Raspberry plant named ‘PS-12.082-54’

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed:

Variety denomination: ‘PS-12.082-54’.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct fall-bearing raspberry variety designated as ‘PS-12.082-54’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made in 2012 in Watsonville, California between raspberry variety ‘BOUNTIFUL’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,582) as the female parent and raspberry variety ‘PARAGON’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,583) as the male parent in an ongoing breeding program. The variety is botanically known asand was tested as ‘RR 12.082-54’ and ‘PS-8254’.

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 2014. After its selection, the new variety was further asexually propagated by dormant canes, roots and non-dormant root shoot cuttings in Watsonville (Santa Cruz County), Manteca (San Joaquin County), and Macdoel (Siskiyou County), 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.

‘PS-12.082-54’ 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 a healthy plant stand and to remain in fruit production from July through November 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 zonesb 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 ‘PS-12.082-54’. ‘PS-12.082-54’ 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 ‘PS-12.082-54’, which in combination distinguish this raspberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

The raspberry variety that is believed to be most closely related to the new raspberry variety ‘PS-12.082-54’ is the raspberry variety ‘MAJESTIC’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 31,716). In comparison to the similar raspberry variety ‘MAJESTIC’, ‘PS-12.082-54’ differs by the following combination of characteristics described in Table 1:

‘PS-12.082-54’ differs from its parents, ‘BOUNTIFUL’ and ‘PARAGON’ by the following combination of characteristics described in Table 2:

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

‘PS-12.082-54’ 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 ‘PS-12.082-54’, unless otherwise noted, are based upon observations taken during the 2023-2024 growing season in Watsonville, California. Primocane measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘PS-12.082-54’ dug from a nursery located in Siskiyou County, California during the middle of October 2022 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 ‘PS-12.082-54’ at an approximate age of 16 to 18 months. Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from 3 years of data collected from the 2021 through 2024 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 ‘PS-12.082-54’ in comparison to the similar raspberry variety ‘MAJESTIC’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 31,716).