[0001]Common name: Mandarin.

[0002]Botanical classification: Citrus sp.

[0003]Variety denomination: ‘HAYASE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

[0004]The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Mandarin, Citrus sp., which has been given the variety denomination ‘HAYASE’.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

[0005]The parent varieties are ‘TSUNONOZOMI’ (female parent) (not patented in the U.S.), and ‘SETOKA’ (male parent) (not patented in the U.S.) respectively.

[0006]The variety was developed and propagated in Minami-Shimabara, Nagasaki, Japan.

[0007]The variety was reproduced asexually by vegetative reproduction by top grafting one-year-old scions on rootstocks, also in Minami-Shimabara, Nagasaki, Japan. The rootstock used was satsuma mandarin (not patented) as an interstock grafted onto Poncirus trifoliata (trifoliate orange).

[0008]In 2001, the parent varieties were crossed. Seeds were collected to be grown in the next year.

[0009]In 2002, seeds were grown and seedlings were grafted on top of ‘Shiikuwasha’ rootstock.

[0010]In 2005, first fruiting was observed.

[0011]In 2008, preliminary individual selection and characteristics evaluation were performed. Selected plants were grafted on top of satsuma mandarin interstock.

[0012]In 2017, the plant was named ‘Kankitsu kuchinotsu 53’ as a provisional name for a promising breeding line. Growing tests for local adaptability were started under confidentiality conditions.

[0013]In 2023, breeding was completed with DUS status confirmed (distinct, uniform, and stable), whereby it was confirmed that the instant tree reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

[0014]In 2024, the variety was named ‘HAYASE’ and PVP application No. 37,416 was filed on May 8, 2024 in the Plant Variety Protection Office in Japan, whose content is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

[0015]Cultivation of the variety does not require special conditions or treatments.

[0016]The variety is currently mainly intended for fruit production.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

[0017]This new mandarin plant ‘HAYASE’ has tree habit in-between upright and spreading, spindle-shaped leaf blade with acuminate apex and acute base, vestigial wing, fruit with high diameter/height ratio (average 1.34) and medium weight (average 149.9 g), no neck, a flat distal part, bright orange (JHS 1305) skin color, thin peel thickness, easy to medium peeling, deep orange (JHS 1307) color when fresh, juicy when fresh, high sweetness, very few seeds, early maturity, and low acidity.

[0018]Specifically, Table 1 below shows a comparison between the instant variety ‘HAYASE’ and the female parent ‘TSUNONOZOMI’ as follows (evaluation based on averages):

[0020]Table 2 below shows a comparison between the instant variety ‘HAYASE’ and the male parent ‘SETOKA’, which is also a comparative variety.

[0022]The fruit of ‘HAYASE’ having few spines on a one year old shoot, no pollen, a straight-style shape, medium to heavy weight, and low acidity, distinguishes it notably from comparative variety ‘SETOKA’ (not patented in US) having many spines on one year old shoot, few pollens, a curved-style shape, heavy weight, and medium to high acidity.

[0023]Table 3 below shows a comparison between the instant variety ‘HAYASE’ and the comparative variety ‘ASUMI’ (not patented in U.S.).

[0025]Table 4 below shows a comparison between the instant variety ‘HAYASE’ and the comparative variety ‘ASUKI’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 31,146 P3).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027]In the accompanying drawings, which are as nearly true as is reasonable possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

[0028]FIG. 1 is a color photograph showing a general view of an illustrative mandarin tree of the variety named ‘HAYASE’ bearing fruits.

[0029]FIG. 2 is a color photograph showing flowers of ‘HAYASE’.

[0030]FIG. 3 is a color photograph showing flower organs of ‘HAYASE’.

[0031]FIG. 4 is a color photograph showing fruits of ‘HAYASE’.

[0032]FIG. 5 is a color photograph showing sections of fruit of ‘HAYASE’.

[0033]FIG. 6 is a color photograph showing flowers of ‘HAYASE’, together with flowers of ‘SETOKA’ (male parent and comparative variety) and ‘TSUNONOZOMI’ (female parent).

[0034]FIG. 7 is a color photograph showing the horizontal section, the transverse section, upper view and lower view of a fruit of ‘HAYASE’ together with a fruit of female parent ‘TSUNONOZOMI’, and male parent ‘SETOKA’, illustrating the difference between the fruit apex shape, in that the fruit of ‘HAYASE’ has a flat apex, whereas the fruit of ‘TSUNONOZOMI’ has a sinking apex.

[0035]FIG. 8 is a color photograph showing a fruiting state on the tree of ‘HAYASE’.

[0036]FIG. 9 is another color photograph showing a fruiting state on the tree of ‘HAYASE’.

[0037]Due to chemical and/or digital development, processing and printing, the plants or portions of plants depicted in the photographs may or may not be precisely accurate, when compared to the actual botanical specimens.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038]Table 3 below shows the botanical description of the ‘HAYASE’ plants evaluated in 2022 and 2023 (including the comparison with the reference plant ‘SETOKA’). The values provided are averages. The ages of the trees evaluated was 7 years, and the location of the trees evaluated was Shizuoka-city, Shizuoka, Japan.

[0039]The ‘HAYASE’ plants shown on the photographs were grown at Shizuoka-city, Shizuoka, Japan. The plants were 7-year grown trees after top grafting. The tree was photographed on Nov. 24, 2023, the flowers were photographed on Apr. 30, 2023, and the fruits were photographed on Jan. 5, 2023.

[0040]Colors are given according to the J.H.S. (Japan Horticultural Society) Color Chart.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

OTHER FEATURES OF THE PLANT ARE AS FOLLOWS

[0042]Disease and pest resistance: normal resistance was observed for pests and diseases in Shizuoka-city, Shizuoka Japan, in particular the following pests: thrips, fruit-piercing stink bugs, scales; and the following diseases: Citrus canker, melanose, botrytis fruit injury.

[0043]Tree hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zone: 9a-9b.