Evaluation of New Apple Cultivars 



Duane W. Greene and Wesley R. Autio 



Department of Plant & Soil Sciences, University of Massachusetts 



In recent years, apple cultivars originating pri- 

 marily from New Zealand, Australia, or Japan have 

 gained considerable consumer acceptance in the 

 market place. Prices received for these new culti- 

 vars have exceeded those for the traditionally-grown 

 apples. This differential has led to a new awareness 

 and a hei^tened interest in planting new apple 

 cultivars. Many new apples are under test but there 

 is a dilemma about which of these to plant. The 

 decisions are made somewhat easier now since there 

 are a number of good and legitimate choices avail- 

 able to growers. 



About iive years ago we started planting some of 

 the most promising new cultivars and numbered 

 selections. Scion wood was obtained for propagating 

 trees from several countries and from various breed- 

 ing programs. During the 1992 season many of these 

 cultivars fruited. This report presents evaluations 

 of some of these new cultivars. 



Fruit evaluation started the first week in August 

 and continued weekly through the third week in 

 October. Where sufficient fruit were available, mul- 

 tiple harvests were made. Fruit on each harvest date 

 were evaluated in two ways. First, fruit were 

 weighed, counted, the diameter measured, and then 

 red color was estimated to the nearest 10% on red 

 coloring cultivars or on those yellow cultivars that 

 had a prominent red cheek. Flesh firmness and 

 soluble solids were measured. Fruit then were 

 evaluated visually and sensory characteristics were 

 judged on a specially prepared evaluation sheet 

 (Figure 1). Lines approximately 10 cm in length 

 were anchored at either end with descriptive terms. 

 In each category a line was drawn through the line 

 at a point that was judged to be appropriate for the 

 apple. For example, if the color was judged to be 

 neither dull nor bright a pencil mark was drawn half 

 way between the terms. The length of this was 

 measured from the zero point on the left and then 

 recorded in the blank. The numerical value given in 

 this instance would be 5.0. All other parameters 

 were eveiluated similarly and measured. A value of 

 6.5 is considered to be very good and a score of 7.5 or 

 greater is excellent. A summary of the taste, visual, 

 and laboratory evaluations of selected parameters 

 are presented in Tables 1 and 2. Cultivars are listed 

 in order of the harvest date at which they were 



considered best. 



A log was kept and notes were taken for each 

 cultivar at each harvest date. Below, listed by 

 alphabetical order, are summaries of observation 

 made on many of the cultivars evaluated. The star 

 rating system recommended by the Pacific North- 

 west Fruit Tester's Association was used. 



*M* 



** 



**** A cultivar tested in many areas and 

 found worthy as a good risk for commer- 

 cial recommendation. 

 A very promising cultivar but with some 

 possible limiting factors. 

 A cultivar, new or old, worthy of testing 

 for today's changing apple world. 



* A cultivar or strain that has been 

 through enough testing and/or commer- 

 cial trials to be classified as not worthy of 

 commercial recommendation. 



T An upward-pointing arrow with a star 

 indicates increasing interest 



i A downward-pointing arrow with a star 

 indicates decreasing or waning interest. 



Akane (.***) continues to be one of the apple culti- 

 vars that we favor. It is a very attractive apple and 

 few apples in its season have the flavor that Akane 

 does. It must be allowed to stay on the tree long 

 enough to mellow. It is the most aromatic apple we 

 evaluated. A m^or fault is that it is a shy bearer. 



Alkemene {**) is a yellow apple with a deep orange 

 cheek. It is somewhat russeted which detracts from 

 its overall attractiveness. It has a spicy, sprightly, 

 flowery taste. Flavor was rated quite high. A 

 problem is that it is competing with Gala, Elstar, and 

 Arlet. It may not be different enough or better 

 enough to compete successfully with these cultivars. 

 It is a disease-resistant cultivar, however, and this 

 characteristic may increase its appeal. 



Ambitious (*) has fiTiited for three years. It is a very 

 late apple with too much competition from other 

 cultivars to succeed. It ripened properly in only one 

 of the three years. Fruit size is small. It is one of the 

 ugliest apples in our plot with only fair flavor. Fruit 

 are susceptible to Pseudomonas. 



Fruit Notes, Spring, 1993 



