BB06-507MI-52

Blueberry

Note: The applicant has requested an exemption from compulsory licensing to allow time to multiply and distribute propagating material of the variety. If the exemption is granted, it may be allowed for two years from the date rights are granted for the variety.

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Draper' and 'Duke'

Summary: The plants of 'BB06-507MI-52' have an upright growth habit whereas the plants of 'Draper' have a semi-upright growth habit. The one-year-old shoot of 'BB06-507MI-52' is dark red whereas the one-year-old shoot of 'Duke' is reddish brown. Flowering on the one-year-old shoots of 'BB06-507MI-52' begins mid-season whereas flowering begins late in the season for the reference varieties. The fruit of 'BB06-507MI-52' is medium to large whereas the fruit of 'Duke' is small to medium sized. The fruit of 'BB06-507MI-52' has a smaller diameter calyx basin than that of 'Duke'. The calyx basin on the fruit of 'BB06-507MI-52' is medium to deep whereas it is shallow to medium on the fruit of 'Duke'. The fruit of 'BB06-507MI-52' is firm whereas the fruit of 'Duke' is of medium firmness. The fruit of 'BB06-507MI-52' is high in sweetness whereas the fruit of 'Draper' is medium in sweetness.

Description:

PLANT: medium to strong vigour, upright growth habit, fruiting on one-year-old shoots only, first vegetative bud burst begins mid-season
ONE-YEAR-OLD SHOOT: dark red, medium length internodes along upper half

LEAF: medium length to width ratio, ovate shape, medium to dark green on upper side, entire margin

FLOWERING: begins mid-season on one-year-old shoots
FLOWER BUD: medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: urceolate shape
COROLLA TUBE: medium size, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration, ridges present

FRUIT CLUSTER: sparse to medium density
UNRIPE FRUIT: medium intensity of green colour (with bloom), ripening begins mid-season on one-year-old shoots
FRUIT: medium to large size, round to oblate in longitudinal section, medium to deep calyx basin, firm, high sweetness, medium acidity
FRUIT SKIN: medium to strong bloom intensity, dark blue skin (after removal of bloom)
SEPALS: erect attitude, straight type

Origin & Breeding History: 'BB06-507MI-52' originated from a cross conducted in 2006, in Grand Junction, Michigan, USA, between the variety 'Draper', as the female parent, and the variety 'Brigitta', as the male parent. The resulting plants were grown for 18 months before being planted in a seedling evaluation plot in South Haven, Michigan, in 2008. After 2 years of evaluation, 'BB06-507MI-52' was initially selected in 2010 for its maturity date, fruit size, fruit quality and storage ability. In 2011 and 2012, vegetative cuttings of 'BB06-507MI-52' were advanced to test plots in South Haven, Bloomingdale and Muskegon, Michigan and further observed from 2013 to 2015.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'BB06-507MI-52' was conducted in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada during the 2021 growing season. In the fall of 2018, 25 plants of each variety were transplanted into individual rows with 3 metres between the rows. Plants were spaced 1 metre apart within the row. Measurements were taken from 12 plants or parts of 12 plants of each variety. Mean differences were significant at the 5% confidence probability level based on a paired Student's t-test.

Comparison table for 'BB06-507MI-52' with reference varieties 'Draper' and 'Duke'

Diameter of calyx basin (cm)

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Blueberry: 'BB06-507MI-52' (centre) with reference varieties 'Duke' (left) and 'Draper' (right)