Comparative Study of Apple Cultivars Bred in Holovousy, Czech Republic

Abstract

In an experimental orchard, 14 apple cultivars bred in Holovousy and registered in the Czech Republic during 1994-2011 have been evaluated for 12 years in comparison with four standard ones most commonly grown here. Trees were planted on M9 rootstock in the spacing of 4 x 1 m and trained like spindles. Zuzana cv had the most vigorous trees. which was followed by Primadela and Resista. On the contrary, Selena had the smallest canopy, followed by Rubinstep, Vyso?ina and Julia. Regarding disease performance Primadela, Resista, Selena, Starkresa and Vyso?ina were entirely resistant to apple scab (Venturia inaequalis). Another three, Julia, Angold and Produkta were rated as highly tolerant to the disease. The highest levels of tolerance to powdery mildew were recorded on Meteor, Nabella and on the standard cultivar Rubin. Occurrence of fruit rot was very negligible on Starkresa, Benet, Vyso?ina and Meteor. The most productive was Rucla with a mean year harvest equal to 34.4 tons per hectare. In decreasing order, it was followed by Nabella, Resista, Produkta, Primadela, Angold and Vysocina, all of which were better than the standard ones. Regarding fruit size the largest one was Meteor followed by Jonagold, Angold, Benet and Nabella. The cultivar that was first in taste was Rucla, followed by Benet, Rubín, Rubinstep, Starkresa and Meteor.