FC12-029

Blueberry

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'ZF08-095' (Berry Bux)

Summary: The plants of 'FC12-029' have strong vigour with an arching growth habit whereas the plants of 'ZF08-095' have medium vigour with an upright growth habit. The plants of 'FC12-029' are wider than the plants of 'ZF08-095'. The fruit of 'FC12-029' is wider than the fruit of 'ZF08-095'. The calyx basin of 'FC12-029' is wider than that of 'ZF08-095'.

Description:

PLANT: strong vigour, arching growth habit, fruiting on one-year-old and current season's shoots, first vegetative bud burst begins very early
ONE-YEAR-OLD SHOOT: green

LEAF: early leaf dark brown green (RHS 147A), medium length to width ratio, elliptic shape, medium intensity green colour on upper side, entire margin

FLOWERING: begins mid to late season on current season and one-year-old shoots
FLOWER BUD: weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA: urceolate shape, small, weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration
COROLLA TUBE: ridges present

FRUIT CLUSTER: sparse density
UNRIPE FRUIT: light green (with bloom), fruit ripening begins mid-season on one-year-old shoots
FRUIT: medium sized, round in longitudinal section, shallow calyx basin, medium firm, medium sweetness, low acidity
FRUIT SKIN: strong bloom intensity, dark blue skin (after removal of bloom)
SEPALS: semi-erect and incurving

Origin & Breeding History: 'FC12-029' (Sapphire Cascade) originated from a controlled cross between proprietary female parent 'NC-4339' and proprietary male parent 'ZF09-246' conducted in Lowell, Oregon, USA in May 2010. The new variety 'FC12-029' was selected in Lowell Oregon, USA in July 2012 based on plant vigour, plant habit, leaf colour, and fruit production. Asexual reproduction by stem cutting was initiated in Lowell, Oregon, USA in 2012.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'FC12-029' was conducted in an outdoor container trial during the summer of 2023 at Bioflora Inc., in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included a total of 8 plants each of the candidate variety and reference variety. All plants were grown in 3 gallon (11 litre) pots from summer 2021 to summer 2023. The plants were overwintered in a plus zero heated polyhouse and moved outdoors in the spring to a drip irrigated field arranged in rows with approximately 1 metre spacing between plants. Observations and measurements were taken from all plants of each variety throughout the growing season. Mean differences were significant at the 5% confidence probability level based on a paired Student's t-test. All colour determinations were made using the 2015 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'FC12-029' with reference variety 'ZF08-095'

Plant width (cm)

Fruit width (mm)

Calyx basin diameter (mm)

Click on image for larger view

Blueberry: 'FC12-029' (left) with reference variety 'ZF08-095' (right)