Mandarin plant named ‘Mikanken15’

Abstract

A new variety of Citrus plant named ‘Mikanken15’ that has dark orange fruit color, without seeds, high juiciness, orange-like flavor, ease of peeling the fruit by hand, good appearance, and good tasting qualities.

Description

[0001] Common name: Mandarin.

[0002] Botanical classification: Citrus spp.

[0003] Variety denomination: ‘Mikanken15’.BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

[0004] The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Mandarin, Citrus spp., which has been given the variety denomination ‘Mikanken15’.ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

[0005] The parent varieties are ‘HAREHIME’ (female parent) (not patented in the U.S., plant variety protection granted in Japan, PVP No. 1,209) and ‘Ehime17’ (male parent) (not patented in the U.S. nor in other countries), respectively.

[0006] The variety was developed and propagated in Uwajima, Ehime, Japan.

[0007] The variety was reproduced asexually by vegetative reproduction by top grafting one-year-old scions on rootstocks. The rootstock used was ‘MIYAGAWAWASE’ (not patented in the U.S. nor in other countries) as an interstock grafted onto Poncirus trifoliata (trifoliate orange).

[0008] In 2005, crossing the parent varieties.

[0009] In 2006, collected seeds were grown.

[0010] In 2008, they were grafted on top of rootstock.

[0011] In 2010, the first fruit was harvested.

[0012] In 2012, lines were primary selected and secondary selected, and the variety was named ‘Mikanken15’.

[0013] In 2024, Breeding is completed with determination of distinct, uniform, and stable (DUS) status confirmed.

[0014] Cultivation of the variety does not require special conditions or treatments.

[0015] The variety is currently mainly intended for fruit production.SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

[0016] The new mandarin plant ‘Mikanken15’ has leaf blades with very small ratio length / width, short petiole length, very short length of petal, which distinguish ‘Mikanken15’ from its female parent ‘HAREHIME’.

[0017] Also, the new mandarin plant ‘Mikanken15’ having absent or sparse density of spines, and short petiole length and very short length of petal, distinguish it notably from the comparative variety ‘SEINANNOHIKARI’ (not patented in the U.S., plant variety protection granted in Japan, PVP No. 17,969).

[0018] A comparison with the male parent ‘Ehime17’ is not available because ‘Ehime17’ was an old breeding line, whose states of characteristics are unknown and for which there are no long living plant materials.

[0019] A comparison with both ‘HAREHIME’ and ‘SEINANNOHIKARI’ is as follows (evaluation based on averages):

[0020] TABLE 1PresentReferenceReferencevarietyvarietyvariety‘Mikanken Characteristics‘HAREHIME’‘SEINANNOHIKARI’15’Tree: Density Absent orDenseAbsent orof spinesparsesparseLeaf blade: ratioMediumVery smallVery smalllength / width(2.3)(1.9)(2.0)Petiole: lengthLongMediumShort(2.0 cm)(1.5 cm)(1.3 cm)Flower: length ShortShortVery shortof petal(12.5 mm)(13.6 mm)(7.2 mm)BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In the accompanying drawings, which are as nearly true as is reasonable possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

[0022] FIG. 1 is a color photograph showing a general view of the mandarin plant ‘Mikanken15’ bearing fruits.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a color photograph showing flowers of ‘Mikanken15’

[0024] FIG. 3 is a color photograph showing leaves of ‘Mikanken15’;

[0025] FIG. 4 is a color photograph showing fruits of ‘Mikanken15’.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a color photograph showing the flowers of ‘Mikanken15’ and the comparative varieties ‘HAREHIME’ and ‘SEINANNOHIKARI’, illustrating the difference in the lower length of petals.

[0027] Due to chemical and / or digital development, processing and printing, the plants or portions of plants depicted in the photographs may or may not be precisely accurate, when compared to the actual botanical specimens.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] The botanical description and the photographs are of the ‘Mikanken15’ plants evaluated in 2023 and 2024 (including for the comparison with the reference plants ‘HAREHIME’ and ‘SEINANNOHIKARI’). The values provided are averages.

[0029] The plants shown on the photographs were grown at Uwajima, Ehime, Japan. The plant is a 10-year old plant grown after top grafting. The tree was photographed on Dec. 3, 2023, the flowers were photographed on Apr. 25, 2024, the mature leaves were photographed on Dec. 17, 2023, and the fruit were photographed on Dec. 3, 2023. The botanical description below is that of a 10-year old plant.

[0030] Colors are given according to the Colors are given according to the J.H.S. (Japan Horticultural Society) Color Chart. (2nd edition 1997 reprint).BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0031] TABLE 2CharacteristicsStatesValuesPloidyDiploidTree: height3.6mTree: spread3.5mTree: trunk diameter (10 cm above the23cmgraft location)Trunk textureRoughCrotch angle62°Tree: growth habitSpreadingTree: density of spinesAbsent or 5.3sparseTree: length of spines0.3cmBranch: length7.5mmBranch: diameter2.9mmBranch: textureSmoothLeaf blade: length (apical leaflet in caseMedium9.5cmof compound leaf)Leaf blade: width (as for No. 5)Medium4.8cmLeaf blade: ratio length / width (as for No.Very small2.05)Leaf blade: shape in cross section (asIntermediatefor No. 5)Leaf blade: twistingAbsent or weakLeaf blade: blisteringAbsent or weakLeaf blade: green colorMediumLeaf blade: undulation of marginAbsent or weakLeaf blade: incisions of marginAbsentLeaf blade: shape of apexAcuteLeaf blade: emargination at tipAbsentPetiole: lengthShort1.3cmPetiole: presence of wingsPresentVarieties with petiole wings presentNarrow2.9mmonly: Petiole: width of wingsFlower: diameter of calyx0.6cmFlower: length of petalVery short7.2mmFlower: width of petalMedium5.3mmFlower: ratio length / width of petal1.4Flower: length of stamens4.7mmAnther: colorLight yellowJHS 2202Style: length4.5mmInfructescence: clustering of fruitsPresentFruit: length4.6cmFruit: diameter7.9cmFruit: ratio length / diameterMedium1.72Fruit: position of broadest partAt middleFruit: shape in transverse sectionCircularFruit: general shape of proximal partFlattened(excluding neck, collar and depressionat stalk end)Fruit: presence of neckAbsentOnly varieties without fruit neck: Fruit:Presentpresence of depression at stalk endOnly varieties without fruit neck:4.3mmFruit: depth of depression at stalk endFruit: presence of constriction at stalkAbsentendFruit: number of radial grooves at stalkIntermediateendFruit: length of radial grooves at stalk9.6mmendFruit: presence of collarAbsentFruit: abscission layer between floralAbsent or disc and fruitweaklydevelopedFruit: general shape of distal partFlattened(excluding nipple, bulging of navel anddepression at distal end)Fruit: presence of depression at distalPresentendFruit: depth of depression at distal end2.1mmFruit: diameter of depression at distal32.4mmendFruit: presence of areolaIncompleteFruit: Type of areolaSmoothFruit: Diameter of areola1.7cmFruit: diameter of stylar scar2.1mmFruit: persistence of styleNoneFruit: presence of navel openingAbsentFruit: presence of radial grooves atAbsentdistal endFruit surface: predominant color(s)Medium JHS 1605orangeFruit surface: glossinessMediumFruit surface: roughnessSmoothFruit surface: size of oil glandsAll more or less the same sizeFruit surface: size of larger oil glandsSmallFruit surface: conspicuousness of largerStrongoil glandsFruit surface: presence of pitting andPitting andpebbling on oil glandspebbling absentFruit rind: thicknessThin2.2mmFruit rind: adherence to fleshWeakFruit rind: strengthMediumFruit rind: oilinessDryFruit rind: conspicuousness of oil glandsAbsent on inner surfaceor weaklyconspicuousFruit: color of albedoWhiteJHS 2502Fruit: density of albedoLooseFruit: amount of albedo adhering toSmallflesh (strands excluded)Fruit: presence of albedo strandsPresentFruit: Amount of albedo strandMediumFruit: main color of fleshDark orangeJHS 1607Fruit: filling of coreSparseFruit: diameter of coreLarge20.1mmFruit: presence of rudimentaryAbsent or segmentsvery weakFruit: number of well-developed15segmentsFruit: coherence of adjacent segmentMedium-wallsFruit: strength of segment wallsWeakFruit: length of juice vesicle4.0mmFruit: thickness of juice vesicles2.3mmFruit; conspicuousness of juice vesicleMediumwallsFruit: coherence of juice vesiclesMediumFruit: presence of navel (viewedAbsent or internally)very rareFruit: juicinessHighFruit juice: total soluble solidsHigh14.9Fruit juice: acidityLow0.91Fruit: strength of fiberWeakFruit: number of seeds (openAbsent or 0pollination)very fewSeed: polyembryonyAbsentTime of maturity of fruit for consumptionVery early Januaryto earlyFruit: parthenocarpyPresentFruit productivity (pounds or bushelsNot per acre)examined

[0032] Other features of the plant are as follows:

[0033] Disease and pest resistance: Not observed to date.

[0034] Tree hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zone 9b.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Citrus plant named ‘Mikanken15’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.

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