Blueberry plant denominated `Draper`

Abstract

Draper is a new blueberry variety of Vaccinium corymbosum from the Michigan State University breeding program. It is composed primarily of genes of Vaccinium corymbosum, but has a small contribution (<5%) from V. tenellum, V. ashei and V. darrowi. It is a productive, early mid-season ripening variety with very high fresh market quality and probably a long storage life. It is intended for areas where northern highbush cultivars are grown successfully. Plants of Draper are vigorous and upright. Canes are numerous, moderately branched and the fruit are well exposed. Its berries are moderately large, have small, dry picking scars, excellent powder-blue color, delicious flavor and excellent firmness. The size of the fruit is unusually regular and is presented in a loose cluster.

Description

Latin name and variety denomination: The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Vaccinium corymbosum, which is hereby denominated `Draper.`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONSThis application is related to the present inventor's United States patent applications entitled "Blueberry plant denominated `Aurora,`" U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 10 / 350,345, filed Jan. 23, 2003, and entitled "Blueberry Plant denominated `Liberty,`" U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 10 / 350,343, filed Jan. 23, 2003. Both of these applications are also assigned to the assignee of the present application. The disclosures of the above applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of highbush blueberry plant, denominated `Draper.` Draper is a new blueberry variety of Vaccinium corymbosum from the Michigan State University Breeding Program. It includes genes of Vaccinium corymbosum, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a new variety of highbush blueberry plant called \"Draper.\" It is a product of a breeding program at Michigan State University and is a combination of genes from several other blueberry varieties. It has high yields, excellent flavor, and a long storage life. It is intended for areas where other blueberry varieties are grown successfully. The plant is vigorous, with many canes and a loose cluster of berries. The genes of Draper were introduced into the background of another blueberry variety called \"Duke\" to create a new variety with the desirable traits of both varieties. The new variety has been tested and shown to have stable characteristics. It is also tolerant to fluctuating temperatures and has excellent winter hardiness. The technical effects of the new blueberry variety are its high yield, excellent flavor, and long storage life."

Problems solved by technology

The predominant mid-season blueberry variety now grown, `Bluecrop,` has very high yields, but the fruit are often sour, do not ripen evenly and have limited storage life.

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