—Early (12 th ) September.   b.  Leaf color  ( top side ).—135B/137A.   c.  Leaf color  ( under side ).—146C/145B.   d.  Leaf arrangement .—Alternate.   e.  Leaf shape .—Elliptic.   f.  Leaf margins .—Entire.   g.  Undulation of margin .—Weak.   h.  Leaf venation .—Reticulate.   i.  Leaf apices .—Acute.   j.  Leaf bases .—Obtuse.   k.  Leaf length.— 65-70 mm.   l.  Leaf width.— 33-35 mm.   m.  Leaf length/width ratio .—Medium; 1:0.51-1:0.5.   n.  Leaf nectarines .—Absent.   o.  Pubescence of upper side .—Absent.   p.  Pubescence of lower side .—Absent.   q.  Cross sectional profile .—Flat.   r.  Longitudinal profile .—Straight.   s.  Attitude .—Semi-upright.       
     
         Petioles:
           a.  Length.—˜ 4 mm.   b.  Width.— 1-2 mm.   c.  Color .—Yellow-Green 144C/145A.       
     
       
    
     FLOWERS 
     
         
         General:
           a.  Time of beginning of flowering.— 15 th  September.   b.  Time of  50%  anthesis .—Late September/early October.   c.  Flower shape .—Urceolate.   d.  Flower bud density .—Low to moderate.   e.  Flower fragrance .—Weak; sweet smell.       
     
         Corolla:
             Length.— 11-12 mm.     Width.— 6-7 mm.     Aperture width.—˜ 4 mm.     Anthocyanin coloration of corolla .—Absent.     Corolla ridges .—Present.     Protrusion of stigma .—Absent.       
     
         Inflorescence:
           a.  Length.— 25-33 mm.   b.  Diameter.— 20-24 mm.   c.  Length of peduncle.— 7-8 mm.   d.  Surface texture of peduncle .—Smooth.   e.  Color of peduncle.— 146C.   f.  Length of pedicel.—˜ 6 mm.   g.  Surface texture of pedicel .—Smooth.   h.  Color of pedicel.— 370CP.   i.  Number of flowers per cluster.— 4-5.   j.  Flower cluster density .—Light to moderate.       
     
         Calyx (with sepals):
           a.  Diameter.— 7-8 mm.   b.  Color  ( sepals ).—140B/143C.       
     
         Stamen:
           a.  Length.— 8-9 mm.   b.  Number per flower.— 9-10.   c.  Filament color.— 142C.   d.  Style length.—˜ 7 mm.   e.  Color.— 145B.       
     
         Style:
           a.  Length.—˜ 7 mm.   b.  Color.— 145B.       
     
         Pistil:
           a.  Length.—˜ 9 mm.   b.  Ovary color  ( exterior ).—137A/146A.       
     
         Anther:
           a.  Length.—˜ 4 mm.   b.  Number.— 9-10.   c.  Color.— 164A/N163C.       
     
         Pollen:
             Self - compatibility .—Yes.       
     
       
    
     FRUIT 
     
         
         General:
           a.  Time of fruit ripening .—Mid; December to January in Moondarra, Victoria, Australia.   b.  Time of  50%  maturity .—Mid November.   c.  Fruit development period .—Approximately 70 days.   d.  Cluster density.—˜ 23 berries per cluster.   e.  Unripe fruit color.— 140B.   f.  Ripe berry color.— 203C.   g.  Berry surface wax abundance .—Strong.   h.  Berry flesh color.— 145C/D.   i.  Berry weight.— 3.2 g.   j.  Berry height from calyx to scar.— 11-12 mm.   k.  Berry diameter.— 16-17 mm.   l.  Berry shape .—Oblate.   m.  Fruit stem scar .—Small/dry.   n.  Sweetness when ripe .—Low-medium.   o.  Firmness when ripe .—Firm.   p.  Acidity when ripe .—Medium.   q.  Storage quality .—Good.   r.  Self - fruitfulness .—Yes.   s.  Uses .—Fresh fruit.       
     
       
    
     SEED 
     
         
         General:
           a.  Seed abundance in fruit .—Low-medium.   b.  Seed length.—˜ 1 mm.       
     
       
    
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 COMPARISON BETWEEN PARENTAL AND 
               
               
                 COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                   
                 ‘Ridley 1403’ 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ‘MG11543- 
                 (U.S.  
               
               
                   
                   
                 23- 
                 Plant Pat. 
               
               
                 Organ 
                 Context 
                 004’ 
                 No. 25,432) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Plant 
                 Vigour 
                 Medium to 
                 Strong 
               
               
                   
                   
                 strong 
                   
               
               
                 Plant 
                 Growth habit 
                 Upright 
                 Upright to 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 semi-upright 
               
               
                 One-year- 
                 Color 
                 Green 
                 Green 
               
               
                 old shoot 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 One-year- 
                 Length of internode 
                 Short to  
                 Medium 
               
               
                 old shoot 
                   
                 medium; 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 20-26 mm 
                   
               
               
                 Leaf 
                 Length 
                 Long; 65-70  
                 Long to  
               
               
                   
                   
                 mm 
                 very long 
               
               
                 Leaf 
                 Width 
                 Medium to 
                 Broad 
               
               
                   
                   
                 broad; 33-25  
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 mm 
                   
               
               
                 Leaf 
                 Shape 
                 Elliptic 
                 Elliptic 
               
               
                 Leaf 
                 Color of upper side 
                 Green; 
                 Green 
               
               
                   
                   
                 135B/137A 
                   
               
               
                 Leaf 
                 Intensity of green color on 
                 Dark 
                 Medium 
               
               
                   
                 upper side (varieties with 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 green leaf colour only) 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Leaf 
                 Margin 
                 Entire 
                 Entire 
               
               
                 Flower 
                 Anthocyanin coloration 
                 Weak to  
                 Weak 
               
               
                 bud 
                   
                 medium 
                   
               
               
                 Flower 
                 Shape of corolla 
                 Urceolate 
                 Urceolate 
               
               
                 Flower 
                 Size of corolla tube 
                 Medium 
                 Medium to 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 large 
               
               
                 Flower 
                 Anthocyanin coloration of 
                 Absent or very 
                 Absent or 
               
               
                   
                 corolla tube 
                 weak 
                 very weak 
               
               
                 Flower 
                 Ridges on corolla tube 
                 Present 
                 Present 
               
               
                 Fruit  
                 Density 
                 Sparse to 
                 Medium to 
               
               
                 cluster 
                   
                 medium 
                 dense 
               
               
                 Unripe  
                 Intensity of green color 
                 Medium 
                 Light 
               
               
                 fruit 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Size 
                 Medium to large; 
                 Very large 
               
               
                   
                   
                 16-17 mm 
                   
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Shape in longitudinal 
                 Oblate 
                 Round 
               
               
                   
                 section 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Attitude of sepals 
                 Erect to  
                 Erect 
               
               
                   
                   
                 semi-erect 
                   
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Diameter of calyx basin 
                 Medium 
                 Large 
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Depth of calyx basin 
                 Shallow 
                 Deep 
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Intensity of bloom 
                 Strong 
                 Medium 
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Color of skin 
                 Dark blue; 
                 Dark blue 
               
               
                   
                   
                 203C 
                   
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Firmness 
                 Firm 
                 Very firm 
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Sweetness 
                 Medium 
                 High 
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Acidity 
                 Low 
                 Low 
               
               
                 Time of 
                 Vegetative bud burst 
                 Early to medium 
                 Early 
               
               
                 Time of 
                 Beginning of flowering 
                 Early to medium 
                 Early 
               
               
                 Time of 
                 Beginning of fruit ripening 
                 Medium 
                 Early 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 ‘Ridley 1812 
               
               
                 Organ 
                 Context 
                 (not patented) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Plant 
                 Vigour 
                 Medium 
               
               
                 Plant 
                 Growth habit 
                 Upright 
               
               
                 One-year-old shoot 
                 Color 
                 Green 
               
               
                 One-year-old shoot 
                 Length of internode 
                 Medium 
               
               
                 Leaf 
                 Length 
                 Long to very long 
               
               
                 Leaf 
                 Width 
                 Broad 
               
               
                 Leaf 
                 Shape 
                 Elliptic 
               
               
                 Leaf 
                 Color of upper side 
                 Green 
               
               
                 Leaf 
                 Intensity of green color on 
                 Medium 
               
               
                   
                 upper side (varieties with 
                   
               
               
                   
                 green leaf colour only) 
                   
               
               
                 Leaf 
                 Margin 
                 Entire 
               
               
                 Flower bud 
                 Anthocyanin coloration 
                 Weak 
               
               
                 Flower 
                 Shape of corolla 
                 Urceolate 
               
               
                 Flower 
                 Size of corolla tube 
                 Medium 
               
               
                 Flower 
                 Anthocyanin coloration of 
                 Absent or very weak 
               
               
                   
                 corolla tube 
                   
               
               
                 Flower 
                 Ridges on corolla tube 
                 Present 
               
               
                 Fruit cluster 
                 Density 
                 Medium 
               
               
                 Unripe fruit 
                 Intensity of green color 
                 Light 
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Size 
                 Very large 
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Shape in longitudinal section 
                 Oblate 
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Attitude of sepals 
                 Erect 
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Diameter of calyx basin 
                 Large to very large 
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Depth of calyx basin 
                 Deep to very deep 
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Intensity of bloom 
                 Medium 
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Color of skin 
                 Dark blue 
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Firmness 
                 Medium 
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Sweetness 
                 Medium to high 
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Acidity 
                 Medium to high 
               
               
                 Time of 
                 Vegetative bud burst 
                 Medium 
               
               
                 Time of 
                 Beginning of flowering 
                 Early 
               
               
                 Time of 
                 Beginning of fruit ripening 
                 Early-medium