Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/114539
single scale. This is a misconception. Sweetness and tartness are separate traits and are controlled independently by separate genes. Any sweet/tart combination is possible. For example, Cripps Pink has high sweetness and high tartness, Fuji has high sweetness and low tartness, and Delicious has low sweetness and low tartness. Consumers generally prefer sweet apples. However, tartness (if not extreme) gives fruit much of its character and can make it tasty and flavorful. For some consumers, the high acidity of Granny Smith and even of Braeburn is a negative, perhaps because those varieties lack sufficient FIGURE 1 Quality trait comparisons ( " * , )*( +* %$ % $ $ $ %* ( %## ( " &&" +"* , () %( ) . (+ * '+ " */ *( *) (# $ )) & $ *(%# * ( $ -*%$) ( )&$ )) * )* $ $ +$ *) */ # # " )%"+ " )%" ) (+ * * (+ * $ !+ $ )) )+ ! * , *% ) " * ( , ( ) %, ( * ( ) )%$) $ (+ * - ( %"" * (%# ) , ( " "% * %$) $ ) $ *%$ (%# #+"* &" (, )* * ) %( , ( */ $ (%# %* ( ) $ )*%( (+ * $ % $ )* ( * )* - ) +) *% ,% +$ ( $ %, ( # *+( (+ * ( ) (%& "% ) */& " %( * ) $ *%$ $ +)*(/ high Jazz CrippsPink Braeburn Firmness WA 2 WA 38 Granny Smith Gala Fuji Red Delicious Golden Delicious sugars to mask the high acidity. The blandness of low acidity is a turnoff for many consumers, but not all. WA 2 and WA 38 To illustrate the eating quality of WA 2 and WA 38, we have compared them with nine commercial cultivars (Figure 1). These three distribution diagrams show the values for six fruit quality traits: firmness, crispness, acidity, soluble solids, fruit weight, and juiciness. The objective is to show the relative differences between varieties. For example, we know that Granny Smith and Fuji are opposites in terms of flavor: Granny Smith is highly acid and not very sweet while Fuji is sweet with little acidity. The acidity/soluble solids diagram clearly shows these differences. Fruit-quality values are influenced by three important factors: fruit maturity at harvest; crop load; and type and length of cold storage. Overmature fruit is sweeter and softer than less mature fruit; fruit from trees with a heavy crop load is less sweet and smaller than fruit from trees with a light crop load; and, with an increasing length of storage period, acidity declines and fruit softens. The relative distribution of varieties in our diagrams would be the same no matter where the fruit is grown and is primarily the consequence of their genetic makeup. The genetics of fruit quality generally overrule cultural or environmental factors. Eating quality Figure 1 shows that fruit of these new varieties, whether fresh or from regular or long-term controlledatmosphere (CA) storage, is impressive in texture (high crispness and firmness) and flavor (balanced sweetness and acidity). Fruit of WA 2 is firm, and WA 38 is almost as firm. Both are firmer than Gala and Fuji, and retain their firmness in long-term storage. Fruit of WA 2 and WA 38 is very crisp and has greater crispness than Gala, Fuji, or Cripps Pink. Their crispness compares favorably with Honeycrisp, the consumer standard for crispness. It is this rare quality of being both crisp and firm out of medium and long-term storage that separates WA 2, WA 38, and Jazz from other cultivars. WA 2 is intermediate in juiciness. WA 38 is very juicy, more so than WA 2 and almost all long-storing commercial cultivars. WA 38 achieves the trifecta, the combination of firm, crisp, and juicy. Eating quality may be optimal directly off the tree or after several months of storage. Selecting the right market window is critical to assure high quality. WA 38 is outstanding at harvest and also following many months of cold storage. WA 2, on the other hand, can be starchy and less flavorful at harvest but mellows and achieves very high eating quality after two or three months of storage and is at its best from late January onward. Appearance Distinct from eating quality, but also important to consumers, are the appearance traits of fruit size, skin color, nonbrowning flesh, uniformity, finish, and defects. Some consumers buy with their eyes. WA 2 and WA 38 are both attractive. The skin of WA 2 is more than 70 percent crimson red with yellow background and conspicuous lenticels. The skin of WA 38 is more than 80 percent dark burgundy red. WA 2 fruit is medium in size and larger than Gala. WA 38 fruit is large and equal to or larger than Fuji (Figure 1). Both new cultivars have uniform fruit with a clean skin and minimal russet, sunburn, or bitter pit. These features contribute to high packout for WA 2 and WA 38. WA 38 has nonbrowning flesh, a feature not found in other commercial varieties discussed here. Consumers may try new varieties based on appearance, but for repeat purchase, the eating quality traits of texture and flavor are paramount. Individual labeling of apples offers a perfect marketing opportunity to link variety name with a message to the consumer emphasizing the high-quality attributes of these new varieties. The combination of exceptional eating quality based on pleasing texture and flavor and an attractive appearance suggest that WA 2 and WA 38 have significant commercial potential. • HoneyCrisp low low high Crispness (Digitest-Cn) high WA 38 Fruit Weight Granny Smith Red Delicious Fuji HoneyCrisp Braeburn WA 2 Golden Delicious Jazz low high ur is REX Lime Sulf se in approved for u ction and Organic Produ MRI. is certified by O Gala CrippsPink low OTICE TO N ROWERS IN APPLE G ON STATE WASHINGT Juiciness Granny Smith high CrippsPink The REX brand of Lime Sulfur, by OrCal, is the ONLY brand of Lime Sulfur that is registered for use in apple thinning in the State of Washington. Please check with your crop advisor to obtain a copy of the REX Lime Sulfur SLN (Special Local Need) Label for detailed use instructions as well as other pertinent information relating to the application of REX Lime Sulfur for thinning of Washington State apples. REX LIME SULFUR SOLUTION • EPA Reg. No. 71096-6 • EPA SLN No. WA-030008 The benefits of apple thinning with REX Lime Sulfur: Acidity Braeburn WA 38 1. Delivers a more consistent and predictable thinning of apple blossoms each and every year 2. Thinning results in larger fruit and maximum packouts 3. Excellent return bloom the next season 4. Cost effective − per gallon, per acre Jazz HoneyCrisp WA 2 Golden Delicious Gala Fuji low low Sugar (% Soluble Solids) high 541-689-4413 29454 Meadowview Rd., Junction City, OR www.goodfruit.com ® Call OrCal today or check with your local supplier for availability. Red Delicious www.orcalinc.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER March 15, 2013 45