SPTs are not useful to assess the allergenicity of apple cultivars. By using SBFC, Elise and Santana were identified as low allergenic apple cultivars in patient with OAS. Our data on the effect of storage are inconclusive.

The introduction of new apple cultivars into a worldwide full market can only be successful if all parties of the entire production-market chain cooperate closely together according to a mutually accepted strategic plan. In 2001 such a strategy was developed by Inova Fruit BV in close cooperation with Applied Plant Research (WUR-PPO) of Wageningen University and Research Centre, fruit extension specialists, and the Dutch Fruit Growers Organization. Consumer preferences were the starting point for selecting new cultivars from the hundreds of cultivars tested by WUR-PPO during the last decades. With the consumer preferences in mind, cultivar profiles were developed listing the attributes desired by nurseries, growers and sales organizations. To remain successful in the market both production and quality of the apples should be under strict control to continually meet the consumer demands. This also creates the best guarantee for good prices for the growers. To achieve these objectives the selected cultivars were introduced as 'club varieties'. This implies the use of specific brand names, controlling numbers of trees produced and planted, and organizing the sales and marketing of the apples.Initially, four apple cultivars were selected matching the preferences of different groups of consumers. These cultivars were introduced to the growers. INTRODUCTIONWorldwide many new apple cultivars become available each year from breeding programs all over the world. In the past 30 years approx. 3000 cultivars have been evaluated by the WUR-Applied Plant Research (WUR-PPO) for cultivation in NorthWest Europe. Due to global overproduction, the profitability of apple production has decreased, not only as a result of decreasing prices but also because of increasing costs for labour, fertilizers and chemicals for crop protection. To make apple production profitable again, the concept of club varieties was introduced, in order to control the amount and quality of apples produced and to adapt the production volume to the market demand.Defining the market demand requires detailed knowledge about apple consumers. What are the characteristics of apples that make consumers buy or reject apple cultivars and what makes them buy the same cultivars over and over again? Cleary, quality

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The pear cultivar 'Xenia' (synonym 'Noiabriskaia') from Moldova is a selection from a cross between 'Triomphe de Vienne' and 'Nicolai Krier'. In The Netherlands, 'Xenia' has been tested since 2001. So far, trees have given early and high yields and required little thinning. Up to now, a very low to moderate susceptibility to scab (Venturia pirinia) and a very low susceptibility to fruit tree canker (Nectria galligena) have been observed. The trees showed a medium vigour and there was a low tendency to biennial bearing. With the relatively young trees, the average fruit size of 'Xenia' fruits at full crop was 250-300 g. The harvest window was wide. Fruits of 'Xenia' had a green ground colour at harvest and were moderately bronzed. 'Xenia' had a spherical pear shape. The fruits had a strong fruit skin. The firmness was higher than that of 'Conference'. The juiciness varied from juicy to very juicy, depending on the maturity stage. 'Xenia' had a good eating quality: fresh, slightly aromatic with a typical aroma. The storability of the fruits was very good and the shelf life of 'Xenia' proved to be much better than of 'Conference'. Summarizing, the first results show a good potential for commercial fruit growing.

Krymsk ® 1 (Prunus tomentosa × Prunus cerasifera) was selected by Gennady Eremin at the Krymsk Breeding Station in Russia in 1966. Since 1994, it has been tested as a rootstock for several plum cultivars in The Netherlands. Graft compatibility was good for scion cultivars 'Avalon', 'Excalibur', 'Jubileum', 'Opal', and 'Victoria'. Growth and production efficiency of plum on Krymsk