Blueberry plant named ‘OBG-16252’

Latin name of the genus and species:hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘OBG-16252’.

The Sequence Listing is submitted as an XML file named “Sequence.xml,” created on Sep. 8, 2025 (16,656 bytes), which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates to a new and distinct(rabbiteye blueberry) hybrid variety named ‘OBG-16252’.is of the family Ericaceae. ‘OBG-16252’ was first identified in a cultivated area in Silverton, Oregon, USA. The new variety is mid-season, has large berries, good flavor and firmness, with no observed notable diseases or other pest problems beyond those also common for other varieties, and a chilling requirement of approximately 500-600 hours below 45° F.

‘OBG-16252’ is a product of a cross of ‘T-959’ (() female parent, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,135) and ‘T-885’ (() hybrid male parent, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,374). The new blueberry plant variety ‘OBG-16252’ has been asexually propagated (by vegetative cuttings) plantings in Silverton, Oregon, USA, where it was also established for testing and comparison to industry standards.

Asexual reproduction of this new variety by vegetative cuttings shows that the foregoing characteristics come true to form, are firmly fixed, and are established and transmitted through succeeding propagations.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique and distinguishing characteristics of ‘OBG-16252’. In combination, these traits set the new variety apart from all other existing varieties of rabbiteye blueberry known to the inventors:

In trials for the new variety in Silverton, Oregon, USA, standards ‘T-959’ and ‘T-1101’ were chosen for comparison as the most similar commercially available varieties. In addition, ‘T-959’ is the female parent.

‘T-959’ is credited as having superior texture and flavor for the species. For the sake of this application, texture is largely a reflection of seed abundance within each berry, and flavor is a subjective measure based on responses from taste panel participants. ‘T-1101’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,623) is a pollinator for ‘T-959’, though it suffers from higher berry seed count and non-distinct flavor, traits that have historically made thespecies less popular amongst consumers and growers. Both ‘T-959’ and ‘OBG-16252’ are considered late season varieties, however ‘OBG-16252’ is ready to harvest approximately 7-10 days before ‘T-959’.

Table 1 below shows a combination of subjective and objective measures that were used in the evaluation of ‘OBG-16252’ against the standards, ‘T-1101’ and ‘T-959’. Subjective measures are rated on a scale of 1-10. Generally, flavor tends to reflect the panelists sensory perception of aroma as well as the balance of sugar and acid. Subjective measures of flavor are supplemented with objective data for soluble solids, pH, and titratable acidity. Texture is reflected through subjective panelist scores and is supported by the objective representation of seed counts.

The key improvements ‘OBG-16252’ offers to consumers include:

Other improvements include:

‘OBG-16252’ in an exceptional and unique new variety that will benefit the commercial blueberry industry.

The male parent (‘T-885’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,374) was not selected for side-by-side comparison as it has limited commercial production value and is primarily used as an edible ornamental for home gardening. However, based on data provided in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,374, ‘OBG-16252’ can be distinguished from ‘T-885’ at least by the characteristics provided in Table 2.

The color photographs show typical specimens of the new variety and depict the color as nearly true as is reasonably possible to make the same in a color illustration of this character. It should be noted that colors may vary, for example due to lighting conditions at the time the photograph is taken. Therefore, color characteristics of this new variety should be determined with reference to the observations described herein, rather than from the photograph alone.

Color descriptions and other terminology in this application are used in accordance with their ordinary dictionary descriptions, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Color designations (hue/value/chroma) are made with reference to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 5edition, London, England, 2007.

The following detailed description of ‘OBG-16252’ is based on observations of asexually reproduced progeny 3-4 years of age. The following detailed description concerns plants growing in open fields with supplemental irrigation in Brooks, Oregon, USA. The average low temperature for the year ranges from 40-45° F., and the average high temperature of the year ranges from 90-95° F. The color values were determined in August 2023 under natural light conditions in Brooks, Oregon, USA.

‘OBG-16252’ has not been observed under all environmental conditions. Certain characteristics of this variety may change with changing environmental conditions such as photoperiod, temperature, moisture, soil conditions, nutrient availability, or other factors. Thus, the phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions without any variance in genotype.

2×4 mm leaf tissue punches were pooled together into a 2 ml tube. 1 cubic zirconia bead and 100 ul PVP lysis buffer was added. The sample was ground at 1400 RPM for 1 minute, after which 250 μls of additional PVP lysis buffer was added. The sample was incubated at 60° C. for 1 hour and DNA was extracted following AutoGenepure® speed extraction protocol. Nine microsatellite markers were then assayed by PCR reaction on the extracted DNA. The PCR product was diluted into a running buffer and subject to electrophoresis. Analysis was done using GeneMarker® software.

Variety differentiation is based on the amplified peaks of individual markers, which depend on the genetic makeup of the variety (See, e.g., Boches et al. “Genetic Diversity in the Highbush Blueberry Evaluated with Microsatellite Markers”131 (5): 674-686, 2006). Each variety displays different peak patterns for each marker, creating a unique genetic “fingerprint.” The unique genetic fingerprint for ‘OBG-18064’ is: