Performance of apple cultivars in the 1999 NE-183 regional project planting. II. Fruit quality characteristics

The fruit quality performance of 23 apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) cultivars and numbered selections on Malling 9 (M.9 T337) rootstock was evaluated over four growing seasons at 12 locations across North America as part of the NE-183 Regional Project, "Multidisciplinary Evaluation of New Apple Cultivars." At each site, trees were planted in 1999 in five randomized blocks with single-tree plots. 'Golden Delicious' served as the standard cultivar for comparison. 'Minnewashta' (Zestar!®) was the earliest maturing cultivar being harvested an average of 43 days before 'Golden Delicious'. 'Cripp's Pink' was the latest cultivar to mature and was harvested an average of 29 days after 'Golden Delicious'. The selection NY 79507-49 had the largest diameter fruit at 8.6 cm followed closely by 'Runkel', 'Hampshire' and 'Co-op 29' ('Sundance™'). The British Columbia planting location produced the largest fruit averaged across all cultivars. The highest length/diameter (L:D) ratio was recorded for 'Delblush' ('Tentation™'). CQR10T17 had the firmest flesh at 10 of 11 reporting locations, but its average firmness of 11.1 kg at harvest would make it too firm for immediate fresh consumption. Average fruit soluble solids concentration (SSC) across all cultivars and locations was 14.5% indicating most cultivars in this test had excellent sugar levels. BC-8S-26-50 had the highest average SSC at 17.0% followed closely by 'Delblush' and then 'Golden Delicious'. Utah recorded the highest mean SSC at 16.5 %. Cultivar mean surface color ratings for NJ 90, 'Chinook' and 'Co-op 39' ('Crimson Crisp™') were 88% to 90% surface red color. Skin russet generally affected about 10% to 15% of the surface of BC-8S-26-50, 'Golden Delicious', and 'Co-op 29' ('Sundance™'). Results support the need for widespread testing of new apple cultivars.