Orchard performance and fruit quality of 50 apple cultivars grown or tested in commercial orchards of the Czech Republic

Abstract

Tree vigour, occurrence of mildew and scab, yields, yield efficiency, fruit weight, flesh firmness and soluble solids content of apple trees on M 9 rootstock were monitored between 1998-2005 in 42 commercial orchards situated in all the major growing regions of the Czech Republic. Altogether 50 cultivars were included into the evaluation. The characteristics of newly bred or newly introduced cultivars were compared to the cultivars of standard assortment such as Gloster, Golden Delicious, Idared, Jonagold, Melrose, Rubín and Šampion. The group of late ripening cultivars imported from France (Baujade, Early Smith, Granny Smith and Red Winter) proved to be unsuitable for climatic conditions of the Czech Republic. Cultivars of the Rubín group (Bohemia, Gold Bohemia) showed a better quality of fruits than the cultivars of the Jonagold group, but were significantly inferior regarding yields and yield efficiency. The cultivars Rucla, Pinova and Rubinstep seemed to be potential competitors of Jonagold or Rubín; their fruit quality is similar to Rubín, and their yield efficiency is comparable to that of Jonagold. Topaz, which is resistant to scab and has recently spread in the Czech Republic, is specific for its early yield and a very good productivity observed in a majority of the orchards. In addition, characteristics of other evaluated cultivars and their potential prospects for growing in the Czech Republic are briefly discussed.

The effect of zeolite, organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil chemical properties, growth and biomass yield of apple trees

“…Similar findings were reported by Kosina (2002) for Golden Delicious, Melrose and Gloster cultivars. Blažek and Hlušičková (2007) showed that the TCSA value increased with tree age, Idared cv. being lower than Melrose cv.…”

“…Our research is in accordance with Torii's results showing higher yield in the B 3 and B 4 treatments with Agrozel than in the B 1 and B 2 treatments without Agrozel. Blažek and Hlušičková (2007) reported that Melrose cv. grafted on M.9 rootstock gave a higher yield as compared to Idared cv.…”

Relationship between tree nutritional status and apple quality

“…Nutrient content in apple leaves is a feature of a specific cultivar; it is influenced, within certain limits, by the rootstocks (Ponchia et al 1997), by soil and climatic conditions (Wehunt, Purvis 1954;Blažek, Hlušičková 2007), by the phase of vegetation (Sadowski et al 1995;Weinbaum et al 2001;Holb et al 2009), and particularly by the orchard management practices, i.e. irrigation and fertilization (Hipps 1997;Nagy, Holb 2006).…”

Estimation of Postharvest Quality of “Red Delicious” Apple Fruits Based on Fruit Nutrient Elements Composition

“…Nutrient content in apple leaves is a feature of a specific cultivar; it is influenced, within certain limits, by the rootstocks, by soil and climatic conditions (Blazek & Hlusickova, 2007), by the phase of vegetation (Holb et al, 2009), and particularly by the orchard management practices, i.e. irrigation and fertilization (Nagy & Holb, 2006;Jivan & Sal, 2014).…”