1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73

APPLE CULTIVAR EVALUATIONS
Established in 1990 with additions being planted annually, this project focuses on evaluating
promising new apple cultivars and advanced selections for commercial adaptability in North Jersey.
Proper cultivar selection will determine the sustainability of the apple industry in northern New Jersey.
Over sixty cultivars from all regions of the world are currently under test. This project has been
supported by the NJ State Horticultural Society and Snyder Farm Local needs grants.
Fuji (Red Sport#2), Lustre Elstar, Sunrise and Suncrisp (NJ 55) all preformed well in 1999, with
outstanding fruit quality and good storage life. Cameo, Breaburn, Fuji (Red Sport #2) and Scarlet Gala
are proving themselves annual favorites, with fruit of excellent quality consistently being produced.
W. COWGILL, J. COMPTON, M. MALETTA, J. GOFFREDA, A. VORDECKER


APPLE NC-140 DWARF AND SEMI-DWARF ROOTSTOCK EVALUATION
Established in 1994. Evaluating the most advanced apple rootstocks for adaptation to northern New
Jersey conditions. Nineteen dwarfing apple rootstocks with 'Gala' (Treeco
#42) as the scion cultivar
are being grown, utilizing a modified Vertical Axe production system. As part of the regional NC-140
project, these identical plantings were established in 26 states and Canadian provinces. Information to
gain includes the influence of the rootstocks on tree survival and disease susceptibility, tree size
control, precocity, productivity, fruit size and crop value.
For 1999, V1 attained the highest cumulative fruit yields this season, in the dwarf planting, with an
average harvest of 91.921 kg. per tree. (M9)Nicolai 29 had the second highest cumulative yield with
90.334 kg/tree, and maintained the second largest average fruit size at 170 grams/fruit along with (M9)
Pajam 1, also with 170 grams/fruit. The largest fruit weight was attained by M26 EMLA with an
average fruit size of 180 grams/fruit, and also had the third highest cumulative yield at 86.71 kg/tree.
V2 attained the highest cumulative fruit yields this season in the Semi-dwarf planting, with an average
harvest of 106.6 kg. per tree. M26 had the second highest cumulative yield but was able to attain the
largest average fruit size with an average of 151.26 grams/fruit. CG 30's yield performance was the
poorest in all three harvest yield data points. Major tree decline due to partial root death on two of the
five remaining trees made a fully mature, healthy crop unattainable. Supported with Snyder Farm local
needs grants, CSRS/USDA and the NJ State Horticultural Society.
W. COWGILL, J. COMPTON, W. TIETJEN, M. MALETTA


NUTRITIONAL STUDIES ON MYSTERY SPOT OF THE ENTERPRISE APPLE
A solid block of 'Enterprise' was established in 1995 to continue previous research focused on control
methods for 'Mystery Spot'. The control of summer diseases solely through the use of calcium is also
being evaluated in this trial. The Purdue-Rutgers-Illinois Cooperative Breeding Program developed
'Enterprise', a disease resistant variety, in 1971. A disorder, resembling Jonathan Spot, has been
observed on the apple in New Jersey at various locations. Circular and slightly sunken spots
associated with the lenticels characterize 'Mystery Spot'. These spots are variably colored (usually
green to black) and sized. Corky tissue may extend a short distance into the flesh. Spots appear just
prior to harvest and also develop during storage. The severity of this disorder can range from a single
spot to numerous spots. The spots occur less frequently on the stem end than on other areas of the
apple. A decrease in 'Mystery Spot' is correlated with the application of foliar calcium. The best
control was consistently gained by applying calcium in all combinations, with the combination of
Captan 50WP plus CaCl
Results so far have shown a 20% reduction in Fly Speck solely with the use of CaCl
2gaining the best control, in both summer disease and 'Mystery Spot' control.
2,as compared to
the untreated control. Funded with Snyder Farm local needs grants.
W.TIETJEN, J. COMPTON, W. COWGILL, D. POLK, D.ROSENBERGER, G. DONATO


1999 North Jersey Tree Fruit Annual Report

5