'CENTRA BLUE': NEW RABBITEYE BLUEBERRY CULTIVAR

‘Centra Blue’, a cross between ‘Centurion’ and ‘Rahi’, is a new rabbiteye cultivar (Vaccinium ashei J. M Reade syn. = V. virgatum Aiton) developed by The Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Limited (HortResearch). Plants of ‘Centra Blue’ have semi upright growth habit. The fruit are oblong to round and large (average 2.4 g) compared with typical rabbiteye blueberry cultivars. The fruit are firm with a small pedicel scar and an attractive bloom. Phytochemical concentrations in the fruit, especially anthocyanins, are high. The flavor is balanced and the fruit have little of the grittiness frequently associated with rabbiteye blueberries. ‘Centra Blue’ has a late fruiting season over a long duration. Under New Zealand conditions, fruiting occurs between February and March, after ‘Maru’, ‘Centurion’, ‘Powderblue’ and ‘Rahi’.