Kestrel™ ‘FL02-40’

U.S. Patent PP21,719
Southern Highbush Blueberry Variety

• Fruit Size: Large
• Chill Requirement: 200 hours
• Growth Habit: Spreading growth habit
• First Harvest: Around April 5 near Gainesville, FL

Description: Kestrel™ ‘FL02-40’ is a southern highbush blueberry variety developed at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences blueberry breeding program.  Kestrel™ ‘FL02-40’ is noted for its early-ripening, high evergreen potential, and superior berry quality.

Fruit of Kestrel™ ‘FL02-40’ ripen very early, and berries remain sweet even as hues of blues emerge.  Flowers of Kestrel™ ‘FL02-40’ open around January 30, and berries ripen around April 22.  Berries of Kestrel™ ‘FL02-40’ average 2.40 grams.  The berry quality of Kestrel™ ‘FL02-40’ is excellent, as the plant produces berries that are plump, firm, and aromatic.  Kestrel™ ‘FL02-40’ produces medium loose berry clusters with very low berry detachment force.  Additionally, plants of Kestrel™ ‘FL02-40’ demonstrate prolific early leafing, and this variety has done well in tests of the evergreen production system.

• Average Berry Weight (g): 2.7
• Fruit Firmness (g/mm): 189
• Soluble Solids (%): 11.7
• Titratable acidity (%): 0.37
• SS/TA Ratio (%): 43.7

License Availability: For a list of current licensees in the USA, please click here.

License Availability: FFSP has licensed the following entities for the Kestrel™ ‘FL02-40’ cultivar outside of the USA

Licensed Territory	Licensee	Type of License
Argentina	Fall Creek Farm & Nursery, Inc.	Exclusive License
Brazil	Dole Berry Company	Exclusive License
European Union	Rusticas del Guavaquir SA	Exclusive License
Japan	Ozeki Blueberry Nurseing Co., Ltd.	Exclusive License
Mexico	Hortifrut S.A.	Exclusive License
New Zealand	Gourmet Blueberries, Ltd.	Exclusive License
Peru	Hortifrut S.A.	Exclusive License
Republic of South Africa	Fall Creek Farm & Nursery, Inc.	Exclusive License
Uruguay	Fall Creek Farm & Nursery, Inc.	Exclusive License