Progress 10/01/99 to 09/30/05
Outputs
Cultivar plantings were established in 1999 at both the Fruit Research and Extension Center (FREC) and at the Russell E Larson Research Center (RELRC). Unfortunately, a severe weather event destroyed the planting at FREC. The entire planting was blown over and lost. Results reported here are based solely on the planting at RELRC. The smallest tree as measured by trunk cross-sectional area (TCA) was NY65707-19. The largest trees were Pink Lady, Delblush and CQR10T17. The latter three were 29%, 25% and 23% larger,respectfully, than Golden Delicious. Tree height and spread were measured at the end of 2004. NY65706-19 had the lowest height and spread. Chinook had the greatest height, while CQR10T17 had the greatest spread. Several cultivars had H:S ratios under 1.0, indicating they were wider than tall. NJ 109 had the largest H:S ratio, indicating it is a naturally tall slim canopy. Bloom was rated on a 1 to 5 scale with 5 being snowball bloom. Golden Delicious had the
lowest bloom rating (1.9), while Corail (Pinata) had the highest (4.9). The average number of fruit per tree and yield per tree was least on NJ109 (45/tree and 7.68 kg). Chinook had the greatest number of fruit (249) and Snapp Stayman and September Wonder Fuji had the highest average tree yield (49.67 and 49.66, respectively). Silken and Chinook had the smallest average fruit size (151 and 154 grams, respectively). Runkel produced the largest fruit at 285 grams. NJ109 and Crimson Crisp were the least efficient trees based on yield per TCA and NY65707-19 the most efficient. Crop load (#fruit/TCA) was lowest on NJ109 and highest on Chinook. NY75907 and Zestar! were the earliest blooming cultivars (May 2) and Runkel was the latest (5/7). Cumulative yield from 1999 through 2004, number of fruit and efficiency was lowest for NJ109. Golden Delicious had the greatest cumulative yield, Chinook had the greatest number of fruit and NY65707-19 the greatest cumulative efficiency. After 5 years of
evaluation the following cultivars are recommended for commercial trial: Ambrosia, September Wonder Fuji, Hampshire, Snapp Stayman, and Crimson Crisp. Cultivars that are unacceptable include CQR10T17, Runkel, BC8S2650 and Chinook.
Impacts
Several cultivars in this planting will prove useful to the Pennsylvania fruit industry. The apple scab resistant cultivars of Crimson Crisp and Sundance may provide good selections for organic production for the processing market. Unfortunately two cultivars, Ambrosia and Pinata, have been identified as "club varieties" which means their distribution will be restricted. This new trend has serious implications for further work in studying fruit cultivars. This restriction along with a recent reinterpretation of the plant patent laws place a severe negative impact upon the ability of scientists to provide useful knowledge to the general public.
Publications
- Miller, S., Hampson, C., McNew, R., Berkett, L., Brown, S., Clements, J., Crassweller, R., Garcia, E., Greene, D. and Greene, G. 2005. Performance of apple cultivars in the 1995 NE-183 regional project planting: III. Fruit sensory characteristics. Journal of the American Pomological Society 59:28-43.
- Crassweller, R., McNew, R., Azarenko, A., Barritt, B., Belding, R., Berkett, L., Brown, S., Clements, J., Cline, J., Cowgill, W., Ferree, D., Garcia, E., Greene, D., Greene, G., Hampson, C., Merwin, I., Miller, D., Miller, S. Moran, R., Obermiller, J., Rosenberger, D., Rom, C., Roper, T., Schupp, J. and Stover, E. 2005. Performance of apple cultivars in the 1995 NE-183 regional project planting: I. Growth and yield characteristics. Journal of the American Pomological Society 59:18-27.
- Miller, S. S., McNew, R. W., Barritt, B. H., Berkett, L., Brown, S. K., Cline, J. A., Clements, J. M., Cowgill, W., Crassweller, R. M., Garcia, M. E., Greene, D. W., Greene, G. M., Hampson, C. R., Merwin, I., Miller, D. D., Moran, R. E., Rom, C. R., Roper, T. R., Schupp, J. R. and Stover, E. 2005. Effect of cultivar and site on fruit quality as demonstrated by the NE-183 regional project on apple cultivars. HortTechnology 15(4):886-895.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
Cultivar plantings were established in 1999 at both the Fruit Research and Extension Center (FREC) and at the Russell E Larson Research Center (RELRC) were maintained according to protocol. At the end of the 2003 growing season the largest trees in the planting were Pink Lady with a TCSA of 45.5 sq. cm followed by CQR10T17 at 43.7 sq. cm. The smallest trees continue to be NY65707-19 (13.2 sq. cm.). Bloom was rated on a 0 to 5 scale in 2003 rather than counting flower clusters on individual trees. September Wonder Fuji had the lowest bloom rating (1.4); while Corail had the highest (4.6). Date of full bloom varied from the earliest for NY 75907-49 on May 5 to the latest for Coop 39, CQR10T17, NJ109 and Golden Delicious on May 8. At harvest, Golden Delicious had the greatest mean number of fruit per tree (273) and fruit yield per tree (47.7 kg). NY 75907-72 had the fewest fruit per tree (27) and the lowest average tree yield (5.31 kg). Fruit from Chinook was the
smallest at an average of only 110 grams, and does not appear to be commercially viable for production in Pennsylvania. (Although preliminary observations for the 2004 harvest suggest that fruit size has improved slightly.) Large fruit cultivars were CQR10T17 (254 g), Runkel (255 g), and Snapp Stayman (260 g.). Tree efficiency was best on Chinook (1.1kg/sq. cm.) and worst on NJ109 (0.18 kg/sq. cm.). Chinook had the heaviest crop load (10.0). There were several cultivars with similar low crop loads. Fruit length was greatest on CQR10T17 and diameter on NY75907-49. Chinook had the smallest length and diameter. Cripps Pink and Delblush had the greatest L/D ratio. BC8S-26-50 had the highest soluble solids content but not significantly greater than Delblush. September Wonder Fuji had the highest starch index value indicating that we probably needed to harvest the fruit sooner. At harvest Zestar was the least firm fruit while Chinook was the firmest. Ambrosia had the highest score for
flavor and Runkel the lowest. Overall desirability was greatest for Ambrosia and least for Crimson Crisp. At the end of 2003 the largest trees were CQR10T17 and the smallest were NY65706-19 at FREC site. Yield in 2003 was greatest on Golden Delicious and least on BC 8S-26-50. There were no consistent differences in number of dropped fruit in 2003.
Impacts
The cultivar picture is undergoing some change. The number one most planted apple cultivar remains Delicious at 18.8% of all the trees in the state; which is down nearly 5%. The second most planted cultivar was Golden Delicious at 16.5% and up about 0.4%. York Imperial at 14.3% was the third most planted cultivar but was down nearly 1.0%. The cultivars that increased the most? As to be expected Gala, up 4%; Jonagold and Honeycrisp, both up 1.1%. Interestingly Honeycrisp did not even make the survey in 1997. Looking closer at the age of trees by cultivar however, does show some potential problems. Within the next few years we may see an overproduction of Gala and Honeycrisp. Slightly over 60% of the Gala trees planted in the state are 6 years old or younger. Even more striking is that 92.6% of the Honeycrisp trees fall into the same age category. It appears in the last three year period tree replacement rate averaged about 2.6% compared to 5.7% the previous three years
across the state for all apple cultivars. Many people feel tree replacement needs to be around 5%. The question is whether this lower replacement rate is due to harder economic times and the gradual decline in the number of orchards in the state. Or does it mean a shift away from the more traditional processing industry to the fresh market industry.
Publications
- Greene, D., Azarenko, A., Barritt, B., Belding, B., Berkett, L., Cline, J., Cowgill, W., Crassweller, R., Ferree, D., Garcia, E., Greene, G., Hampson, C., Merwin, I., Moran, R., Roper, T., Schupp, J. and Stover, E. 2004. Multidisciplinary evaluation of new apple cultivars: The NE-183 regional project. J. Amer. Pom. Soc. 58:61-64.
- Miller, S., McNew, R., Belding, R., Berkett, L., Brown, S., Clements, J., Cline, J., Cowgill, W., Crassweller, R., Ferree, D., Garcia, E., Greene, D., Greene, G., Hampson, C., Merwin, I., Moran, R., Roper, T., Schupp, J. and Stover, E. 2004. Performance of apple cultivars in the 1995 NE-183 regional project planting: II Fruit quality characteristics. J. Amer. Pom. Soc. 58:65-77.
- Hampson, C. , McNew, R., Belding, R., Berkett, L., Brown, S., Clements, J., Cline, J., Cowgill, W., Crassweller, R., Ferree, D., Garcia, E., Greene, D., Greene, G., Hampson, C., Merwin, I., Moran, R., Roper, T., Schupp, J. and Stover, E. 2004. Performance of Braeburn, Golden Delicious and Yataka Fuji apple on Mark and M.9 rootstocks at multiple locations across north America. J. Amer. Pom. Soc. 58:78-89.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Cultivar plantings established in 1999 at both the Fruit Research and Extension Center (FREC) and at the Russell E Larson Research Center (RELRC) were maintained according to protocol. At the end of the 2002 growing season the largest trees with the greatest growth in the planting were CQR10T17 with a TCSA of 28.5 sq. cm followed by Cripp's Pink at 27.5 sq. cm. The smallest trees remained NY65707-19 (10.5 sq. cm). Snapp Stayman had the greatest mean number of flower clusters per tree (467), while Zestar! had the highest flower density (31.7/sq. cm of TCSA). NY65707-19 had the lowest number of flowers per tree (30). Two severe frosts occurred on the nights of May 20 and May 21 which effectively removed most of the fruit and prevented data gathering on percent fruit set. Date of full bloom varied from the earliest for Zestar!, Silken and Hampshire on April 30 to the latest for Runkel and Crimson Crisp on May 6. Bloom on the early cultivars was 6 days ahead of the
previous year and for the later cultivars it was only 3 days earlier. Zestar! was the earliest ripening cultivar and Cripp's Pink the latest. Although two frost events eliminated the majority of the crop some cultivars had fruit. The best yielding cultivar was Hampshire and the poorest yielding cultivar was Snapp Stayman. The greatest number of fruit were on Chinook but size was very small as it was in 2001(92 g). Runkel again had the largest fruit (229 g). Yield efficiency was greatest on Hampshire. Crop load was greatest on Chinook. At the FREC site there was only a four day difference in full bloom between the earliest and latest blooming cultivar. Hampshire was the earliest to bloom and NJ 109 the latest to bloom. Bloom density was rated as best on Cripp's Pink and NJ 109 and lightest on Sundance. Runkel had the greatest yield primarily due to large fruit size. NJ 109 had the lightest crop. At the end of the 2002 growing season the smallest trees were NY 65707-19. The largest
trees were Corail/M.26. Of the trees on M.9 the largest were CQR10T17. Observations of insect preference showed differences in the size of WALH populations were found among the various cultivars with Coop 29 having no leafhoppers and Silken showing the highest population of leafhoppers. Spirea aphid populations also varied greatly across the cultivars with NY 65707-19 and Corail showing the lowest aphid populations and BC 85-26-50 having the highest density of aphids. There were many statistical differences among the cultivars for populations of STLM for both sampling dates during the season. Cultivars with notable low STLM populations during the last count (31 Jul) include Coop 29 and NY 65707-19. The cultivar NY428 had the highest population of STLM, almost six times higher than Coop 29.
Impacts
The cultivar picture is undergoing some change. The number one most planted apple cultivar remains Delicious at 18.8% of all the trees in the state; which is down nearly 5%. The second most planted cultivar was Golden Delicious at 16.5% and up about 0.4%. York Imperial at 14.3% was the third most planted cultivar but was down nearly 1.0%. The cultivars that increased the most? As to be expected Gala, up 4%; Jonagold and Honeycrisp, both up 1.1%. Interestingly Honeycrisp did not even make the survey in 1997. Looking closer at the age of trees by cultivar however, does show some potential problems. Within the next few years we may see an overproduction of Gala and Honeycrisp. Slightly over 60% of the Gala trees planted in the state are 6 years old or younger. Even more striking is that 92.6% of the Honeycrisp trees fall into the same age category. It appears in the last three year period tree replacement rate averaged about 2.6% compared to 5.7% the previous three years
across the state for all apple cultivars. Many people feel tree replacement needs to be around 5%. The question is whether this lower replacement rate is due to harder economic times and the gradual decline in the number of orchards in the state. Or does it mean a shift away from the more traditional processing industry to the fresh market industry.
Publications
- Crassweller, R. M. and Smith, D.E. 2003. Apple cultivar sensitivity to azoxystrobin fungicide. J. Amer. Pomological Society. 57:166-168.
- Crassweller, R. M. 2003. Honeycrisp - Salvation or Problem Child. NJ Horticultural News 63(2): 26-28, 30-31.
- Crassweller, R. M. and Smith, D.E. 2003. Apple training system trials - 2002. PA Fruit News 83(2):40-44.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
Cultivar plantings established in 1995 and 1999 at both the Fruit Research and Extension Center (FREC) and at the Russell E Larson Research Center (RELRC) were maintained according to protocol. Honeycrisp trees are the smallest at RELRC while Sansa were the smallest at FREC. At both sites Arlet was one of the larger trees. Fruit at RELRC was graded by diameter and all fruit from Fortune graded out larger than 3.25 inches. Enterprise and Shizuka had in excess of eighty percent of their fruit to grade out above 3.25 inches in diameter. In the 1995 planting tree size as measured by trunk cross sectional area (TCSA in sq. cm) was consistently larger at RELRC than at FREC. While, yield efficiency as measured by kg of fruit/TCSA was consistently lower at RELRC than at FREC. In the 1999 planting, At the end of the 2001 growing season the largest trees at RELRC were 'Pink Lady' with a TCSA of 18.2 cm2 followed by CQR10T17 at 16.9 cm2. The smallest trees were NY65707-19 (7.0
cm2 ) and NY75907-72 (9.1 cm2). Golden Delicious had the greatest mean number of flower clusters per tree ( 354), while NY75907-49 had the highest flower density (42/cm2 of TCSA). Golden Delicious had the highest yield (13.71 kg). Zestar had the shortest days to harvest (109 days) and Pink Lady the longest (183 days). Fruit from Chinook was the smallest at an average of only 120 grams, and do not appear to be commercially viable for production in Pennsylvania. Large fruit cultivars were NY75907-49 (287 g), Runkel (270 g) and Hampshire (246 g).At FREC the largest trees were CQR10T17 (10.3 cm2) while NY65707 were the smallest trees. The most yield efficient cultivar was Hampshire with a value of 0.60 kg/cm2 followed by 'Golden Delicious' at 0.54, 'Autumn Gold' at 0.45 and 'Chinook' at 0.44. The least efficient producer was Coop 29 with a value of 0.03 followed by NY 79507-72 at 0.05 and BC 8S-26-50 at 0.08. Fruit from 'Chinook' was the smallest at an average of only 120 grams, and do
not appear to be commercially viable for production in Pennsylvania. Large fruit cultivars were NY75907-49 (287 g), Runkel (270 g) and Hampshire (246 g).
Impacts
A variety showcase and tasting was held at the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Conference on January 30, 2001 at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center. Growers from PA, NJ, MD, VA, WV and DE attended the meeting. At a Fruit Grower Field day at the Fruit Research and Extension Center in Biglerville on July 11, 2002 approximately 40 growers in two separate groups toured the 1995 and 1999 plantings. The tour was part of a larger field day being held at the research station. The grower were allowed to choose the topics they wished to view and the NE-183 plantings had the most growers requesting to visit and discuss these plantings.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
Cultivar plantings established in 1995 and 1999 at both the Fruit Research and Extension Center (FREC) and at the Russell E Larson Research Center (RELRC) were maintained according to protocol in 2001. Flowering and fruit set were light in 2000 after a record crop in 1999. Several cultivars had no bloom and only Enterprise and NY75414-1 had sufficient flowers for what might be considered a full crop at RELRC. Braeburn, (both rootstocks), Creston, Golden Supreme, GoldRush, Fuji, Fortune, and Yataka (both rootstocks) had no yields. Full bloom ran from May 2 to May 5 at RELRC, a relatively short period. At FREC bloom ranged from April 15 to April 27. At the end of the 2000 growing season Enterprise were the largest trees as measured by TCSA. Honeycrisp and Braeburn/M.9 were the smallest. Arlet and Pristine had the greatest increase in trunk cross sectional area. Ginger Gold and Pristine had the greatest spread and Orin the least. Sansa and Braeburn on both rootstocks
were the shortest trees and Enterprise the tallest. Fruit yield per tree was greatest for Enterprise. Fruit size as determined by dividing the harvested yield by the number of fruit was smallest for NY75414-1 and greatest for Yataka/Mark. Enterprise and NY75414-1 had the highest efficiency. Crop density was greatest on NY75414-1. At FREC Sansa/M.9 produced the smallest trees based on trunk cross-sectional area. The most vigorous trees in the experiment included Cameo, E. Spitzenburg, and Arlet. Tree height varied somewhat by tree vigor with some of the shortest trees being produced by Sansa, Braeburn/Mark, Honeycrisp, and Braeburn/M.9. Some of the tallest trees were 3.2 meters or taller and these included Suncrisp, Cameo, E. Spitzenburg, and Arlet. Tree width was measured in 2000 at FREC and narrow trees were produced by Sansa, Braeburn/M.9, Honeycrisp, and Braeburn/Mark. Wide trees resulted from Cameo, Ginger Gold, Fortune, and E. Spitzenburg. In the 1999 planting, the largest trees
were Golden Delicious at RELRC and CQR10T17 at FREC. Overall flowering was considerably greater at RELRC than at FREC site in 2000. Pinova (Corail) and Pink Lady had the greatest number of flowers at RELRC while Pink Lady had the greatest at FREC. BC 8S-26-50 did not flower at either site. Percent fruit set at RELRC was highest on Pinova (Corail). Changes in the starch index were followed at FREC in 2000 on trees that had fruit. Based upon a target range of 4.0 to 6.0 on a 1 to 8 scale the harvest was estimated for each of the cultivars. September 26 would have been optimal for Ambrosia, Autumn Gold and Hampshire. September 20 would have been optimal for Scarlet O'Hara and Runkel. September 14 would have been optimal for NJ 109 and NJ 90. Sampling of leaf-feeding arthropods was conducted on each tree. The following insects were monitored: white apple leafhopper (WALH), Typhlocyba pomaria, European red mite (ERM), Panonychus ulmi, and spotted tentiform leafminer (STLM), Phyllonorycter
blancardella. Differences were found for certain species by cultivar.
Impacts
Differences in cultivar performance has been observed at the two sites, however, the relative difference in tree size is similar. The major difference has been in fruit quality. Cultivars such as NY-75414-1 and Honeycrisp have not colored as well at FREC as they have at RELRC. GoldRush has been found to require a longer growing season than normally occurs in central Pennsylvania These coloring and quality differences have lead to the creation of site specific recommendations for commercial fruit growers. Differences in natural insect populations and disease susceptibility may lead to a reduction in the use of certain pesticides. From the 1999 planting we are learning approximate ripening season for new cultivars. September Wonder Fuji (formerly known as Jubilee Fuji) holds great promise for fruit growers in northern areas of Pennsylvania that did not have a long enough growing season for later maturing Fuji strains.
Publications
- Crassweller, R. M. 2001. Apple cultivar development - NE-183 and Beyond. PA Fruit News 81(4):24-27.
- Greene II, G.M. 2001. New York 428 - An apple with potential in warm climates. HortScience 36(4):639.
- Greene II, G.M. 2001. Proximity to pollen source influences cropping in poor pollinating conditions. HortScience 36(4):641-642.
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
Cultivar plantings established in 1995 and 1999 at both the Fruit Research and Extension Center (FREC) and at the Russell E Larson Research Center (RELRC) were maintained according to protocol in 2000. In the 1995 planting 1999 yield was greatest on Enterprise and Goldrush trees (RELRC). Fortune had the greatest average yield per tree in 1999 and the highest average fruit weight and efficiency. Sansa had the lowest yield and was among the least efficient producing trees. Pristine had the lowest average fruit weight. Shizuka and Enterprise had the lowest crop load and Goldrush the highest in 1999. At FREC based on trunk cross-sectional area and sometimes tree height and width some of the smallest trees have been produced by Braeburn/M.9, Honeycrisp, NY 75414-1, and Sansa. Arlet, Cameo, Enterprise, Fuji and Spitzenburg have produced large trees. Fruit quality and sensory/organoleptic evaluations were conducted on fruit from both locations as specified in the protocol.
At RELRC GoldRush had the greatest L/D ratio and NY 75414-1 and Gala Supreme the least. At harvest Gala Supreme and Enterprise had the highest %SSC, while Pristine had the lowest. At FREC some of the firmest fruits were obtained from Braeburn on Mark and M.9, GoldRush and on Spitzenburg while softer fruits were picked from Yataka/M.9, Fuji, Red Sport, Pristine and Sunrise. Russeting was objectionable on Arlet, Gala Supreme and Spitzenburg. A comprehensive web page with digital images of cultivars in the 1995 planting was posted on the Penn State Tree Fruit Production Guide web site. A block of 25 cultivars was evaluated during 2000 for the incidence of various arthropods under a reduced IPM-type insecticide program. Populations of the spirea aphid varied greatly across the treatments with cultivars such as Golden Delicious/Mark, Yataka/Mark, Honeycrisp, and Shizuka showing no signs of aphid infestation; whereas, other cultivars such as Cameo, Fortune and Pristine maintained very high
populations of aphids.
Impacts
Differences in cultivar performance have been observed between the two sites. Arlet has not performed well and is no longer being recommended to PA growers. Discoloration of leaves on Honeycrisp has been noted and commercial fruit growers are being cautioned. Differences in natural insect populations and disease susceptibility may lead to a reduction in the use of certain pesticides
Publications
- Crassweller, R. M. 2000. Apples. in Pennsylvania Tree Fruit Production Guide 2000-01 J.W. Travis (coordinator) pp. 14-20. The Pennsylvania State University.
- Crassweller, R.M. and Greene II, G.M. 2000. Horticulture section. In: G. Krawczyk (ed.). Fruit Times Vol. 17 1-15. Penn State Univ., Coll. of Ag. Sci., Univ. Park.
- Crassweller, R.M., Greene II, G.M. and Smith, D.E. 2000. Establishment of national apple variety trial plantings - 1999. Penn Fruit News 80(3): 38-41.
- Greene II, G.M. and Miller, S.S. 2000. Impact of fruit bud variables on the return bloom and productivity efficiency of York Imperial apples. Penn Fruit News 80(2): 37-38.
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
Nothing to report at this time.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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