Apple Cultivars Research Articles

Influence of storage on Mal d 1 content in traditional and commercial apple varieties

Influence of storage on Mal d 1 content in traditional and commercial apple varieties

Identifying indicators of apple bud dormancy status by exposure to artificial forcing conditions.

Dormancy in temperate fruit trees is a mechanism of temporary growth suspension, which is vital for tree survival during winter. Studies on this phenomenon frequently employ scientific methods that aim to detect the timing of dormancy release. Dormancy release occurs when trees have been exposed to sufficient chill, allowing them to resume growth under conducive conditions. This study investigates dormancy dynamics in two apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) cultivars, 'Nicoter' and 'Topaz', by sampling branches in an orchard over 14weeks (2019 to 2020) and over 31weeks (2021 to 2022) and subjecting them to a 42-day budbreak forcing period in a growth chamber. Temporal changes in budbreak percentages demonstrated dormancy progression in the studied apple cultivars and allowed the three main dormancy phases to be distinguished: paradormancy (summer dormancy), endodormancy (deep dormancy) and ecodormancy (spring dormancy), along with transition periods between them. Using these data, we explored the suitability of several alternative methods to determine endodormancy release. Tabuenca's test, which predicts dormancy release based on the differences in dry weights of buds with and without forcing, showed promise for this purpose. However, our data indicated a need for considerable adjustments and validation of this test. Bud weight and water content of buds in the orchard did not align with budbreak percentages under forcing conditions, rendering them unsuitable for determining endodormancy release in 'Nicoter' and 'Topaz'. Shoot growth cessation did not seem to be connected with either dormancy progression or dormancy depth of the studied cultivars, whereas leaf fall coincided with the beginning of the transition from endo- to ecodormancy. This work addresses methodological limitations in dormancy research and suggests considering the mean time to budbreak and budbreak synchrony as additional criteria to assess tree dormancy status.

Daily and seasonal changes of sap flow in Gamhong apple cultivar and estimate the tree-level transpiration using Penman-Monteith reference evapotranspiration

Understanding the environmental drivers and hydraulic dynamics of plants is pivotal for elucidating future water use strategies and refining precise irrigation techniques. In our investigation, we focused on the daily and seasonal fluctuations in sap flow (SF) using compensation heat-pulse techniques on 7-year-old 'Gamhong' apple trees. Predictions of stand transpiration were integrated using the Penman-Monteith grass reference evapotranspiration. Additionally, we measured leaf-level diurnal and seasonal stomatal conductance (gs), leaf water potential (ΨLeaf), and transpiration rate (E) to explore the relationship between plant-level transpiration and orchard microclimate. Diurnal SF exhibited a pattern similar to global radiation (Rg) and vapor pressure deficit (VPD), increasing in the morning with a peak in the afternoon and decreasing towards evening. Seasonal water use varied, with rates of 10.62 ± 0.282 L day-1 in early (May–June), 8.40 ± 0.222 L day-1 in mid- (July–August), and 5.96 ± 0.154 L day-1 in late season (September–October). Plant water consumption was influenced by weather conditions and evaporative demand driven by atmospheric VPD and Rg. Clear and sunny days resulted in higher water use (10.23 ± 0.291 L day-1) compared to partially sunny but windy days (9.85 ± 0.32 L day-1) and cloudy/rainy days (5.37 ± 0.176 L day-1). Plant transpiration strongly correlated with VPD (R² = 0.565), Rg (R² = 0.616), relative humidity (R² = 0.623), and wind velocity (u, R² = 0.684), while no significant correlation was observed with air temperature (Ta, R² = 0.19) or soil moisture status (Ψsoil, R² = 0.19). VPD and Rg emerged as the primary drivers, with Ψsoil playing a minor role and not limiting tree-level transpiration. Leaf-level gs, ΨLeaf, and E displayed similar diurnal trends. In our study, the integrated daily sap flow provided valuable insights into plant-water relations differently across growing seasons and its relationship with reference evapotranspiration (Eo). The Penman–Monteith equation, using grass reference evapotranspiration indicated a positive correlation (R² = 0.764, P < 0.001) between actual and estimated transpiration. However, the slope of the relationship differed significantly from 1.0, suggesting that Eo per unit leaf area of grass corresponds to E288 = Eo/2.88 (L m-2 of leaf area d-1), which underestimated evapotranspiration.

Genetic diversity of apple heirloom germplasm in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as revealed by SNP markers

The cultivated apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is an economically important fruit crop in countries worldwide, including Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH).The gene bank activities in BIH were initiated in the 1930s and continued until the war in the 1990s, when much of the documentation was lost. Since then, uncoordinated efforts were made to establish apple collections in different regions, but a comprehensive analysis of genetic resources was lacking. This prompted the current study where we present the first thorough overview of the national genetic resources of BIH apples. Thus, we analyzed 165 accessions in the apple gene bank at the Institute for Genetic Resources (IGR) established at Banja Luka using the 20 K apple Infinium® single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. We combined the results with previously published data on the germplasm collections at Srebrenik and Goražde, genotyped using the Axiom® Apple 480 K SNP array. In total, 234 accessions were included in the study of which 220 were presumed to be local cultivars and 14 were known international reference cultivars. We identified numerous genotypic duplicates within and between collections and suggested preferred names to be used in the future. We found the BIH germplasm to have relatively few parent-offspring relationships, particularly among local cultivars, which might reflect the country’s history and patterns of apple cultivar introduction. A number of cultivars unique to BIH and a weakly defined genetic group were identified via STRUCTURE analysis, representing interesting targets for future research and preservation efforts.

Aroma volatiles and sensory quality of organically-grown apple cultivars after dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA) storage and comparison with CA-stored fruit with and without 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP)

Long-term storage of many apple cultivars can be especially challenging for organic production where use of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), a crop protectant that controls ripening is disallowed. For many cultivars, controlled atmosphere (CA) storage alone, is inadequate for managing disorders and ripening. Dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA), by determining the pO2 just above the lower oxygen limit (LOL), permits the use of lower pO2 setpoints without any negative impacts of anaerobiosis. Consequently, DCA can replace 1-MCP for maintenance of fruit quality. The goal of this study was to determine where this held true for a selection of old and new release organically-grown cultivars in the context of sensory perception. Cultivars included ‘Enterprise’ and ‘GoldRush’ harvested in 2018 (year 1), and ‘Honeycrisp’, ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Jonagold’, and ‘Fuji’ harvested in 2020 (year 2). The LOL was monitored for DCA using chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) and compared with conventional static CA with or without 1-MCP treatment at harvest. DCA storage suppressed ripening to a similar level as 1-MCP plus CA in both years as indicated by reduced ester biosynthesis and, for some cultivars, maintenance of flesh firmness. However, ripening suppression did not impact the overall sensory preference of ‘Enterprise’, ‘Honeycrisp’, or ‘Fuji’, as all cultivars retained firmness and tartness regardless of storage regime and even negatively impacted it for ‘Goldrush’, an especially tart and firm cultivar. Sensory liking of ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Jonagold’ which have more typical diminishing firmness and acid profiles were most benefited by either 1-MCP treatment or DCA storage. The results highlight that use of storage technologies that suppress ripening beyond conventional CA storage are best employed on cultivars with more conventional softening and acid metabolism profiles as opposed to new cultivars that were selected primarily against these ripening phenotypes. The results also demonstrate the value of sensory evaluation compared with instrumental measurements to reveal the influence of different storage regimes on human perception.

Evaluating the performance of models predicting the flowering times of twenty-six apple cultivars in England

The timing of the transition between endodormancy and ecodormancy remains uncertain. However, with advancements in phenology modelling, we can now fit models which allow for variable transitions between chilling and forcing models. Previous studies have primarily focused on single-cultivar parameterisation, and few have explored multi-cultivar comparative modelling. In this paper, we address this gap by evaluating three parameterisation approaches based on the recently developed PhenoFlex framework using a large flowering time dataset of twenty-six apple cultivars collected at the same location in England. The three parameterisation approaches were: cultivar-specific, group-specific with the groups derived using the K-means algorithm on mean bloom and variation of bloom dates, and a common model (for all twenty-six cultivars). The three PhenoFlex models fitted to each of three groups of cultivars based on their flowering time and the common model fitted to all cultivars achieved similar predictive performance, better than predictions using the average bloom date of each cultivar. The best approach to apply would depend on the amount of data present. The common model works best with large number of cultivars with small datasets (∼10 years), the mean flowering date grouped works best with medium numbers of datasets (∼20 years) and the cultivar-specific model should only be used when each cultivar has at least 30 years of data, however, it is more biased, so it is likely to predict bloom dates later than the observed bloom dates. Finally, the PhenoFlex model was shown to perform better than the StepChill model, where no overlapping is allowed between chilling and heat models. The result of this study indicates that the PhenoFlex model can be used to determine apple flowering time at the species level.

Insights into the environmental benefits of using apple pomace for biosorption of lead from contaminated water

The apple processing industry generates large quantities of organic waste, presenting a major source of organic contamination. Consequently, finding an effective solution for valorizing this waste has become a pressing issue. This study aims to address two key concerns: (i) solving an agricultural problem by efficiently using agri-food residue, and (ii) removing lead, an extremely toxic element, from contaminated waters to mitigate environmental pollution. Two biosorbents were tested: raw apple waste (RA), obtained from a mixture of apple varieties, and the same material after extracting valuable bioactive and reusable components, extracted apple (EA). The study evaluated the influence of pH, initial biosorbent mass, adsorption kinetics, and equilibrium isotherms. The results are very promising, showing a lead removal efficiency of 82 % for RA and 100 % for EA at a low initial concentration of the solution of 20 mg Pb2⁺/L and an optimal pH of 5 ± 0.5. The Langmuir model predicted a maximum adsorption capacity of 44.6 mg/g for RA and 48.6 mg/g for EA. These findings demonstrate that apple waste, even after selective extraction of valuable bioactive components, can be effectively used for environmental remediation on a practical scale.

Comparison of Volatile Organic Compounds, Quality, and Nutritional Parameters from Local Italian and International Apple Cultivars

Apple cultivars ‘Annurca’ and ‘Limoncella’ are grown locally in the Campania region of Italy and are valued for their distinctive flavour and characteristics, including a high content of nutritionally important bioactive compounds. However, apples are typically stored chilled for several months before consumption, so it is important to assess if the valuable characteristics are still present after postharvest storage. Here, we compare the quality, nutritional parameters, and aroma of these two cultivars with two widely grown international cultivars, ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Fuji’, after 60 days of storage. The aroma profiles of all four apples were analysed using thermal desorption and gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry. We show that the local cultivars are distinct from the international cultivars in their bioactive compound content and their antioxidant activity. ‘Limoncella’ shows high sugar content, which may be acting as a cryoprotectant during storage, and high total phenolics in the flesh, which is of nutritional interest. We identified 104 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and showed that the overall aroma profile is distinct for each cultivar, containing 11 published odorant compounds. The ‘Annurca’ profile is uniquely low in esters. Seven VOCs retain good discrimination across the four cultivars and, together with the quality and nutritional data, separate the two local cultivars from the international cultivars by hierarchical clustering. Overall, the data emphasize the unique characteristics of the two local cultivars and their value.

ABIOTIC STRESS GENE 1 mediates aroma volatiles accumulation by activating MdLOX1a in apple.

Fruit aroma is an important organoleptic quality, which influences consumer preference and market competitiveness. Aroma compound synthesis pathways in plants have been widely identified, among the lipoxygenase pathway is crucial for fatty acid catabolism to form esters in apple. However, the regulatory mechanism of this pathway remains elusive. In this study, linear regression analysis and transgene verification revealed that the lipoxygenase MdLOX1a is involved in ester biosynthesis. Yeast one-hybrid library screening indicated that a protein, MdASG1 (ABIOTIC STRESS GENE 1), was a positive regulator of MdLOX1a and ester production based on yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase assays, as well as correlation analysis among eight different apple cultivars. Overexpression of MdASG1 in apple and tomato stimulated the lipoxygenase pathway and increased the fatty acid-derived volatile content, whereas the latter was decreased by MdASG1 silencing and CRISPR/Cas9 knockout. Furthermore, MdASG1 overexpression enhanced the salt-stress tolerance of tomato and apple 'Orin' calli accompanied by a higher content of fatty acid-derived volatiles compared to that of non-stressed transgenic tomato fruit, while MdASG1-Cas9 knockdown calli do not respond to salt stress and promote the biosynthesis of fatty acid-derived volatiles. Collectively, these findings indicate that MdASG1 activates MdLOX1a expression and participates in the lipoxygenase pathway, subsequently increasing the accumulation of aroma compounds, especially under moderate salt stress treatment. The results also provide insight into the theory for improving fruit aroma quality in adversity.

The impact of 1-methylcyclopropene post-harvest treatment on the storability of the Ckifske zoloto and Dmiana apple varieties

As a result of the conducted research, it was established that the post-harvest treatment of apple fruits with Oberigpro, the active substance of which is 1-methylcyclopropene, helps to extend the duration of their storage in the conditions of an ordinary cooled atmosphere. In addition, the processed fruits had a 14-day post-storage shelf life during which they did not lose their quality, which allows producers to extend the duration of the sales period. The fruits of the varieties treated with 1-methylcyclopropene were harder than the control ones when removed from storage. After 60 days of storage, control apples had 21.8 N less pulp hardness than treated apples. During the 14 days of the shelf life, during which the apples were at a temperature of + 19 ºC, the hardness of their pulp in the version with treatment did not significantly decrease, unlike the version where 1-methylcyclopropene treatment was not applied. During the first month of storage, an increase in the content of soluble solids (TSS) was observed in the fruits of the Dmiana variety from the variant where post-harvest processing was carried out. Control fruits on the 150th day of storage contained 0.20% titratable acids, which is 0.10% less than those treated with 1-methylcyclopropene. On the 7th day of the expiration date, the acidity of Dmiana was 0.17 in the control and 0.25% in the fruits from the experimental variant, which is 0.20 and 0.28% less than that during storage, respectively. During the shelf life, fruit weight loss in both versions of the research increased, and on the 14th day, in the version treated with 1-methylcyclopropene, the Skifske Zoloto variety was 0.76% less, and the Dmiana variety was 1.59% less than in options without processing. With the growth of mass loss, the damage of the fruit withering increased, which negatively affected their appearance. On the 14th day of the post-harvest shelf life, Dmiana apples from the variant where 1-methylcyclopropene was not used were covered with an oily coating, and Skifske Zoloto 100% were affected by tan.

Transportation Vibration Effects on Apple Bruising

ABSTRACTVibrations during transportation often cause mechanical damage to fresh produce. Addressing or mitigating this damage requires efficient packaging solutions that maintain fresh produce integrity during transit, thereby preserving produce quality and market value. This study investigates the effects of various transportation profiles and packaging designs on apple bruising using simulated truck vibrations. Two apple varieties, Fuji and Jonagold, were packaged in corrugated paperboard boxes with paper pulp trays, plastic crates with paper pulp trays, corrugated paperboard boxes with volume packing and plastic crates with volume packing, all commercial apple packaging. The packaged apples were exposed to two random vibration profiles: leaf spring and air ride suspensions, both set at four different intensities ranging from 0.2 to 0.7 Grms for 1, 3 and 5 h. The findings revealed that both packaging type and vibration parameters significantly influenced apple bruising. Especially, plastic crates with paper pulp trays led to the most severe bruising, whereas corrugated paperboard boxes with volume packing afforded the most protection. Regardless of the packaging design, leaf spring suspension resulted in more apple bruising compared to air ride suspension. The findings of this study provide practical insights for packaging engineers to mitigate the apple bruising during transportation.

Ultrasound-assisted drying of apples – process kinetics, energy consumption, and product quality

Convective drying is a method of preserving fruit. Due to the low energy efficiency of the dryers, it is also one of the most energy intensive. For this reason, modern drying techniques are being sought. They are required to be energy efficient, sustainable and produce high quality products. The aim of this work was to determine the effect of ultrasound on the kinetics and energy consumption of convective drying of apples and the quality of the products. The convective drying process and two US-convective processes with different ultrasonic power were tested. Three apple varieties were dried. Drying kinetics, energy consumption, and product quality (water activity and color change) were compared for the tested processes. Drying kinetics was mathematically modeled. The use of ultrasound accelerated the process in each case. The drying time was reduced and the speed of the process increased. This increase was mainly due to the vibration effect, which caused an increase in the mass transfer coefficient. The use of ultrasound resulted in a decrease in the water activity of the product and a decrease in the color change of the dried material compared to that obtained by the convection method.

Raman spectroscopy as a tool for characterisation of quality parameters in Norwegian grown apples during ripening

This study shows for the first time the feasibility of Raman spectroscopy as a non-destructive method to follow the ripening process of apple fruits. Two different varieties of apples were studied: ‘Aroma’ and ‘Elstar’. By visual inspection, Raman spectra showed that the starch content was higher in ‘Elstar’ apples compared to ‘Aroma’. The degradation of starch over time could be detected in the Raman spectra, indicating that the method can be used to monitor the ripening process. The ripeness markers starch index, soluble solids content (SSC), and the sugars glucose, fructose and sucrose were determined with traditional destructive methods. Cross validated calibration models based on Raman spectroscopy were obtained for all quality parameters, and test set validation offered good results, with R2 in the range 0.4–0.86 for ‘Aroma’ and 0.4–0.95 for ‘Elstar’, respectively. The regression coefficients showed that the calibrations relied on Raman bands associated with starch and different sugars. The results suggest that Raman spectroscopy in the future could be used to determine the optimal time of harvesting and to sort apples into different degrees of ripeness.

Assessment of quality indicators of winter apple varieties

Assessment of quality indicators of winter apple varieties

Assessing Antioxidant Properties, Phenolic Compound Profiles, Organic Acids, and Sugars in Conventional Apple Cultivars (Malus domestica): A Chemometric Approach.

This study analyzed the phenolic compounds, organic acids, sugars, and antioxidant activity in different conventional apple cultivars (Malus domestica) from the Serbian market. Polyphenol profiles, sugars, and organic acid contents were analyzed by HPLC, and antioxidant activity was examined by DPPH and FRAP. Notable findings included variations in phenolic compound presence, with certain compounds detected only in specific cultivars. 'Red Jonaprince' exhibited the highest arbutin (0.86 mg/kg FW) and quercetin-3-rhamnoside content (22.90 mg/kg FW), while 'Idared' stood out for its gallic acid content (0.22 mg/kg FW) and 'Granny Smith' for its catechin levels (21.19 mg/kg FW). Additionally, malic acid dominated among organic acids, with 'Granny Smith' showing the highest content (6958.48 mg/kg FW). Fructose was the predominant sugar across all cultivars. Chemometric analysis revealed distinct groupings based on phenolic and organic acid profiles, with 'Granny Smith' and 'Golden Delicious' exhibiting unique characteristics. Artificial neural network modeling effectively predicted antioxidant activity based on the input parameters. Global sensitivity analysis highlighted the significant influence of certain phenolic compounds and organic acids on antioxidant activity.

A multi-glycomic platform for the analysis of food carbohydrates.

Carbohydrates comprise the largest fraction of most diets and exert a profound impact on health. Components such as simple sugars and starch supply energy, while indigestible components, deemed dietary fiber, reach the colon to provide food for the tens of trillions of microbes that make up the gut microbiota. The interactions between dietary carbohydrates, our gastrointestinal tracts, the gut microbiome and host health are dictated by their structures. However, current methods for analysis of food glycans lack the sensitivity, specificity and throughput needed to quantify and elucidate these myriad structures. This protocol describes a multi-glycomic approach to food carbohydrate analysis in which the analyte might be any food item or biological material such as fecal and cecal samples. The carbohydrates are extracted by ethanol precipitation, and the resulting samples are subjected to rapid-throughput liquid chromatography (LC)-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods. Quantitative analyses of monosaccharides, glycosidic linkages, polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble carbohydrates are performed in 96-well plates at the milligram scale to reduce the biomass of sample required and enhance throughput. Detailed stepwise processes for sample preparation, LC-MS/MS and data analysis are provided. We illustrate the application of the protocol to a diverse set of foods as well as different apple cultivars and various fermented foods. Furthermore, we show the utility of these methods in elucidating glycan-microbe interactions in germ-free and colonized mice. These methods provide a framework for elucidating relationships between dietary fiber, the gut microbiome and human physiology. These structures will further guide nutritional and clinical feeding studies that enhance our understanding of the role of diet in nutrition and health.

Spatiotemporal patterns of leaf nutrients of wild apples in a wild fruit forest plot in the Ili Valley, China

Malus sieversii, commonly known as wild apples, represents a Tertiary relict plant species and serves as the progenitor of globally cultivated apple varieties. Unfortunately, wild apple populations are facing significant degradation in localized areas due to a myriad of factors. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the nutrient status and spatiotemporal variations of M. sieversii, green leaves were collected in May and July, and the fallen leaves were collected in October. The concentrations of leaf nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) were measured, and the stoichiometric ratios as well as nutrient resorption efficiencies were calculated. The study also explored the relative contributions of soil, topographic, and biotic factors to the variation in nutrient traits. The results indicate that as the growing period progressed, the concentrations of N and P in the leaves significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and the concentration of K in October was significantly lower than in May and July. Throughout plant growth, leaf N–P and N–K exhibited hyperallometric relationships, while P–K showed an isometric relationship. Resorption efficiency followed the order of N < P < K (P < 0.05), with all three ratios being less than 1; this indicates that the order of nutrient limitation is K > P > N. The resorption efficiencies were mainly regulated by nutrient concentrations in fallen leaves. A robust spatial dependence was observed in leaf nutrient concentrations during all periods (70.1–97.9% for structural variation), highlighting that structural variation, rather than random factors, dominated the spatial variation. Nutrient resorption efficiencies (NRE, PRE, and KRE) displayed moderate structural variation (30.2–66.8%). The spatial patterns of nutrient traits varied across growth periods, indicating they are influenced by multifactorial elements (in which, soil property showed the highest influence). In conclusion, wild apples manifested differentiated spatiotemporal variability and influencing factors across various leaf nutrient traits. These results provide crucial insights into the spatiotemporal patterns and influencing factors of leaf nutrient traits of M. sieversii at the permanent plot scale for the first time. This work is of great significance for the ecosystem restoration and sustainable management of degrading wild fruit forests.

Transcription factor MdbZIP44 targets the promoter of MdPPO2 to regulate browning in Malus domestica Borkh.

Apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is among the most widely planted and economically valuable horticultural crops globally. Over time, the apple fruit's cut surface undergoes browning, and the degree of browning varies among different apple varieties. Browning not only affects the appearance of fruits but also adversely affects their taste and flavor. In the present study, we observed browning in different apple varieties over time and analyzed the expression of genes in the polyphenol oxidase gene family. The results indicated a strong correlation between the browning degree of the fruit and the relative expression of the polyphenol oxidase gene MdPPO2. With the MdPPO2 promoter as bait, the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor MdbZIP44 was identified using the yeast single-hybrid screening method. Further investigation revealed that the overexpression of MdbZIP44 in ‘Orin’ callus could enhance the expression of MdPPO2 and promote browning of the callus. However, knocking out MdbZIP44 resulted in a callus with no apparent browning phenotype. In addition, our results confirmed the interaction between MdbZIP44 and MdbZIP11. In conclusion, the results indicated that MdbZIP44 can induce apple fruit browning by activating the MdPPO2 promoter. The results provide a theoretical basis for further clarifying the browning mechanism of apple fruit.

History of apple breeding and breeding achievements at FSBSO ARHCBAN

New apple varieties should possess a set of adaptive traits that provide yield, stable fruiting, and highly marketable fruits with a long period of postharvest storage, thus ensuring the profitability of their use in industrial plantings. According to the State Register, the central region of the Russian Federation is one of the leading regions in terms of the number of apple varieties approved for use. Long-term research of scientists and specialists from FSBSO ARHCBAN has greatly contributed to the development and improvement of the assortment both in the region and beyond. The key directions for apple breeding at the institution include improving winter hardiness, resistance to scab, and the columnar shape of the crown. The review article presents the history of shaping the directions for breeding work and modern achievements of FSBSO ARHCBAN in apple breeding, as well as an analysis of the long-term focused scientific activity of breeders. The most significant breeding results were achieved by Prof. V. Kichina, who, together with his students and followers, was the first in Russia to create several columnar apple varieties that offer high winter hardiness, resistance to scab, and marketable qualities of fruits (‘Dialog’, ‘Lukomor’, ‘Malyukha’, ‘Ostankino’, ‘President’, and ‘Chervonets’), as well as fundamentally new high-yielding varieties with a conventional crown shape that possess high adaptability and resistance to pathogens (‘Arkadik’, ‘Legendа’, ‘Marat Busurin’, and ‘Mayak Zagorye’). The article presents the main characteristics of breeding achievements of the last decades: tree crown shape; ripening time of fruits and their qualitative and quantitative indicators (tasting evaluation, average weight, shape, etc.); yield; resistance to abiotic and biotic factors. Data are presented on the use of apple varieties bred by FSBSO ARHCBAN both in agricultural production (on the basis of license agreements) and in scientific and technological cooperation with Russian National Research Universities (inclusion in breeding programs). The apple breeding activities conducted at FSBSO ARHCBAN are described, and the main directions for breeding work are outlined.

Agro-technological aspects of growing branched annual apple nursery plants

The article presents an analytical review of Russian publications reporting the results of studies that search for optimal ways to affect apple plants in order to obtain branched annual plants. Since it has been proved that nursery plants of a certain age and quality are preferable for each type of intensive planting, as their use promotes the early maturity of trees thus ensuring a quick economic return on capital investments, it is currently relevant to study the production of apple tree planting material with specified biometric parameters. The use of mechanical impact on the above-ground part of grafted plants to suppress apical dominance is considered; the effectiveness of stimulating premature shoots in the crown area is confirmed. Much attention is paid by researchers to the chemical treatments of plants in the fields of fruit tree nurseries to improve the quality of annual plants. The use of cytokinin preparations and gibberellic acids is shown to be highly effective. The maximum effect on obtaining branched annual plants in most works was achieved in pomological apple varieties that are prone to the formation of premature shoots, with the budding on vegetatively propagated rootstocks of a first-grade commercial variety at a height of over 15 cm above the soil surface. One of the alternative ways of obtaining branched annual plants is wood grafting in spring and cultivation both in the field and in protected ground with a root-ball system. According to most researchers, the greatest effectiveness of the combined use of various techniques can be achieved only with strict adherence to conventional technologies for each method of cultivation.