NE-183 Apple Cultivar Evaluation Project
Note: as of early 2005, NE-183 was discontinued and a new 'committe' evolved, NECC-1009: Multidisciplinary Evaluation of Tree Fruit Cultivars. For now, ne183.org will host NECC-1009 results, documents, and other pertinent information related to evaluation of tree fruit cultivars.
Objectives:
I. Evaluate horticultural qualities and pest susceptibility of new apple cultivars, strains, and advanced selections at numerous locations throughout the United States to determine both the limitations and positive attributes of these cultivars.
II. Develop horticultural and pest management strategies for new cultivars or cultivar strains that are emerging as commercially-acceptable cultivars.
III. Compare the cost of production and profitability of new apple cultivars.
Zestar!, an early apple cultivar in the 1999 NE-183 Planting
History, Background, and Justification
Apple production in the United States is a strong and viable industry producing a crop value of over $1.6 billion dollars annually. Much of the growth and economic viability of this industry has been based upon the development of cultivars for new and traditional markets. Increasingly the U.S. is competing with foreign producers. Chile, Brazil, South Africa, New Zealand, the European Economic Union, and eastern European countries all impact the market price and sale of apples in the United States. In order to stay competitive it is important to rapidly deploy new and viable apple cultivars. This research will test the performance of new apple cultivars for different growing regions within the U.S., and develop new protocols for managing these cultivars.
NE-183 News
2006 NECC-1009 Annual Meeting Minutes
NE-183 is partially funded by the U.S. hatch Act in partnership
with USDA and CSREES
and partcipating State Agricultural Experiment Stations. For more information
visit the Northeast Regional
Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors.
