Performance of apple cultivars in the 1999-NE-183 regional project planting: III. Fruit sensory characteristics

Authors: HAMPSON, C. - AGRIC & AG/FOOD CANADA; MCNEW, R. - UNIV OF ARKANSAS; Miller, Stephen; BERKETT, L. - UNIV OF VERMONT; CRASSWELLER, R. - PENN STATE UNIV; GARCIA, M. E. - UNIV OF VERMONT; GREENE, D. - PENN STATE UNIV; AZARENKO, A. - OREGON STATE UNIV; LINDSTROM, T. - UTAH STATE UNIV; STASIAK, M. - UNIV OF WISCONSIN; COWGILL, W. - RUTGERS UNIV; GREENE, II, G. - PENN STATE UNIV

Submitted to: Journal of the American Pomological Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/27/2007
Publication Date: 7/1/2007
Citation: Hampson, C., Mcnew, R., Miller, S.S., Berkett, L., Crassweller, R., Garcia, M., Greene, D., Azarenko, A., Lindstrom, T., Stasiak, M., Cowgill, W., Greene, Ii, G. 2007. Performance of apple cultivars in the 1999-NE-183 regional project planting: III. Fruit sensory characteristics. Journal of American Pomological Society. 61:115-126.

Interpretive Summary: The objective and systematic evaluation of apple cultivars across many planting sites in North America would provide valuable assistance to growers in selecting new cultivars to plant. In addition, consumers would be able to make informed purchasing choices if provided with fruit quality descriptions. A regional project was initiated in 1995 to evaluate apple cultivars on Malling 9 rootstock planted at 19 sites across North America. The project was expanded in 1999 with the addition of 23 apple cultivars. The present paper presents the results for fruit sensory characteristics for 23 cultivars at nine of the planting sites. The results support the need for widespread systematic evaluation of new apple cultivars to support future commercial planting. Information developed by this regional project provides a valuable resource for cultivar selection for tree fruit extension, fruit consultants and fruit growers.

Technical Abstract: The sensory qualities of a new apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) cultivar are central to its consumer acceptance. This study examined the crispness, juiciness, sweetness, acidity, flavor, attractiveness and commercial desirability of 23 new cultivars and breeding selections at nine locations across the United States. The commercial standard of comparison for the study was ‘Golden Delicious’. The fruit from four or five replicate trees per cultivar were rated on 5-point scales within seven days of harvest at each site for four consecutive years. All sensory aspects of the cultivars were differentially affected by the influence of growing location, but some broad trends were observed. Selections that scored high for crispness at a majority of sites were CQR10T17, ‘Co-op 39’ (Crimson Crisp), ‘Silken’, ‘Ambrosia’, ‘Co-op 29’ (Sundance), CQR12T50 and NY 65707-19. All selections were rated acceptable or higher for juiciness at most locations. ‘Ambrosia’, BC 8S-26-50 and ‘Golden Delicious’ were considered high in sweetness at most locations, and ‘Cripp’s Pink’ (Pink Lady), NJ 109 and all the scab-resistant clones were significantly less sweet than ‘Golden Delicious’ at most locations. ‘Fuji’ (September Wonder), ‘Ambrosia’, BC 8S-26-50 and ‘Runkel’ tended to be low in acidity, and ‘Cripp’s Pink’, ‘Delblush’ (Tentation), ‘Pinova’, ‘Co-op 29’, ‘Co-op 39’, CQR12T50 and CQR10T17 were high in acidity. Flavor ratings were highly inconsistent across locations, but ‘Ambrosia’ and ‘Minnewashta’ (Zestar!) were liked and CQR10T17 was disliked at a majority of sites. The most consistently attractive selections were ‘Ambrosia’, NY 79507-72, ‘Cripp’s Pink’ and ‘Pinova’, and the least attractive were ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Co-op 29’ and BC 8S-26-50, probably due to skin russet. For most cultivars, desirability varied from location to location, but ‘Ambrosia’, ‘Pinova’ and CQR12T50 were rated highly at all reporting locations. The results reinforce the importance of widespread systematic testing of new apple cultivars.