Blueberry plant called ‘Emerald’

Abstract

A new and distinct low-chill, tetraploid highbush blueberry (Vaccinium) variety of complex ancestry, based largely on V. corymbosum L. with some genes from V. darrowi Camp. Its V. darrowi genes derive from the fact that the recurrent selection program that gave rise to ‘Emerald’, while largely based on V. corymbosum parentage, also involved some V. darrowi clones. Because ‘Emerald’ is of interspecific origin, it does not correspond to any botanical species, but rather, combines genes from the two species V. corymbosum and V. darrowi . The novelty of the new clone consists of the following unique combination of features: 1 . Produces a vigorous, upright plant with high yield potential. 2 . Flowers and produces new spring vegetation vigorously in Florida in areas where the mean January temperature is 62° F. or colder. 3 . Produces fruit that are large, firm, have a good picking scar, and a good flavor. 4 . Can readily be propagated by softwood cuttings under mist. 5 . Ripens 80% of its fruit between April 15 and May 10 in north-central Florida. 6 . Ripens its fruit 60 days after flowering in north-central Florida. 7 . Has moderate to high resistance to phytophthora root rot, botryosphaeria stem blight, botryosphaeria cane canker, and the leaf diseases that are common on blueberries in Florida.

I claim:  
     
       1. A new and distinct highbush blueberry plant, substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by its low chilling requirement, early flowering, early ripening, high yield potential, large, sweet to sub acid berry, high berry firmness, small, dry picking scar, and medium to high resistance to the major blueberry pests in north Florida.