ARS | Publication request: Notice to nurserymen of the naming and release for propagation of ‘Gupton’, a new southern highbush blueberry cultivar

Submitted to: Germplasm Release
Publication Type: Germplasm Release
Publication Acceptance Date: February 18, 2005
Publication Date: February 18, 2005
Citation: Spiers, J.M., Stringer, S.J., Draper, A. 2005. Notice to nurserymen of the naming and release for propagation of gupton a new southern highbush blueberry cultivar. Germplasm Release.

Interpretive Summary: Gupton is a southern highbush blueberry released by the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, and was developed by Dr. Arlen Draper, Dr. James Spiers, and Dr. Stephen Stringer at the Small Fruit Research Station, Poplarville, MS. It is vigorous and productive and has an upright growth habit. Plants bloom in Mid-late March in South Mississippi which is generally sufficiently late to avoid spring frost injury, and fruit ripen about ten days before the earliest maturing rabbiteye blueberries. Berries of Gupton are medium to large with very good flavor, color and firmness and have small picking scars. Gupton should be interplanted with other southern highbush blueberry cultivars to facilitate pollination and to optimize fruit set, yield and quality. Gupton is recommended for trial plantings in the Coastal Plains and Gulf Coast Regions where moderate winter chilling occurs.

Technical Abstract: germplasm release