ANNUAL REPORT OF COOPERATIVE REGIONAL PROJECTS
Supported by Allocations of the Regional Research Fund, Hatch Act
January 1 to December 31, 1996




PROJECT: NE-183, Multidisciplinary Evaluation of New Apple Cultivars, VERMONT


COOPERATING AGENCIES AND PRINCIPAL LEADERS:

Lorraine Berkett*
Professor
Plant and Soil Science Dept.
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT

Jon M. Clements
Research Technician
Plant and Soil Science Dept.
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT


PROGRESS OF THE WORK AND PRINCIPAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

The 1995 NE-183 Horticulture Planting at the University of Vermont Horticultural Research Center in So. Burlington, VT was maintained per protocols established by the Horticulture Sub-committee at the Annual Meeting of October 1995. Tree growth was good in 1996, and during their second-leaf, most trees had attained heights of two m. and trunk diameters of approximately two cm. Trees were left unpruned during the dormant season, however, some very light pruning of 'nuisance' branches was done during the growing season. Bending and tying of the central leader and scaffold branches was also performed as necessary to maintain desirable tree structure. The trees were largely de-fruited, however, several apples were left on many precocious trees to get an early sneak-preview of the fruit. There were no unusual pest and disease problems observed, with the exception of:

a general curling and whitish yellowing of 'HoneyCrisp' leaves that was quite noticeable by late July. Hypersensitivity to leaf-hopper and/or whitefly infestation is suspected.

a serious flare-up in populations of both two-spotted and European red-mites by late August, resulting in premature leaf drop. Although no data was taken, it appeared some cultivars were much more susceptible to mite infestation and therefore, leaf bronzing and early fruit drop. 'Braeburn' in particular was more seriously afflicted.


Data collected (to date) in 1996 included: # flower clusters per tree during bloom in May; and trunk circumference at the end of the growing season (November). Additional growth data will be collected per protocols established during the 1996 Annual Meeting, and all data will be forwarded to the Project statistician for analysis (as was the 1995 data).
A World Wide Web home page <http://orchard.uvm.edu/ne183/> was established to facilitate communication among Project members and to disseminate information about these new apple varieties to: interested growers; researchers; industry, extension, and government personnel; and the general public.


USEFULNESS OF FINDINGS

Multidisciplinary evaluation of new apple cultivars will provide critical information to insure the success of North American apple growers in what has rapidly become a very competitive, global fruit market. Armed with the information generated by this Project, orchardists will be more confident about planting, growing, and selling the new apple varieties that are sure to have a place in the world fruit market as we approach the year 2000.


WORK PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR:

Tree pruning, training, general maintenance and data collection will continue to be performed under the direction of the Horticulture subcommittee. A small crop of apples should be available for testing in the Planting's third leaf, thereby generating some initial impressions and data about the relative fruit quality and horticultural performance of these new apple cultivars.

NE-183 World Wide Web Internet pages will also be expanded to allow for better collaboration among cooperators, and to include pictures and descriptions of the planted cultivars.



PUBLICATIONS ISSUED OR MANUSCRIPTS APPROVED DURING THE YEAR:

Cowgill, W.P., Jr.; Clements, J. 1995. The Virtual Apple Orchard: A New Medium for Dissemination of Apple Information. Proc. 71st Cumberland Shenandoah Fruit Workers Conf., November 16-17, 1995. Winchester, Virginia.

Clements, J. 1996. Redfree Finds Marketing Niche in Minnesota. Northeast Sustainable Apple Production Newsletter. 6(2):3.