ISHS Acta Horticulturae 484: Eucarpia Symposium on Fruit Breeding and Genetics
BREEDING APPLE CULTIVARS AT THE RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF POMOLOGY AND FLORICULTURE, SKIERNIEWICE, POLAND |
| Authors: | E. Zurawicz, S. W. Zagaja |
| Keywords: | resistance breeding, selection |
| Abstract:
The Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture at Skierniewice is one of three sites in Poland where breeding of apple cultivars is being carried out. The aim of the programme is to develop new cultivars resistant to apple scab, with low levels of susceptibility to powdery mildew, combined with high crop quality and adaptability to Polish climatic conditions. Traditional breeding methods are being applied. Valuable cultivars or clones of different origin are used as parental genotypes. At least one parent of each cross is highly resistant to the listed pathogens. Every year about 25–30 crosses are made. Young seedlings are screened for scab resistance using artificial infection of young seedlings. Only resistant plants and those showing low infestation are selected. The selected seedlings are planted in a breeding nursery. They are screened for mildew resistance in the third year of growth. Plants with low disease level are grafted on dwarf, virus-free P22 rootstocks and the trees are produced in containers under plastic. At the beginning of August, the trees are planted in the field. Three cultivars have been released: ‘Fantazja’ (‘McIntosh’ x ‘Linda’), ‘Alwa’ (‘Macoun’ open pollinated) and ‘Lodel’ (‘Lobo’ x ‘Redspur Delicious’). Six advanced clones are under trial; two are in the final stage of testing (‘Redkroft’ and ‘Ligol’). | |
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