Patent Publication Number: US-PP32217-P3

Title: Blueberry plant named ‘MG07876-15-003’

Description:
Latin name of the genus and species: 
     Genus— Vaccinium.    
     Species—hybrid. 
     Variety denomination: The new blueberry plant claimed is of the variety denominated ‘MG07876-15-003’. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The proposed new variety ‘MG07876-15-003’ was selected as a seedling from a controlled pollination involving northern highbush varieties ‘Elliott’ (seed parent) (not patented) and ‘Caroline’ (pollen parent) (not patented). The cross was made in 2007 in Moondarra, Victoria, Australia and the plant was selected in 2011 amongst a population of seedlings from the cross grown in Moondarra, Victoria, Australia. This new cultivar has been asexually propagated through cuttings since 2011 and grown in replicated field trials from 2014 in Moondarra, Victoria, Australia. 
     The plants of the proposed new variety ‘MG07876-15-003’ are strong and vigorous and self-fertile while the berries are large and firm with a moderate to good bloom, sweet flavor and a small dry scar. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The proposed new  Vaccinium  hybrid cultivar denominated ‘MG07876-15-003’ resulted from a cross between ‘Elliott’ and ‘Caroline’. 
     The seed parent was produced by ‘Burlington’ (not patented) and ‘US1’ (not patented) and was selected based on its vigor, late fruit ripening, high yields and medium sized, frim berries with a strong flavor and bloom. 
     The pollen parent 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 medium timing of fruit ripening, strong aromatic flavor, medium firmness and moderate bush vigor. 
     The proposed new variety ‘MG07876-15-003’ is a selection from seedlings produced from a controlled pollination between ‘Elliott’ and ‘Caroline’ in the breeding program at Moondarra, Victoria, Australia in 2007. 
     Asexual reproduction of the proposed new variety by cutting propagation has occurred since 2011 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 characteristics aforementioned. 
     The proposed new cultivar ‘MG07876-15-003’ was selected as a single plant in a population of seedlings resulting from a cross between the two northern highbush varieties previously described, selected in 2011 at Moondarra, Victoria, Australia. The selection was based upon its late period of fruit ripening, strong plant vigor and large, firm fruit with a moderate to good bloom, sweet flavor and small dry picking scar. The new cultivar was given the breeder code ‘5P-15-3’ and evaluated in trials from 2014 to be later denominated ‘MG07876-15-003’. 
     The following characteristics of the proposed new variety have been observed and used to distinguish ‘MG07876-15-003’ as a distinct cultivar of  Vaccinium  hybrid:
         Round-upright/whippy growth habit.   Late timing of flowering.   Very late timing of fruit ripening.   Strong plant vigor.   Large berry size.   Small, dry picking scar   Berry firmness is firm.       

     The new variety differs from the seed parent ‘Elliott’ as previously described in terms of having later timing of fruit ripening and larger berry size. ‘MG07876-15-003’ differs from pollen parent ‘Caroline’ in respect to its later fruit ripening, firmer berries, larger berry size and stronger vigor. The proposed new variety ‘MG07876-15-003’ is uniform, stable and true to type over successive generations of asexual propagation through softwood cuttings in respect to the characteristics aforementioned. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying photographic illustration shows typical specimens in full color of the foliage and fruit of the new variety ‘MG07876-15-003’. The colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type. 
         FIG. 1  is a photograph of the new variety ‘MG07876-15-003’, demonstrating the plant&#39;s upright growth habit at approximately 6 years of age. 
         FIG. 2  is a photograph of the fruit of the new variety ‘MG07876-15-003’ at approximately 6 years of age. 
         FIG. 3  is a photograph of the flowers of the new variety ‘MG07876-15-003’ at approximately 6 years of age. 
     
    
    
     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. 
     DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘MG07876-15-003’. 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 Color Bridge plus.
     Classification:
             a. Family .—Ericaceae.     b. Genus.—Vaccinium.        c. Species .—hybrid.     d. Common name .—Blueberry.       
       Parentage:
             Female parent .—‘Elliott’ (not patented).     Male parent .—‘Caroline’ (not patented).       
       Market class: A fruiting plant intended for the fresh fruit market.   

     PLANT 
     
         
         General:
             a. Parentage .—‘Elliott’ x ‘Caroline’.     b. Plant height.— 0.9-1.2 m.     c. Plant width.—˜ 0.7-0.8 m.     d. Growth habit .—Upright/whippy.     e. Growth  ( vigor ).—Strong to very strong.     f. Productivity .—Medium to high (˜6.6 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 .—Strong to very strong.     l. Twigginess .—Moderate.       
     
       
    
     STEM 
     
         
         General:
             a. Suckering tendency.— 7-8/plant.     b. Mature cane color.— 165A/161D-164C.     c. Mature cane length.—˜ 0.9 m.     d. Mature cane width.— 1.1 cm.     e. Bark texture .—Medium roughness.     f. Fall color on new shoots .—N/A.     g. Surface texture of new wood .—Smooth.     h. Internode length on strong, new shoots.—˜ 20 mm.     i. Fruiting wood .—Up to 18 cm in length.       
     
       
    
     FOLIAGE 
     
         
         General:
             a. Time of beginning of leaf bud burst .—Approximately mid-October.     b. Leaf color  ( top side ).—135B/137A.     c. Leaf color  ( under side ).—145B/138D.     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.— 66-79 mm.     l. Leaf width.— 35-38 mm.     m. Leaf length/width ratio .—Medium; 1:0.53-1:0.48.     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.— 4-6 mm.     b. Width.— 1.5 mm.     c. Color .—Yellow-Green 144D.       
     
       
    
     FLOWERS 
     
         
         General:
             a. Time of beginning of flowering.— 19 th  October.     b. Time of  50%  anthesis.— 27 th  October.     c. Flower shape .—Urceolate.     d. Flower bud density .—Moderate to high.     e. Flower fragrance .—Weak; sweet smell.       
     
         Corolla:
             a. Length.— 11-13 mm.     b. Width.— 5-6 mm.     c. Aperture width .—Approximately 5 mm.     d. Anthocyanin coloration of corolla .—Absent.     e. Corolla ridges .—Present.     f. Protrusion of stigma .—Absent.       
     
         Inflorescence:
             a. Length.—˜ 26 mm.     b. Diameter.—˜ 35-40 mm.     c. Surface texture of peduncle .—Smooth.     d. Surface texture of pedicel .—Smooth.     e. Color of pedicel.— 146C/144A.     f. Number of flowers per cluster .—Approximately 8-10.     g. Flower cluster density .—Moderate.       
     
         Calyx (with sepals):
             a. Diameter.— 6-7 mm.     b. Color  ( sepals ).—176C/145B.       
     
         Stamen:
             a. Length.— 7-8 mm.     b. Number per flower .—Approximately 10.     c. Filament color.— 145D/142C.     d. Style length.— 8-9 mm.     e. Color .—N144A/C.       
     
         Style:
             a. Length.— 8-9 mm.     b. Color .—N144A/C.       
     
         Pistil:
             a. Length.— 11-12 mm.     b. Ovary color  ( exterior ).—144A/135B.       
     
         Anther:
             a. Length.— 4-5 mm.     b. Number .—Approximately 10.     c. Color.— 165B.       
     
         Pollen:
             Self - compatibility .—Yes (100%).       
     
       
    
     FRUIT 
     
         
         General:
             a. Time of fruit ripening .—Very late; February to March in Moondarra, Victoria, Australia.     b. Time of  50%  maturity .—Late February.     c. Fruit development period .—Approximately 90-100 days.     d. Cluster density.—˜ 24 berries per cluster.     e. Unripe fruit color .—N144D.     f. Ripe berry color.— 203C.     g. Berry surface wax abundance .—Moderate.     h. Berry flesh color.— 145D.     i. Berry weight.— 1.5-2.5 g.     j. Berry height from calyx to scar.— 12-15 mm.     k. Berry diameter.— 18-20 mm.     l. Berry shape .—Oblate.     m. Fruit stem scar .—Small, dry.     n. Sweetness when ripe .—Medium.     o. Firmness when ripe .—Firm.     p. Acidity when ripe .—Low to medium.     q. Storage quality .—Good.     r. Suitability for mechanical harvesting .—N/A.     s. Self - fruitfulness .—Yes.     t. Uses. —Fresh fruit.     u. Type. —On one-year-old shoots only.       
     
       
    
     SEED 
     
         
         General:
             a. Seed abundance in fruit .—Moderate.     b. Seed color.— 167A/164A.     c. Seed length.—˜ 1 mm.       
     
       
    
     
       
         
           
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 COMPARISON BETWEEN COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 ‘Ridley 0808’  
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 ‘Brigitta’  
                 (U.S. Plant  
               
               
                   
                   
                 ‘MG07876- 
                 (not  
                 Pat. No. 
               
               
                 Organ  
                 Context 
                 15-003’ 
                 patented) 
                 31,074) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Plant 
                 Vigor 
                 Strong 
                 Medium 
                 Strong 
               
               
                 Plant 
                 Growth habit 
                 Semi- 
                 Upright 
                 Upright 
               
               
                   
                   
                 upright 
                   
                   
               
               
                 One-year- 
                 Color 
                 Green 
                 Green 
                 Green 
               
               
                 old shoot 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 One-year- 
                 Length of  
                 Medium 
                 Medium 
                 Medium  
               
               
                 old shoot 
                 internode 
                   
                   
                 to long 
               
               
                 Leaf 
                 Length 
                 Long; 66-79 
                 Long 
                 Medium to  
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 long 
               
               
                 Leaf 
                 Width 
                 Broad 
                 Broad 
                 Broad 
               
               
                 Leaf 
                 Shape 
                 Elliptic 
                 Elliptic 
                 Elliptic 
               
               
                 Leaf 
                 Color of upper  
                 Green; 
                 Green 
                 Green 
               
               
                   
                 side 
                 135B/137A 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Leaf 
                 Intensity of green  
                 Light- 
                 Medium 
                 Medium 
               
               
                   
                 color on upper  
                 medium 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 side (varieties  
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 with green leaf  
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 color only) 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Leaf 
                 Margin 
                 Entire 
                 Serrate 
                 Entire 
               
               
                 Flower  
                 Anthocyanin  
                 Medium- 
                 Medium- 
                 Medium 
               
               
                 bud 
                 coloration 
                 strong 
                 strong 
                   
               
               
                 Flower 
                 Shape of corolla 
                 Urceolate 
                 Urceolate 
                 Urceolate 
               
               
                 Flower 
                 Size of corolla  
                 Medium 
                 Medium 
                 Medium 
               
               
                   
                 tube 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Flower 
                 Anthocyanin  
                 Absent or  
                 Absent or 
                 Absent or  
               
               
                   
                 coloration of 
                 very 
                 very  
                 very  
               
               
                   
                 corolla tube 
                 weak 
                 weak 
                 weak 
               
               
                 Flower 
                 Ridges on corolla  
                 Present 
                 Present 
                 Present 
               
               
                   
                 tube 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Fruit  
                 Density 
                 Dense 
                 Medium- 
                 Medium 
               
               
                 cluster 
                   
                   
                 dense 
                   
               
               
                 Unripe  
                 Intensity of green  
                 Light- 
                 Light 
                 Light 
               
               
                 fruit 
                 color 
                 medium; 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 N144D 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Size 
                 Large;  
                 Medium 
                 Medium  
               
               
                   
                   
                 18-20 mm 
                   
                 to large 
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Shape in longi- 
                 Oblate 
                 Oblate 
                 Oblate 
               
               
                   
                 tudinal section 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Attitude of sepals 
                 Erect 
                 Erect 
                 Erect 
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Diameter of calyx  
                 Small- 
                 Small- 
                 Large to  
               
               
                   
                 basin 
                 medium 
                 medium 
                 very large 
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Depth of calyx  
                 Medium- 
                 Deep 
                 Deep 
               
               
                   
                 basin 
                 deep 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Intensity of bloom 
                 Medium 
                 Medium 
                 Strong 
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Color of skin 
                 Dark blue; 
                 Dark blue 
                 Dark blue 
               
               
                   
                   
                 203C 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Firmness 
                 Firm 
                 Medium 
                 Very firm 
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Sweetness 
                 Medium- 
                 Low- 
                 Very high 
               
               
                   
                   
                 high 
                 medium 
                   
               
               
                 Fruit 
                 Acidity 
                 Low- 
                 Low- 
                 Medium  
               
               
                   
                   
                 medium 
                 medium 
                 to high 
               
               
                 Time of 
                 Vegetative bud  
                 Late 
                 Medium 
                 Medium  
               
               
                   
                 burst 
                   
                   
                 to late 
               
               
                 Time of 
                 Beginning of  
                 Late 
                 Medium 
                 Medium  
               
               
                   
                 flowering 
                   
                   
                 to late 
               
               
                 Time of 
                 Beginning of  
                 Very late 
                 Medium 
                 Medium  
               
               
                   
                 fruit ripening 
                   
                   
                 to late