Mandarin tree named ‘AC4916’
The 'AC4916' mandarin tree addresses the need for a new variety by producing flavorful, seedless fruit with distinct characteristics, ensuring consistent quality and market appeal.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- US18/771592
- Authority / Receiving Office
- US · United States
- Patent Type
- Patents(United States)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-07-17
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-12
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-08
- Estimated Expiration
- 2044-07-12
AI Technical Summary
There is a need for a new mandarin tree variety that produces flavorful, seedless fruit with improved characteristics compared to existing varieties.
The development of the 'AC4916' mandarin tree, which originated from an induced mutation of 'W Murcott' and is distinguished by its seedless fruit, thicker rind, and specific leaf and fruit characteristics.
The 'AC4916' mandarin tree remains true to type over successive asexually propagated generations, offering a unique combination of flavor, seedlessness, and market suitability, with excellent keeping and shipping quality.
Smart Images
Figure USPP036588-D00001 
Figure USPP036588-D00002 
Figure USPP036588-D00003
Abstract
Description
[0001] Latin name: Citrus reticulata.
[0002] Common name: Mandarin.
[0003] Variety denomination: ‘AC4916’.BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY
[0004] ‘AC4916’ is a new mandarin tree that originated as an induced mutation of ‘W Murcott’ mandarin (not patented) at Queensland, Australia in 2009. Bud sticks of ‘W. Murcott’ (not patented) were irradiated in 2009, and subsequently grafted onto ‘Carrizo’ rootstock (not patented) at Queensland, Australia in 2009. ‘AC4916’ was selected from among the grafted plants for further observation because of its flavorful seedless fruit. The ‘AC4916’ mandarin tree has been observed to remain true to type over successive asexually propagated generations.
[0005] The ‘AC4916’ mandarin tree is distinguished from ‘W. Murcott’ as set forth in Table 1 below.
[0006] TABLE 1Comparison of ‘AC4916’ to ‘W. Murcott’‘AC4916’‘W. Murcott’SeedsAbsentPresentRind thickness3.0 mm3.8 mmLeaf upper Yellow-green Yellow-green surface color147A146ALeaf shape in WeaklyStrongly cross-sectionconcave, 120°concave, 60°
[0007] The ‘AC4916’ mandarin tree is distinguished from similar variety ‘Tango’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,863) as set forth in Table 2 below.
[0008] TABLE 2Comparison of ‘AC4916’ Mandarin to ‘Tango’ Mandarin‘AC4916’‘Tango’Growth habitSpreadingUprightVigorStrongStrong to very strongFruit rind colorOrange N25BOrange 24AFruit length60.5 mm54.7 mmBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS
[0009] The accompanying photographs, which show fifth- and sixthleaf ‘AC4916’ mandarin trees grown on ‘Carrizo’ rootstock, were taken in 2023 and 2024 at Visalia, California. The trees were planted in 2019. The colors of the claimed plant and its fruit may vary with lighting conditions. Therefore, color characteristics should be determined with reference to the observations described herein, rather than from these illustrations alone.
[0010] FIG. 1 shows sectioned fruit from an ‘AC4916’ mandarin tree;
[0011] FIG. 2 shows a shoot from an ‘AC4916’ mandarin tree;
[0012] FIG. 3 shows leaves from an ‘AC4916’ mandarin tree;
[0013] FIG. 4 shows the trunk of an ‘AC4916’ mandarin tree;
[0014] FIG. 5 shows an ‘AC4916’ mandarin tree; and,
[0015] FIG. 6 shows flowers of an ‘AC4916’ mandarin tree.DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
[0016] The following detailed botanical description is based on observations recorded at Visalia, California in 2023 of fifth-leaf trees planted in 2019 on ‘Carrizo’ rootstock. The characteristics described will vary somewhat depending upon cultural practices, climatic conditions, location and growing season. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average of measurements taken from a number of individual plants of the claimed variety. The measurements of any individual plant or any group of plants of the variety may vary from the stated average. Colors are described with reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart, 6th edition (Royal Horticultural Society 2019).DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
[0017] Tree:
[0018] Vigor.—Medium strong.
[0019] Density of canopy.—Medium dense.
[0020] Habit.—Spreading.
[0021] Height.—3 m.
[0022] Trunk diameter (at 30 cm above the graft).—7 cm to 10 cm.
[0023] Bark texture.—Slightly rough.
[0024] Bark color.—Grey-brown 199B.
[0025] Branch (fruiting branches about 1 m above graft):
[0026] Length.—About 1.5 m.
[0027] Diameter.—2 cm to 3 cm.
[0028] Crotch angle.—Acute.
[0029] Bark color.—Grey-brown 199B.
[0030] Bark texture.—Slightly rough.
[0031] Thorns.—Absent.
[0032] Current year shoot length.—70 cm to 72 cm.
[0033] Current year shoot color.—Green NN137B.
[0034] Flower buds:
[0035] Shape.—Oval.
[0036] Length.—0.9 cm.
[0037] Diameter.—0.5 cm.
[0038] Bud color.—White NN155D.
[0039] Flowers:
[0040] Date of first bloom.—Mar. 27, 2024.
[0041] Number of flowers per cluster.—1 to 4.
[0042] Number of petals per flower.—5.
[0043] Flower diameter.—2.8 cm.
[0044] Flower depth.—1.1 cm.
[0045] Petals:
[0046] Shape.—Strap.
[0047] Apex.—Rounded.
[0048] Margin.—Entire.
[0049] Length.—1.3 cm.
[0050] Width.—0.3 cm.
[0051] Color—upper surface.—White 155D.
[0052] Color—lower surface.—155B.
[0053] Relative position of petal margins.—Overlapping.
[0054] Pistil:
[0055] Quantity per flower.—1.
[0056] Length.—7.4 mm.
[0057] Stigma:
[0058] Length.—1 mm.
[0059] Stigma color.—Yellow 13C.
[0060] Style:
[0061] Length.—4.6 mm.
[0062] Color.—Yellow-green 151D.
[0063] Ovary:
[0064] Length.—2 mm.
[0065] Diameter.—2.4 mm.
[0066] Color.—Yellow-green 145A.
[0067] Stamens:
[0068] Quantity per flower.—20.
[0069] Anther length.—2 mm.
[0070] Anther color.—Yellow-orange 14A.
[0071] Pollen.—Present in moderate amount.
[0072] Pedicel:
[0073] Length.—4 mm.
[0074] Diameter.—1 mm.
[0075] Color.—Yellow-green N144D.
[0076] Sepals:
[0077] Length.—2 mm.
[0078] Sepal width.—2 mm.
[0079] Sepal shape.—Deltoid with acuminate apex.
[0080] Sepal margin.—Entire.
[0081] Sepal color—upper surface.—Yellow-green 154C.
[0082] Sepal color—lower surface.—Yellow-green 154B.
[0083] Leaves:
[0084] Length.—65 mm to 80 mm.
[0085] Width.—35 mm to 45 mm.
[0086] Length / width ratio.—1.4 to 2.3.
[0087] Blade margin.—Broadly crenate.
[0088] Leaf shape.—Broadly elliptic.
[0089] Apex shape.—Acute.
[0090] Base shape.—Rounded.
[0091] Texture of upper surface.—Medium-firm, smooth.
[0092] Color of upper surface.—Yellow-green 146A.
[0093] Color of lower surface.—Yellow-green 146B.
[0094] Petiole length.—6 mm to 10 mm.
[0095] Petiole diameter.—1 mm to 2 mm.
[0096] Petiole color.—Yellow-green N144A.
[0097] Wings.—Absent.
[0098] Fruit:
[0099] Axial diameter.—74.1 mm.
[0100] Apical diameter.—60.5 mm.
[0101] General shape in profile.—Oblate.
[0102] Position of broadest part.—Middle.
[0103] Shape in cross-section.—Round.
[0104] Presence of neck.—Absent.
[0105] Presence of depression at stalk end.—Present.
[0106] Presence of areola.—Absent.
[0107] Presence of navel.—Absent.
[0108] Rind color.—Orange N25B.
[0109] Rind thickness.—3.4 mm.
[0110] Ease of peeling.—Easy to medium.
[0111] Rind texture.—Smooth to medium.
[0112] Rind glossiness.—Strong.
[0113] Albedo color.—Yellow 15D.
[0114] Quantity of fruit segments per fruit.—9 to 12.
[0115] Toughness of segment membrane.—Weak.
[0116] Juice sac length.—8 mm to 12 mm.
[0117] Juice sac shape.—Elongated.
[0118] Juice sac color.—Yellow-orange N21A.
[0119] Flesh color.—Orange N25B.
[0120] Juice soluble solids.—8.8° Brix.
[0121] Relative harvest maturity.—January to May; after ‘Tango’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,863), a middle to late maturing variety.
[0122] Parthenocarpy.—Present.
[0123] Seeds.—None.
[0124] Market use: Fresh.
[0125] Keeping quality: Excellent.
[0126] Shipping quality: Excellent.
Claims
1. A new and distinct mandarin tree named ‘AC4916’ substantially as described and illustrated herein.