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Kiwi plant named `Tomua` |
| PP11065 |
Kiwi plant named `Tomua`
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| Patent Drawings: | |
| Inventor: |
Lowe, et al. |
| Date Issued: |
September 21, 1999 |
| Application: |
08/996,802 |
| Filed: |
December 23, 1997 |
| Inventors: |
Lowe; Russell G (N/A), N/A (Palmerston North, NZ)
Marsh; Hinga D (Palmerston North, NZ)
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| Assignee: |
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| Primary Examiner: |
Locker; Howard J. |
| Assistant Examiner: |
Kimball; Melissa L. |
| Attorney Or Agent: |
Quarles & Brady |
| U.S. Class: |
PLT/156 |
| Field Of Search: |
Plt/33.1; Plt/156 |
| International Class: |
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| U.S Patent Documents: |
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| Foreign Patent Documents: |
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| Other References: |
UPOV CD-ROM Kiwi plant named `Tomua`, PBR KIW009, New Zealand, May 1995.. |
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| Abstract: |
A new and distinct kiwi plant of the species Actinidia deliciosa (A.Chev.) C.F. Liang et A.R. Ferguson is described. The cultivar results from a controlled pollination of A. deliciosa DA02.sub.-- 03, a male selection of unknown parentage, and the female A. deliciosa `Hayward`, the most widely grown cultivar of kiwi worldwide. Both named parents (DA02.sub.-- 03 and `Hayward`) are unpatented cultivars. The new cultivar is distinguished by its early harvest time (about 4 weeks ahead of `Hayward` in NZ), fruit appearance similar to `Hayward`, and moderate plant vigor. |
| Claim: |
We claim:
1. A new and distinct kiwi plant of the species A. deliciosa substantially as described and illustrated in the specification above, characterised by early harvest date compared to`Hayward`, medium green flesh, reddish-brown skin, easily removable hairs, and a slight pointed stylar end. |
| Description: |
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Kiwi plants in cultivation are deciduous vines of A. deliciosa. There are more than 60 species in the genus Actinidia originating in China and parts of Asia. The kiwi cultivar `Hayward`, developed in New Zealand, is the most widely growncultivar because of its distinctive green flesh, good flavor and long storage life. Plants are dioecious, so male pollinizers are required as well as female plants to ensure fruit production.
Kiwi plants grow vigorously in spring, and rapidly develop a canopy of canes up to 6 m long if not managed correctly. Plants require a mild, warm-temperate climate, free from late spring and early autumn frosts, and need well-drained soils toproduce consistent, heavy crops of fruit. Regular irrigation is necessary in dry spells. Flowering occurs in late spring (mid-late November in New Zealand). The distinctive, green-fleshed fruit develop rapidly after pollination and reach 90% of theirharvest weight after 3 months. Fruit from the cultivar `Tomua` is harvested in early April in New Zealand, while `Hayward` is normally harvested during May.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and distinctive kiwi plant having an ovoid shaped fruit. More particularly, the new cultivar is designated `Tomua`, and is derived from a controlled pollination of A. deliciosa DA02.sub.-- 03, an unpatentedmale selection of unknown parentage, and `Hayward`, also unpatented. The male parent, which originated from seeds introduced from China in 1975, was selected as the pollen parent for the crosses because of its very early-flowering characteristics. Theseed parent `Hayward` was selected for its large size, good flavor and good storage life.
The new cultivar of kiwi was created in the course of a plant breeding program which was initiated in 1983 at Hort Research in Te Puke, New Zealand. An early-flowering unpatented A. deliciosa male, DA02.sub.-- 03, was crossed on to theunpatented seed parent `Hayward` by Russell Lowe in November 1983. 59 seedlings from this cross were planted out in the field in April 1986. By December 1990 most plants had flowered and `Tomua` was selected by Russell Lowe and Hinga Marsh from 19female seedlings in this population. `Tomua` fruit matured 4 weeks ahead of `Hayward` and had acceptable fruit size, a good flavor and appeared to have commercial potential.
The new cultivar can be asexually reproduced as cuttings or by grafting or budding on to seedling or cutting-grown rootstocks of A. deliciosa. Trial plantings, established in 1989 at Te Puke, with plants grafted on to clonal `Hayward`rootstocks, have shown that the unique combination of characteristics come true to form and are established and transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations. `Tomua` flowers two weeks ahead of `Hayward`, so the usual pollinizers used for`Hayward` are ineffective. Two new and unpatented early-flowering pollinizers designated Hortkiwi `Ranger` and Hortkiwi `King` have been selected as males for use in new plantings of `Tomua`.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS
FIG. 1 shows typical fruit on the vine of the cultivar `Tomua`.
FIG. 2 shows typical fruit on the cultivar `Tomua`. Note pointed stylar end.
FIG. 3 shows `Tomua` fruit in cross-section and profile.
FIG. 4 shows `Hayward` fruit in cross-section and profile.
FIG. 5 shows `Tomua` fruit in close up. Note overall similarity to `Hayward`
FIG. 6 shows `Hayward` fruit in close up.
FIG. 7 shows flowers of the cultivar `Tomua` on the vine. Note petals cupped around the ovary.
FIG. 8 shows flowers of the cultivar `Hayward` on the vine. Note petals in horizontal alignment.
FIG. 9 shows mature leaves of the `Tomua` vine.
FIG. 10 shows mature leaves of the `Hayward` vine.
Photographs of fruit on the vine were taken just prior to the harvest date. Colors may vary depending upon growing conditions under different climate, soil, and cultivation conditionsand the fruit skin color may vary depending upon extent of exposure to direct sunlight.
The fruit of `Tomua` are ovoid in shape, tapering towards the stylar end, generally circular in cross-section although slightly flattened (FIG. 3). The flesh of `Tomua` fruit is medium green like `Hayward` with a columella similar to `Hayward`(FIG. 4). The hairs on the skin of the fruit of `Tomua` are slightly stiffer than those of `Hayward` and slightly prickly to the touch, but are very easily removed by rubbing or brushing to reveal a rather shiny skin (FIG. 2). The skin color of `Tomua`fruit is a reddish-brown in contrast to that of `Hayward` which is a medium brown color. `Tomua` fruit are slightly longer than those of `Hayward` for an equivalent weight. The length to (maximum) width ratio for Tomua fruit is 7:5 while that ofHayward fruit is 6:5. `Tomua` fruit have a higher dry matter content at harvest and are sweeter tasting than `Hayward` fruit when ripe. The storage life of `Tomua` fruit when held at 0.degree. C. is about 12 weeks while that of `Hayward` is up to 25weeks under ideal conditions.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT
The new cultivar `Tomua` is pistillate with imperfect flowers, i.e., only sterile pollen is produced and thus flowers require a pollinizer for fruit production. Two specific pollinizers have been developed for `Tomua` and they are named Hortkiwi`Ranger` and Hortkiwi `King`. Characteristics of the new cultivar by which it differs from the common `Hayward` cultivar include earlier flowering and harvest times, longer fruit shape, more easily removed hairs on the skin, more pointed shape at thestylar end (FIG. 2) and reddish-brown colored skin. Horticultural terminology is used in accordance with revised UPOV guidelines for kiwi.
______________________________________ TABLE OF CHARACTERISITCS Characters of the `Hayward` comparison cultivar are noted in [bracket] opposite that character only when significantly different. All dimensions in millimeters, weights in grams. Tomua Hayward ______________________________________ PLANT Plant: sex expression female Plant: ploidy hexaploid (2n = 6x = 174) Plant: vigor medium Young shoot: hairs present Young shoot: density of medium hairs Young shoot: type of hairs velutinous Young shoot: anthocyanin medium coloration of growing tip young shoot: anthocyanin weak coloration of leaf axil STEM Stem: diameter medium - Mean 10.8 mm (Range 10.2-12.3) Stem: dormant bud diameter 2.55 mm (1.7-3.1) Stem: coloron upper side red-brown of shoot Stem: hairs present Stem: conspicuousness of conspicuous lenticels Stem: number of lenticels medium Stem: color of lenticels brownish- white Stem: size of bud support medium Stem: visibility of bud inconspicuous (dormant canes) Stem: number of hairs few visible on bud (dormant canes) Stem: leaf scar medium LEAF Leaf: general shape of round [very blade broadly ovate] Leaf: length 140 mm (120-160 mm) Leaf: width 149 mm (100-170 mm) Leaf: shape of tip of blade mucronate Leaf: shape of base of blade cordate Leaf: arrangement of leaf overlapping bases Leaf: puckering/blistering medium on upper side of blade Leaf: margin ciliate Leaf: green color of upper medium side ofblade Leaf: glossiness of upper medium surface of blade Leaf: color of lower side light of blade green Leaf: glaucousness (lower absent side of blade) Leaf: petiole length 87 mm (52-150 mm) Leaf: hears on petiole present Leaf: density ofhairs on medium petiole Leaf: anthocyanin coloration weak [medium] on upper side of petiole FLOWER (Measurements taken from a sample of 20 flowers) Inflorescence: predom- one inant number of flowers Pedicel: length medium - 36.9 mm (31.0-43.0 mm) Pedicel: hairs present Pedicel: length of hairs medium Flower: number of sepals >5 Flower: color of sepals brown Flower: diameter (terminal large - or king flower when fully 63.3 mm open) (47.8-70.6 mm) Flower: petal length 30.0 mm (25.3-34.3 mm) Flower: petal width 22.7 mm (18.5-29.6 mm) Flower: petal length/ 1.33 mm width ratio (1.11-1.48 mm) Flower: mean number of 7 (6-8) petals per flower Flower: number of flowers 15 out of with more than six petals 20flowers Flower: arrangement of overlapping petals Flower: petal shoulder present Flower: primary color of white petals on upper side (when fully open) Flower: type of coloration uniform color, of petals i.e., not bi- colored Flower: numberof styles 37.3 (31-43) Flower: attitude of styles semi-erect Flower: amount of hair on strongly ovary expressed FRUIT Measurements are from 10 fruit sampes Fruit: overall size medium 91 g [large] Fruit: mean length 73.9 mm (69.1-79.1 mm) Fruit: width (max.) 51.56 mm (47.4-55.0 mm) Fruit: width (min.) 44.9 mm 42.8-47.3 mm) Fruit: locule number 36.9 (33-40) Fruit: general shape ovoid (tapers toward stylar end) Fruit: cross-section at elliptical [oblate] median Fruit:general shape of raised [flat] stylar end Fruit: shape of shoulder rounded [almost on salk end square] Fruit: skin color at harvest reddish- [brown] (fruit still hard) brown Fruit: skin color change absent during ripening Fruit: skin colorat reddish- [brown] maturity for consumption brown Fruit: hairs present Fruit: density of hairs medium Fruit: type of hair bristly [hirsute] Fruit: concentration of hairs uniform Fruit: adherenece of hairs to weak [strong] skin (when rubbed) Fruit: core (columella) medium to [large] diameter (at largest dia.) large Fruit: core shape (in cross elliptical section) Fruit: core woody spike present Fruit: prominence of core medium woody spike Fruit: outer pericarp color light green at maturity for consumption Fruit: inner pericarp color green (locules) at maturity for consumption Fruit: core color at maturity greenish white Fruit: soluble solids medium - concentration SSC 14.3% (Brix level) at maturity (13.5-15.1%) for consumption Fruit: Vitamin C content at medium harvest (100-125 mg/ 100 g fresh weight) Fruit: seed color at maturity dark brown Fruit: seed color when dry brown EVENTS (at Te Puke, New Zealand) Time of vegetative early (late
budbreak August to first week of Sept.) Time of beginning of medium (second) [two weeks flowering to third week later] of Sept.) Time of harvest at 6.2% medium (first [four weeks SSC weak of April) later] ______________________________________
HORTICULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
Details below relate to observations made on plants grafted on `Hayward` clonal rootstocks (rooted cuttings) growing at Te Puke Research Centre, New Zealand.
`Tomua` vines can be grown on the same rootstocks as can `Hayward` vines. Rootstocks currently used in New Zealand include A. deliciosa seedlings, `Hayward` rooted cuttings and Hortkiwi `Kaimai`. `Tomua` can also be grown as self-rooted cuttinggrown plants.
In Te Puke, from 1993-1997 the `Tomua` harvest time has been consistently 4-5 weeks ahead of `Hayward` using the criteria of a Soluble Solids Concentration (SSC) of 6.2% to begin harvest.
The storage life of `Tomua` fruit is about half of that of `Hayward` fruit under cool storage temperatures of 0.degree. C., but this is not considered a disadvantage as `Tomua` fruit can be sold before the main `Hayward` crop is harvested.
`Tomua` fruit soften more rapidly than `Hayward` fruit so the consumer can more readily obtain fruit that is in a "ready-to-eat" condition at the start of the kiwi fruit harvest season. `Tomua` fruit are sweeter tasting than `Hayward` with atangy balance of sweetness and acidity.
Yield data: `Tomua` vines carry lower yields of Class 1 (export grade) fruit than `Hayward` when plants of equivalent ages are compared, mainly because fruit of `Tomua` are smaller on average than those of `Hayward`.
Three years of data from a replicated trial planting containing `Tomua` and `Hayward`, planted in 1989 at Te Puke is presented below in Table 1.
TABLE 1 ______________________________________ TOMUA AND HAYWARD YIELDS Fruit number Trays (3.6 kg) Size (grams) Year Tomua Hayward Tomua Hayward Tomua Hayward ______________________________________ 1996 938 708 23 22 92 117 1997 909 133123 35 93 96 1998 1149 1020 24 30 89 111 Means 999 1020 23 29 91 108 ______________________________________ Fruit flesh and skin color measurement. RHS Colour Chart, the Royal Horticultural Society, London ______________________________________ 1966. Flesh Color at maturity: Outer pericarp 138B-138D [Hayward 138B-138C] Tomua Fruit core: Tomua 155-155B [Hayward 155A] Seed color (in fruit): 200A Seed color (dry seed): 165A-165B Fruit skin at maturity: Tomua 165B [Hayward 164B] Leaf color:mature leaf after petal fall Upper side of leaf 137A or Tomua 147A Lower side of leaf 147B-147C Tomua Petiole color: exposed side 178B Flower petals: main body 155D base 154C-154D Plant Stem: exposed side: 165A Lenticel color: 164B-164C. ______________________________________
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