ZF06-043

Blueberry

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Top Hat' and 'Sunshine Blue'

Summary: The leaf of 'ZF06-043' is larger than the leaf of both reference varieties. The leaf shape of 'ZF06-043' is elliptic whereas it is lanceolate for both reference varieties. The leaf margin for 'ZF06-043' is entire whereas it is serrate for 'Top Hat'. The corolla tube for 'ZF06-043' is medium sized with a weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration whereas the corolla tube for 'Top Hat' is small with an absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration. The fruit size of 'ZF06-043' is medium to large whereas the fruit for 'Top Hat' is small. Flowering on one-year-old shoots of 'ZF06-043' begins mid-season whereas flowering begins early in the season for 'Top Hat'. Fruit ripening begins early to mid-season for 'ZF06-043' whereas it begins mid to late season for both reference varieties.

Description:

PLANT: very strong vigour, semi-upright growth habit, flowers and fruits on one-year-old shoots only, flowering begins mid-season, fruit ripening begins early to mid-season
ONE-YEAR-OLD SHOOT: green and greenish red, medium internode length

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

COROLLA: urceolate shape
CORROLA TUBE: medium size with ridges, weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration

FRUIT: dense fruit cluster, medium intensity of green on unripe fruit, medium to large, oblate shape in longitudinal section, sepals incurving with semi-erect attitude, shallow to medium depth calyx basin, medium bloom intensity, dark blue skin, medium firmness, high to very high sweetness, low acidity

Origin & Breeding History: 'ZF06-043' arose from a cross between 'Toro' (female parent) and 'FLX-2' (male parent) made on April 21, 2003 in Lowell, Oregon. From the resulting progeny, 'ZF06-043' was selected in 2006 for its foliage colour and growth habit.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trials for 'ZF06-043' were conducted by Expert Agriculture Team Ltd., in Chilliwack, British Columbia during the 2015 growing season. The plots were planted in the spring of 2014 in a randomized complete block design. Each variety consisted of 3 replicates with 3 plants per replicate for a total of 9 plants of each variety. Plants were spaced approximately 60 centimetres apart within rows and 3 metres between rows. Measurements were taken from 9 plants or parts of plants of each variety. Mean differences were significant at the 5% confidence probability level based on a paired Student's t-test.

Comparison tables for 'ZF06-043' with reference varieties 'Top Hat' and 'Sunshine Blue'

Leaf length (cm)

Leaf width (cm)

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Blueberry: 'ZF06-043' (top) with reference varieties 'Top Hat' (centre) and 'Sunshine Blue' (bottom)