Plant Variety Journal - IP Australia

Plant Varieties Journal Vol. 23 Number 4
Details of Application
Application Number 2001/228
Variety Name ‘Fargo’
Genus Species Betula platyphylla
Common Name Asian White Birch
Synonym
Dakota Pinnacle
Accepted Date 30 Oct 2001
Applicant
NDSU-Research Foundation, USA.
Agent
Fleming’s Nurseries Pty Ltd, Monbulk, VIC
Qualified Person Peter Todd
Details of Comparative Trial
Location
where possible the US plant data was verified under local
conditions at Monbulk, VIC.
Descriptor
Birch (Betula playtyphylla) PBR BETU
Period Apr 2010 and Jul 2010.
Conditions
plants were grown vegetatively. All trees are healthy and
growing evenly with no obvious signs of disease or streets.
Trial Design completely randomised.
Measurements
RHS Chart - edition 1986
Origin and Breeding
Seedliing selection: ‘Fargo’ was selected from an open-pollinated seedling population
of Betula platyphylla. Seeds were collected and sowed in 1986. The selection of the
tree was initially made in 1993, and released in 1997 after further test and observation.
No further cycles of selection were made. The original plant was micro-propagated
through tissue culture; therefore plants produced maintain the original genotype.
Breeder: Dr Art Boe, Dr Dale Herman, Dr Zong Ming Cheng, Dr Jeffrey Schnurr
Choice of Comparators Characteristics used for grouping varieties to identify the most similar
Variety of Common Knowledge
Organ/Plant Part Context State of Expression in Group of Varieties
Leaf attitude pendulous
Leaf shape ovate
Leaf type of incision serrate
Plant bark colour white
Most Similar Varieties of Common Knowledge identified (VCK)
Name
Comments
‘Whitespire’
Betula platyphylla var japonica
Variety Description and Distinctness - Characteristics which distinguish the candidate from one or
more of the comparators are marked with a tick.
Organ/Plant Part: Context ‘Fargo’ ‘Whitespire’
Plant: type tree tree
Plant: growth habit narrow erect conical
Plant: size
medium to large medium
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