Raspberry Plant Named ‘VR-16.001-39’

Name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Rubus idaeus.

Variety denomination: ‘VR-16.001-39’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct fall bearing raspberry variety designated as ‘VR-16.001-39’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made in 2016 in Watsonville, California between raspberry variety ‘VR 12.002-15’ (unpatented) as the female parent and raspberry variety ‘VR 12.001-06’ (unpatented) as the male parent in an ongoing breeding program. The variety is botanically known as Rubus idaeus and was tested as ‘VR 16.001-39’ and ‘VR-0139’.

The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was asexually propagated by dormant canes in Santa Cruz County, California and was subsequently selected by the inventor from a controlled breeding plot in Watsonville, California in 2018. After its selection, the new variety was further asexually propagated by dormant canes, roots and non-dormant root shoot cuttings in Watsonville (Santa Cruz Co), Manteca (San Joaquin Co), and Macdoel (Siskiyou Co), California. The new variety was then extensively tested over the next several years in fruiting fields in Watsonville, California. This propagation has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein as characterizing the new variety are fixed and remain true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘VR-16.001-39’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the central coast of California. This region provides the necessary year-round temperatures required for it to produce and maintain a strong vigorous plant and to remain in fruit production from July through December on primocanes and in the ensuing year from May through July on the floricanes. Damage to fruit and young leaves has been observed in summer temperatures at or above 95° F. (35° C.). No winter damage has been observed on fruiting plants in off-cycle (winter) production regions of USDA climate zones 9b and above. No winter damage has been observed on dormant plants in on-cycle (summer) production regions of USDA climate zones 7b-9b. In climate zones below this, winter hardiness is unknown for ‘VR-16.001-39’. ‘VR-16.001-39’ is not drought tolerant and requires frequent irrigation to maintain proper plant health. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘VR-16.001-39’, which in combination distinguish this raspberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

•

• 1. Dark red prickles. • 2. High fruit yield. • 3. Vivid red fruit color. • 4. Absent to very weak primocane glaucosity. • 5. Very good flavor.

The raspberry variety that is believed to be most closely related to the new raspberry variety ‘VR-16.001-39’ is the raspberry variety ‘MAJESTIC’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 31,716). In comparison to the similar raspberry variety ‘MAJESTIC’, ‘VR-16.001-39’ differs by the following combination of characteristics described in Table 1:

Comparison Between ‘VR-16.001-39’ and ‘Majestic’

TABLE 1

‘MAJESTIC’

(U.S. Plant Pat.

Characteristic ‘VR-16.001-39’ No. 31,716)

Petiole anthocyanins Strong Absent to very weak

(upper surface)

Predominate number Always 3 Equal 3-5

of leaflets

Leaf shape (cross Slightly concave Slightly convex

section)

Overall shape of Lobed Ovate

lateral leaflet

Rugosity Weak Medium

Color mature fruit RHS 46B RHS 43A

Vivid red Vivid reddish orange

Prickle tip coloration 183B N186B

Dark red Dark greyish purple

‘VR-16.001-39’ differs from its parents, ‘VR 12.002-15’ and ‘VR 12.001-06’ by the following combination of characteristics described in Table 2:

Comparison Between ‘VR-16.001-39’, ‘VR 12.002-15’ and ‘VR 12.001-06’

TABLE 2

Characteristic

‘VR ‘VR

‘VR-16.001-39’ 12.002-15’ 12.001-06’

Productivity High Medium Medium

Crates/Acre (18-Mo) 9,064 8,187 7,922

Glossiness (fruit) Medium High Low

Firmness (fruit) Medium Low High

Adherence of Very weak Strong Weak

receptacle

Primocane time of Medium Medium Medium

fruiting

Fruit size Medium Large Medium

Primocane fruit 4.1 6.6 4.0

weight (g)

Flavor Very good Poor Good

Soluble Solids 10.5 6.8 8.5

(% brix)

For identification, a series of molecular markers have been determined for this new variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new raspberry variety, ‘VR-16.001-39’ at various stages of development as true as reasonably possible with color reproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describes the color of ‘VR-16.001-39’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new raspberry variety ‘VR-16.001-39’ were taken in Watsonville, California and are approximately 2 to 16 months old:

FIG. 1 shows typical primocane fruit shape, color and gloss characteristics of ‘VR-16.001-39’ taken in the month of October 2022;

FIG. 2 shows typical shape, gloss, coloration, foliate and rugosity characteristics of ‘VR-16.001-39’ taken in the month of October 2022;

FIG. 3 shows typical fruiting lateral characteristics of ‘VR-16.001-39’ taken in the month of June 2023;

FIG. 4 shows typical floricane plant characteristics of ‘VR-16.001-39’ taken in the month of June 2023.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

‘VR-16.001-39’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety may vary in detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type, and location.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following description of the new raspberry variety ‘VR-16.001-39’, unless otherwise noted, are based upon observations taken during the 2022-2023 growing season in Watsonville, California. Primocane measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘VR-16.001-39’ dug from a nursery located in Siskiyou County, California during the middle of October 2021 and planted approximately 3 to 4 weeks later in Watsonville, California. The approximate age of the observed primocane plants is 7 to 8 months. Floricane measurements and ratings were taken from the same planting of ‘VR-16.001-39’ at an approximate age of 16 to 18 months. Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from three years of data collected from the 2020 through 2023 production seasons. Flower measurements and characteristics are from secondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruit characteristics and measurements are from secondary fruit unless otherwise noted. Foliage characteristics and measurements are from 3-foliate foliage unless otherwise noted.

Color terminology where noted follows The R.H.S. Colour Chart Sixth Edition, Royal Horticultural Society, London, United Kingdom (2015).

The following Tables 3-7 describe fruit, plant, foliage, flower and pest/disease characteristics of the new raspberry ‘VR-16.001-39’ in comparison to the similar raspberry varieties ‘MAJESTIC’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 31,716).

Comparison Between ‘VR-16.001-39’ and ‘Majestic’

TABLE 3

FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS

‘MAJESTIC’

(U.S. Plant Pat.

Characteristic ‘VR-16.001-39’ No. 31,716)

Color mature fruit RHS 46B RHS 43A

Vivid red Vivid reddish orange

Color achenes RHS 159A RHS 159A

Light yellowish pink Light yellowish pink

Fruit length (mm) 20.96 25.49

Fruit width (mm) 21.84 22.73

Length/width ratio 1.11 1.12

Longer than broad Longer than broad

Seed weight (mg) 1.59 1.68

Drupelets per berry 88 131

Weight of single drupe 0.041 0.044

(g/drupe)

Drupe length (mm) 3.92 7.15

Drupe diameter (mm) 3.48 4.19

Relative size of drupes Medium Medium

Fruit size Medium Medium

Fruit per node 10 11

Predominant shape Conical Conical

Receptacle length (mm) 18.78 23.55

Receptacle diameter (mm) 8.21 10.41

Receptacle color RHS 158B RHS 155B

Pale yellow Yellowish white

Evenness of color (fruit) Even Even

Glossiness High High

Adherence of receptacle Very weak Weak

Firmness of flesh Medium High

Firmness of skin Medium High

Soluble Solids (% brix) 10.5 10.8

Flavor Very good Very good

Fruit use (Intended market) Fresh market Fresh market

TABLE 4

PLANT CHARACTERISTICS

‘MAJESTIC’

(U.S. Plant Pat.

Characteristic ‘VR-16.001-39’ No. 31,716)

General:

Habit Upright Upright

Plant height (m) 1.5 1.8

Plant width (cm) 37 35

Time to initiate roots (days) 10-12 10-12

Canes per hill 10.4 10.4

Productivity High High

Crates/Acre (18-Mo) 9,064 10,490

Self-fruitfulness Yes Yes

Type of bearing Everbearing Everbearing

Primocane:

Color (true) RHS 145B RHS 145A

Light yellow Strong yellow

green green

Length (cm) 153.2 178.1

Basal diameter (mm) 18.36 13.62

Diameter central 1/3 (mm) 10.21 11.38

Lateral length at central 1/3 (cm) 47.1 28.5

No. fruiting laterals per cane 12.9 15.3

Total nodes per cane 30 35

Internode length at central 1/3 49.11 39.01

(mm)

Anthocyanin coloration RHS 59A RHS 59B

Dark red Deep purplish red

Anthocyanin intensity Absent to very Absent to very

weak weak

Pubescence Absent Absent

Vegetative bud length (mm) 7.48 10.34

Vegetative bud diameter (mm) 3.89 5.46

Vegetative bud shape Ovate Ovate

Vegetative bud color RHS 187A RHS 187B

Dark red Dark red

Strength of waxy coat (glaucosity) Absent to very Absent to very

weak weak

Time of flowering Medium Medium

Time of fruiting Medium Medium

Length of fruiting season Long Long

% of total yield 57% 44%

Flowering period Late June to Late June to

Late November Late November

Harvest period Late July to Late July to

Late December Late December

Primocane fruit weight (g) 4.1 4.2

Primocane yield (g/plant) 2,103 2,571

Young Shoots:

Number (per meter) 15-20 15-20

Medium Medium

Anthocyanin presence Present Present

Anthocyanin coloration RHS 179A RHS 179A

Moderate red Moderate red

Anthocyanin intensity Weak Medium

Prickeles:

Prickle coloration (tip) RHS 183B RHS N186B

Dark red Dark greyish

purple

Prickle coloration (base) RHS 183B RHS N186C

Dark red Dark greyish red

Prickle length at central 1/3 (mm) 1.56 0.70

Prickle base at central 1/3 (mm) 1.39 1.23

Prickle presence Present Present

Prickle density per cm at 7.43 5.35

central 1/3 Dense Medium

Pricke texture Rigid Rigid

Attitude of the tip Horizontal Horizontal

Floricane:

Color (true) RHS 165B RHS 165B

Brownish orange Brownish orange

Length (cm) 139.5 130.8

Width at central 1/3 (mm) 10.92 10.88

Total nodes per cane 18 20

Internode length at central 48.65 40.70

1/3 (mm)

Fruiting lateral attitude Erect Erect

Time bud burst Late Medium

Time of flowering Late Medium

Time of fruiting Late Medium

Length of fruiting season Medium to long Medium to long

% of total yield 43% 56%

Flowering period Early May to Late April to

Late June Late June

Harvest period Early June to Late May to

Late July Late July

Floricane fruit weight (g) 3.9 4.0

Floricane yield (g/plant) 1,654 3,273

TABLE 5

FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS

‘MAJESTIC’

(U.S. Plant Pat.

‘VR-16.001-39’ No. 31,716)

Characteristic (3 Foliate) (3 Foliate)

General:

Color of upper surface RHS NN137C RHS 137A

Greyish olive Moderate olive

green green

Color of lower surface RHS 190B RHS 192A

Pale green Pale yellow green

Venation Pinnate Pinnate

Shape in cross section Slightly concave Slightly convex

Arrangement Compound Compound

Relief between veins Weak Medium

(rugosity)

Glossiness Weak Weak

Number of leaflets/leaf Always 3 Equal 3-5

Total leaf length (cm) 21.7 21.2

Total leaf width (cm) 19.6 22.1

Terminal Leaflet:

Length (mm) 128.5 116.2

Width (mm) 91.3 79.1

Length/width ratio 1.4 1.5

Longer than Longer than

broad broad

Size Medium Medium

Shape Lobed Cordate

Shape of base Cordate Cordate

Shape of tip Acuminate Acuminate

Margins Biserrate Biserrate

Lateral Leaflet:

Length (mm) 98.0 104.9

Width (mm) 62.0 77.2

Length/width ratio 1.6 1.3

Longer than Longer than

broad broad

Rachis length (mm) 30.12 43.11

Rachis diameter (mm) 1.59 1.90

Rachis anthocyanin RHS 181B RHS 184A

coloration of upper Moderate red Greyish red

surface

Rachis anthocyanin Strong Weak

intensity

Orientation Opposite Opposite

Arrangement Compound Compound

Shape Ovate Ovate

Overlapping Free Overlapping

Shape of the base Oblique Rounded

Shape of the tip Acuminate Acuminate

Margins Biserrate Biserrate

Petiole:

Length (mm) 58.57 61.10

Width (mm) 2.56 4.68

Prickle presence Yes Yes

Prickle orientation Erect Erect

Anthocyanin coloration RHS 181A RHS 180B

of upper surface Moderate red Moderate red

Anthocyanin intensity Strong Absent to very

of upper surface weak

Stipule length (mm) 10.56 10.70

Stipule width (mm) 0.78 0.89

Stipule orientation Erect Erect

TABLE 6

FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS

‘MAJESTIC’

(U.S. Plant Pat.

Characteristic ‘VR-16.001-39’ No. 31,716)

Petal color (upper RHS NN155C RHS 155C

surface) White Greenish white

Petal color (lower RHS NN155C RHS 155C

surface) White Greenish white

Flower diameter (mm) 27.86 21.22

Petal Length (mm) 8.99 7.46

Petal width (mm) 4.06 3.10

Petal length/width 2.21 2.40

ratio Much longer Much longer

than broad than broad

Petal shape in cross Flat Flat

section

Petal shape (overall) Narrowly spatulate Narrowly spatulate

Petal shape (apex) Rounded Rounded

Petal shape (base) Attenuate Attenuate

Petal margin Entire Entire

Petal texture Glabrous Glabrous

No. petals/flower 5.2 5.2

No. sepals/flower 5.2 5.4

Sepal length (mm) 11.26 9.70

Sepal width at base (mm) 4.40 5.20

Sepal shape Deltate Widely deltate

Sepal shape (apex) Acuminate Acuminate

Sepal coloration (upper RHS 144A RHS 144A

surface) Strong yellow Strong yellow

green green

Sepal coloration (lower RHS 144B RHS 144B

surface) Strong yellow Strong yellow

green green

Sepal margin Entire Entire

Sepal texture Slightly pubescent Slightly pubescent

No. stamen/flower 87 95

Filament length (mm) 6.05 5.19

Filament color RHS 155C RHS 155C

Greenish white Greenish white

Pollen quantity High High

Pollen color RHS 196D RHS 196D

Yellowish white Yellowish white

Anther length (mm) 1.01 1.12

Anther diameter (mm) 0.44 0.51

Anther coloration (pre- RHS 155C RHS 155C

dehiscence) Greenish white Greenish white

Anther coloration (post- RHS 165B RHS 165B

dehiscence) Brownish orange Brownish orange

Stigma shape Lobed Lobed

Stigma length (mm) 0.10 0.10

Stigma diameter (mm) 0.40 0.41

Stigma coloration RHS 145D RHS 145D

Light yellow Light yellow

green green

Style length (mm) 3.00 3.10

Style diameter (mm) 0.40 0.40

Style coloration RHS 145D RHS 145D

Light yellow Light yellow

green green

Ovule length (mm) 1.38 1.39

Ovule diameter (mm) 1.39 1.42

Ovule coloration RHS 145B RHS 145B

Light yellow Light yellow

green green

Pedicle length (mm) 20.23 20.15

Pedicle diameter (mm) 1.12 1.42

Pedicle anthocyanin RHS 181B RHS 181C

coloration Moderate red Moderate red

Pedicle anthocyanin Medium Absent to very

intensity weak

Relative number of 15.2 22.1

pedicel prickles Medium Many

Peduncle anthocyanin Present Present

presence

Peduncle anthocyanin RHS 181B RHS 184A

coloration Moderate red Greyish red

Peduncle anthocyanin Medium Absent to very

intensity weak

TABLE 7

PEST AND DISEASE REACTIONS

‘MAJESTIC’

(U.S. Plant Pat.

Characteristic ‘VR-16.001-39’ No. 31,716)

Spotted wing drosophila Susceptible Susceptible

( Drosophila suzukii )

Two spotted spider mite Susceptible Susceptible

( Tetranychus urticae )

Grey fruit mold Susceptible Susceptible

( Botrytis cinerae )

Powdery mildew Susceptible Moderately

( Podosphaera aphanis susceptible

var. aphonic )

Yellow rust Moderately Moderately

( Phragmidium rubi - idaei ) resistant resistant