}y~a 4:? f r M .. L t J "t. .iYC_.-ate , A CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION............................................... 3 MATERIALS AND METHODS.................................... RESULTS..................................................... Tree Size.................................................. 4 6 6 Yield............................................... Maturity.................................................. DISCUSSION.................................................11 CONCLUSION................................................14 LITERATURE CITED...........................................16 APPENDIX..................................................17 7 7 FIRST PRINTING 3M, FEBRUARY 1984 Information contained herein is available to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, or national origin. EVALUATION OF FIVE NON-SPUR STRAINS OF RED DELICIOUS APPLES IN CENTRAL ALABAMA W.A. DOZIER, JR., J.W. KNOWLES, W.A. GRIFFEY, H.E. BURGESS, E.L. MAYTON, A.A. POWELL, and J.A. McGUIRE 1 INTRODUCTION APPLES ARE PRODUCED commercially in the North Atlantic, North Central, and Pacific Northwestern regions of the United States and as far south as North Carolina, South Carolina, north Georgia, and Tennessee. However, apples have been produced only on a limited commercial basis in Alabama in recent years. This limited production occurs at the higher elevations of north Alabama and in central Alabama. The Red Delicious has been the most widely grown apple variety in the United States since its introduction around 1894 (15). The original Red Delicious developed more surface red color than other varieties and developed the typical prominent calyx lobes characteristic of the variety today. In the 1920's, bud mutations were found in Red Delicious that produced fruit with greater red color than the original variety. These high coloring sports were named and released as new strains of Red Delicious. The search for better coloring strains continues, and currently there are several hundred strains of the variety on the market with new introductions occurring each year. Associate Professor and Research Associate, Department of Horticulture; Superintendent, Associate Superintendent, and Superintendent (retired), Piedmont Substation; Horticulturist, Alabama Cooperative Extension Service; and Associate Professor, Department of Research Data Analysis. 'Respectively, 4 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Because of climatic conditions, older strains of Red Delicious apples produced in Alabama have not competed well with fruit produced in traditional apple growing regions. The Red Delicious fruit matures in mid-August in Alabama and, because of high night temperatures during the maturation period, fail to develop the high degree of red coloration typical of fruit grown in the northern growing regions (2). High night temperatures occurring during the postbloom period also inhibit the development of the calyx lobes typical of the variety (2, 10, 14). Therefore, the Red Delicious fruit produced in Alabama do not develop the red color, are flatter in shape, and do not possess the "typiness" typical of the northwestern and northern grown Red Delicious fruit. In the early 1960's, considerable interest in growing Red Delicious apples was generated in Alabama. Many plantings were established in central and north Alabama. Primary strains of Red Delicious initially planted included selections such as Richardred, Skyline Supreme, Ryan Red, Vance, and Starkrimson. There was no information on performance of these strains of Red Delicious in Alabama. This study was conducted to determine ultimate tree size, yield potential, fruit quality, and ripening date of five non-spur strains of Red Delicious apples on MM106 rootstock in the Piedmont area of central Alabama. MATERIALS AND METHODS An experimental planting of five strains of non-spur Red Delicious apples on MM106 rootstock was established in the spring of 1965 and 1966 at the Piedmont Substation, Camp Hill. A randomized complete block planting design was used with three replications of six trees per variety in each replication. The planting was established on a 16- by 24-foot spacing with 113.4 trees per acre. The trees were trained to a modified central leader system. In the winter of 1972, and in each pruning season through 1975, the trees were reduced in height to about 8.5 feet with a Fossum tree pruner. Detailed hand pruning was carried out after mechanical pruning. Beginning in 1976, the trees were hand pruned only and were allowed to increase about 1.5 feet in height each year. The non-spur Red Delicious strains evaluated were Top Red, Vance, Red Prince, Red King, and Red Queen. The Top Red, Red Prince, and Red Queen trees were planted in the spring of 1965 and the Vance and Red King trees in the spring of 1966. The pollinator variety, Gold- EVALUATION OF FIVE NON-SPUR STRAINS 5 spur Golden Delicious on MM106 rootstock, bloomed 7 to 10 days after the Red Delicious trees and was topworked to Mollies Delicious in the spring of 1968. Beginning in the spring of 1969 and each season thereafter, hives of bees were moved into the orchard at the rate of one hive per acre when 15 percent of the blossoms were open and removed at petal fall. Stabilized Golden Delicious pollen was used with bee hive inserts to help ensure pollination. Recommended practices for fertility and weed, insect, and disease control were followed. Tree spread, height, and trunk diameter were recorded in the fall of 1969, 1971, 1975, 1979, and 1982. Yield data were recorded each season from 1970 to 1982, except in 1971 when only a few scattered fruit were produced. Fruit samples were collected periodically during the ripening season from 1971 to 1982 to determine the optimum maturity date. Maturity indices evaluated at each sample date were fruit firmness, percent soluble solids, size, percent fruit surface with a solid red blush, total fruit surface with red color development, ground color, flesh color, and seed color. Fruit firmness was measured by use of an Instron Model 1122 Universal Testing Instrument with an 11-mm plunger. Soluble solids were measured by use of a hand-held refractometer. Percentages of the fruit surface with some red color development and solid red blush were subjectively rated and expressed as a percent of the total fruit surface. Flesh and ground colors were subjectively evaluated. Ground color was expressed as green with a yellow tint (GYT), yellow with a green tint (YGT), or yellow (Y). Flesh color was expressed as green (G), green with a white tint (GWT), white with a green tint (WGT), white (W), white with a yellow tint (WYT), yellow with a white tint (YWT), or yellow (Y). Tentative standards to determine when Red Delicious apples reach an acceptable maturity level for harvesting were developed in Virginia and have been adapted to other areas (9). These standards are based on fruit firmness and percent soluble solids. The value ranges vary to take into account soil types, water stress, general tree age and vigor, and climatic conditions. The tentative standard indicates Red Delicious apples would be of acceptable maturity for early marketing if testing 16.5 or less pounds firmness regardless of sugar level, or if 12.5 percent soluble solids or higher, regardless of firmness. For Delicious testing 16.5 pounds pressure or firmer, or for fruit with less than 12.5 percent soluble solids, a standard of 18.5 pounds firmness and 11.0 percent soluble solids can be used. A sliding scale is used for lower or higher firmness or soluble solids in a 6 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION ratio of 1 pound firmness to 0.5 percent soluble solids, or 0.2 pound pressure to 0.1 percent soluble solids. If average pressure test soluble solids percent firmness is not over: and is not less than: 16.5 ................................................. 10.0 17.5 ................. ............................ 10.5 18.5.....................................................11.0 19.5.............. .... ...... ...................... 11.5 20.5 ..................... ..... ......................... 12.0 21.5 .................................................. 12.5 RESULTS Tree Size All trees made excellent growth during the first 17-18 years of the orchard's life as measured by trunk diameter, tree spread, and height, table 1. In 1969, the trunk diameter of Vance and Red King TABLE 1. INFLUENCE OF STRAIN ON TREE SIZE OF NON-SPUR RED DELICIOUS APPLE TREES ON MM106 ROOTSTOCK OF VARIOUS AGES Variety Trunk diameter In. Tree height Ft. 10.2a 10.Oa 10. la 9.9a 10.0a 12.5a 13.0Oa 13.0a 12.8a 13.1a 14.2a 14.5a 15.1la 16.1a 15.0a 15.2a 15.5a 15.7a 16.2a 15.8a 15.3a 16.1a 16.6a 17.0a 15.6a Tree spread Ft. 6.9a 6.5a 6.7a 6.5a 6.9a 10.8a 11.2a 11.3a 11.6a 13.8a 14.2a 13.9a 15.3a 14.1a 17.8a 17.8a 18.8a 18.6a 18.8a 17.2a 16.8a 17.6a 18.9a 17.1a Seasonal terminal growth Ft. Height (last mech. pruning) Ft. 4-year-old Top Red ........ Vance .......... Red Prince ...... Red King ....... Red Queen...... 6-year-old Top Red ........ Vance .......... Red Prince ...... Red King ....... Red Queen ...... 10-year-old Top Red ........ Vance ........... Red Prince ...... Red King ....... Red Queen ...... 15-year-old Top Red ........ Vance .......... Red Prince ...... Red King ....... Red Queen ...... 18-year-old Top Red ........ Vance .......... Red Priince ...... Red King ....... Red Queen ...... 2.68a' 2.24b 2.82a 2.23b 2.93a 3.75ab 3.71b 4.06ab .3.77ab 4.09a 5.73a 5.77a 6.02a .5.95a 5.97a 7.15a 7.14a 7.57a .7.52a 7.72a 7.56a 7.36a 7.79a .7.69a 7.38a - - - - 11.1a -- 9.3a 9.3a 9.5a 9.3a 9.3a 8.3a 8.7a 8.4a 8.7a 8.5a - 4.5a 4.9a 4.4a 6.0a 4.8a 1.3a 1.4a 1.3a 1.5a 1.4a 1.6a 1.7a1.8a1.8a1.6a - 'Mean separation within columns in the appropriate group, by Duncan's multiple range test, 5 percent level. EVALUATION OF FIVE NON-SPUR STRAINS 7 was less than Top Red, Red Prince, and Red Queen. Vance and Red King were planted in 1966 and the other three strains were planted in 1965; therefore, this difference was probably due to age and not strain. There were no differences in trunk diameter, tree spread, or height due to variety during this experiment. The trees made excessive vegetative growth during the 1972-75 period and over the next several years because of the severe mechanical pruning previously mentioned. From the spring of 1976 through the spring of 1982, the trees were hand pruned and allowed to increase in canopy height about 1.5 feet each season. In 1979 and 1982, the trees made from 15-18 inches of terminal growth and ranged in height from 15.5 to 16.3 feet at the end of the 1979 growing season and 15.3 to 17.0 feet at the end of the 1982 growing season. The trees were approaching their mature fruiting height as evidenced by the crop load, terminal growth, and stabilized tree height from 1979 through 1982. Yield A few fruit were produced in 1968 and 1969; however, the first light commercial crop was not produced until 1970 when the trees were in the 5th and 6th leaf, table 2. Lower yields were produced by Vance and Red King in 1970, probably reflecting the 1-year younger age. No crop was set in 1971 and the crop in 1973 was reduced by a low temperature of 25.5°F on April 14. During the 13 years of fruiting, 1970-82, Red Queen and Red Prince produced the highest yields and Red King produced the lowest yields. Larger annual yields were produced beginning in 1975, with yields fluctuating from one year to the next, with a high crop year preceeding a lower crop. During the 8-year period, from 1975 to 1982, Red Queen produced significantly higher yields than Red King but did not yield more than any of the other strains. There was no difference in yield among any of the other strains. Maturity Data collected on maturity indices and fruit quality from fruit samples (collected periodically during the fruit maturation period each season from 1971 through 1982) are summarized in table 3 with the yearly data being presented in appendix tables 1-12. The strains of non-spur Red Delicious tested did not vary in quality measurements of fruit size, length/diameter (L/D) ratio, fruit firmness, OD TABLE 2. EFFECT OF STRAIN OF NON-SPUR RED DELICIOUS APPLES ON MM106 ROOTSTOCK ON YIELD PER ACRE 1970. ................ 1971................. Top Red Bu. 2 92a' ( 0.8 ) -- Vance Bu. 54b - ( 0.5) ( 3.7) ( 0.7) (1.8) ( 5.8) ( 2.8) ( 5.7) ( 3.6) ( 8.2) ( 5.3) (14.3) ( 8.3) (60.6) ( 4.7) ( 6.7) Yield per acre by variety Red Prince Bu. ( 1.1) 118a - Red King Bu. ( 0.3) 30b 312d 17d 87b 390b 272a 657a 370a 853a 787ab 863c 905a 5,542c 426c 637b ( 2.6) ( .2) ( .8) ( 3.4) ( 2.4) ( 6.0) ( 3.3) ( 7.5) ( 6.9) ( 7.6) ( 8.0) (48.9) ( 3.8) ( 5.6) Red Queen Bu. (1.0) 109a 546ab 169a 187ab 692a 589a 810a 408a 1,209a 970a 1,260b 822a 7,770a 598a 845a ( 4.8) ( 1.5) (1.7) ( 6.1) ( 5.2) ( 7.2) ( 3.6) (10.7) ( 8.6) (11.1) ( 7.3) (68.5) ( 5.3) ( 7.5) 1972................. 1973.................. 1974................. 1975. ................ 1976. ................ 1977. ................ 1978. ................ 1979. ................ 1980. ................ 1981................. 1982................. Cumulative yield ...... 13-year av. yield ...... 8-year av. yield ...... 467bc 158a 184ab 545ab 462a 667a 343a 1,119a 747ab 1,265b . 740a 6,787b 522b 736ab ( 4.1) ( 1.4) (1.6) ( 4.8) ( 4.1) ( 5.9) ( 3.0) ( 9.9) ( 6.6) (11.2) ( 6.5) (59.9) ( 4.6) ( 6.5) 423c 80c 200ab 652a 313a 649a 403a 930a 606b 1,617a 943a 6,869b 528b 764ab 582a 115b 225a 719a 377a 831a 438a 1,217a 953a 1,019bc 1,023a 7,617a 586a 822ab ( 5.1) (1.0) ( 2.0) ( 6.3) ( 3.3) ( 7.3) ( 3.9) (10.7) ( 8.4) ( 9.0) ( 9.0) (67.2) ( 5.7) ( 7.3) r r X M z o -I -i 'Mean separation, within rows, by Duncan's multiple range test, 5 percent level. Value in parenthesis is the yield in bushels per tree. z r- C -! 0 TABLE 3. AVERAGE OF MATURITY INDICES AND FRUIT QUALITY OF FIVE NON-SPUR RED DELICIOUS APPLE STRAINS FROM 1971 TO 1982, BASED ON MINIMUM MATURITY LEVELS OF FIRMNESS AND PERCENT SOLUBLE SOLIDS OR BASED ON RED COLOR DEVELOPMENT Z O "1 Minimum' maturity level Firmness and pet. ss... Red color ............ Firmness and pet. ss... Red color ............ Firmness and pct. ss... Red color ............ Firmness and pct. ss... Red color ............ Firmness and pct. ss... Red color ............ Firmness, Pct. soluble Fruit size lb./sq. in. solids (ss) Dia., in. Length, in. 17.8 17.1 18.0 16.6 18.3 16.4 17.8 16.7 17.3 15.1 12.3 12.1 12.8 12.6 12.4 13.4 12.5 12.6 12.1 12.7 2.73 2.76 2.68 2.78 2.69 2.78 2.72 2.79 2.80 2.85 2.53 2.57 2.58 2.72 2.50 2.66 2.63 2.63 2.67 2.71 L/D ratio PCt. red color Blush Total 82 74 74 82 65 88 84 90 70 88 Ground 2 color GYT GYT GYT YGT GYT YGT-Y GYT YGT GYT YGT Flesh 3 color WYT GYT-WYT WGT WYT WGT-WYT WYT-Y WYT WYT WYT WYT-Y Pet. seed color 89 80 89 91 88 93 94 92 94 92 m Top Red 0.91 56 .91 63 Vance .90 36 .91 56 Red Prince .92 30 .92 57 Red King .92 45 .89 62 Red Queen .92 30 54 .90 O 0 co -I Z C 'Data for all years were averaged for each strain on date that the fruit reached a minimum level of maturity as expressed by firmness and percent soluble solids and fruit color. Dates are shown in table 20. 2 Ground color ratings: GYT = green with yellow tint, YGT = yellow with green tint, Y = yellow. 3 Flesh color ratings: G = green, GWT = green with white tint, WGT = white with green tint, W = white, WYT = white with yellow tint, YWT = yellow with white tint, Y = yellow. co 0 TABLE 4. EFFECT OF STRAIN OF RED DELICIOUS ON FRUIT MATURITY AS MEASURED BY FIRMNESS AND PERCENT SOLUBLE SOLIDS OR BY RED COLOR Date each Strain reached acceptable level of maturity based on firmness and percent of soluble solids or red color Year Top Red Firmness Red and pct. ss color Vance Firmness Red and pct. ss color 8-27 8-18 8-6 8-5 8-5 8-9 8-5 8-10 8-10 8-15 8-10 8-138-11 8-20 8-25 8-20 8-16 8-5 8-9 8-22+ 8-21 8-17 9-5+ 8-21 8-20+ 8-19 Red Prince Firmness Red and pct. ss color 827 818 8-6 8-5 8-5 8-9 8-5 8-10 8-10 8-15 8-10 8-138-11 813 91 8-28 8-23 8-22 8-20 8-15 8-25 8-24 95 8-28+ 8-20 8-22 Red King Firmness Red and pct. ss color 8-27 818 8-6 8-5 8-8 8-9 8-5 8-10 8-10 -8-10 8-138-11 813 8-18 8-23 8-12 8-22 8-20 8-15 8-10 8-13 8-28 8-138-17 Red Queen Firmness Red and pct. ss color 827 8-18 8-6 8-5 8-11 8-9 8-5 8-10 8-10 -8-10 8-138-11 813 9-15 8-28 8-23+ 8-25 8-20 8-22 8-25+ 8-24 8-24 8-20+ 8-25 1971................. 1972................. 1973.................8-6 1974.................8-5 1975................. 1976................. 1977................. 1978................. 1979................. 19 ..0.. . . . . . 1981................. 1982................. Av. maturity........... 8-27 8-18 8-11 8-9 8-5 8-10 8-10 8-15 8-10 8-138-12 8-6 8-4 8-17 8-12 8-5 8-9 8-8 8-14 8-10 8-25 8-10 8-138-11 w C) C r-I C r -o m Z -1 C,) -I z EVALUATION OF FIVE NON-SPUR STRAINS 11 TABLE 5. THE DATE OF FULL BLOOM, MINIMUM MATURITY DATE, AND NUMBER OF DAYS FROM FULL BLOOM UNTIL MATURITY OF FIVE STRAINS OF NONSPUR RED DELICIOUS APPLES, 1971-82 Year 1971 .............. 1972 .............. 1973.............. 1974 .............. 1975 .............. 1976 .............. 1977 .............. 1978 .............. 1979 .............. 1980 ............. 1981............... 1982............... Av. .............. 1 Date of full bloom 4-15 3-26 4-14 4-4 4-5 3-28 3-28 4-3 4-7 4-10 4-4 4-1 4-4 Minimum acceptable maturity date 8-27 8-18 8-6 8-5 8-11 8-9 8-5 8-10 8-10 8-15 8-10 8-13 8-11 1 Days from bloom to maturity 134 146 114 123 128 135 131 129 125 127 128 135 130.6 Minimum maturity level based on fruit firmness and percent soluble solids. percent soluble solids, flesh color, ground color, or date on which they would meet a minimum level of maturity based on firmness and percent soluble solids. The average date each strain reached an acceptable minimum level of maturity was August 11, table 4. This varied from as early as August 5 in 1973, 1974, and 1977 to as late as August 27 in 1971. However, only Top Red had a sufficient percent of the fruit surface with a solid red blush by August 11 to meet the U.S. Extra Fancy grade (6). Top Red had developed a solid red blush over 50 percent of the fruit surface in 7 of the 12 years by the time the fruit met the acceptable minimum maturity level based on firmness and percent soluble solids (1, 9). During the 12-year period from 1971 through 1982, the average full bloom date was on April 4, table 5. However, the date of full bloom varied from as early as March 26 in 1972 to as late as April 15 in 1971. Based on the minimum acceptable maturity date of August 11, these strains required an average of 130 days from full bloom to maturity during this 12-year period, table 3. The number of days from full bloom to maturity varied from 114 days in 1973 to 146 days in 1972. DISCUSSION The non-spur Red Delicious strains on MM106 rootstock evaluated in this study produced trees that were larger than desired. This probably reflects the long growing season in the South and the pruning and training system used in the early years of tree development. Had the newer training system (3, 7) using clothes pins and 12 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION wire braces to develop the scaffold branches and feathering to induce earlier spur development been used, tree growth should have been limited by earlier and heavier fruiting. The trees had reached their mature fruiting height in the fall of 1979 as evidenced by the reduced cumulative growth over the next three seasons. Only vigorous sprout growth was removed during the last three seasons. Tree size can be held to a more manageable height by spur type strains and by more size controlling rootstocks. Trees in this study filled their allotted space in 10 to 12 years. Because of the long growing season in Alabama, young apple trees make more seasonal vegetative growth than is made in more northern fruit growing areas. Therefore, it is imperative that proper nitrogen fertilization and training procedures of the young trees be followed to induce early fruiting and discourage excessive vegetative growth (3, 7). If spur type strains and more dwarfing rootstocks are used, more trees could be planted per acre with higher anticipated yields per acre being produced. Yield during the early years was reduced by the severe pruning practiced in an attempt to hold tree size down. However, yield was at an acceptable level during the last eight seasons of fruiting. The yield produced during this period was greater than reported in Tennessee (5) and in the range of the 700-bushel-per-acre production reported to be the goal of Washington State apple growers (8). The maturity evaluations depict the problems Alabama apple growers have faced in marketing their crop. Even though yield and fruit quality other than red surface color have been adequate, the growers have encountered marketing resistance caused by the lack of red color. The fruit matures prior to the poor coloring strains developing sufficient red color to compete with the highly colored fruit coming from controlled atmospheric storage. Top Red was the only strain evaluated in this study that developed sufficient red color to compete favorably with the fruit from controlled atmospheric storage. However, other high coloring strains evaluated in variety evaluation plantings in Alabama developed sufficient red color to compete with fruit from other areas. Some of these strains are Early Red-one, Oregon Spur, Red Chief, Sharp Red, and Starkrimson. These strains have produced good crops of large, highly colored fruit. Early Red-one matures about 1 week earlier than most other strains and 100 percent of the fruit surface develops a solid red blush before the fruit matures. Starkrimson ripens about 7 to 10 days later than most other strains of Red Delicious. EVALUATION OF FIVE NON-SPUR STRAINS 13 High night temperatures occurring during the ripening period of apples inhibit red color development (4, 11, 14). In Alabama, it should be anticipated that most strains of Red Delicious will develop insufficient red color because they ripen in early to mid-August when high night temperatures are encountered. Therefore, strains should be evaluated for their ability to color under high night temperatures. Only those possessing the ability to develop sufficient red color should be planted. These new high coloring strains of Red Delicious would give Alabama apple growers an advantage in marketing because fruit would ripen in August adequately to meet minimum grade standards and compete favorably with fruit from storage. The 130-day average ripening period from bloom to harvest during this 12-year study is less than the number of days generally reported necessary for fruit development and maturation (1, 11). Eggert reported that temperatures during the first 30 to 40 days after bloom were the most influential in determining the elapsed time from bloom to harvest (4). Olsen and Martin suggest that climatic conditions near the normal harvesting period also have important effects on the maturation process (11). Their work indicates low night temperatures might stimulate the initiation or speed of reactions involved in the maturation process and warm night temperatures might adversely affect the maturation process. Olsen and Martin suggest that in each fruit growing area an average number of days from bloom to harvest can be used as a general guide for harvest (11). However, fluctuations in the optimum period from bloom to harvest and in fruit quality can be expected from year to year due to annual climatic variations. It should be noted that in 10 of the 12 years reported in this study, the fruit reached a minimum maturity level for harvest based on percent soluble solids and fruit firmness, near the 130-day average. However, in 1972 the fruit were 16 days later in reaching maturity and in 1973 they reached maturity 16 days earlier. The five non-spur strains of Delicious evaluated in this study did not differ in fruit L/D ratios. They did not have a L/D ratio of .93, generally considered necessary to be classed as "typy" fruit (10). However, these non-spur strains had higher L/D ratios than many strains developed in Alabama (2). Earlier research indicated that fruit typiness was affected by postbloom temperatures during the first 2-3 weeks after bloom (12). Later research has indicated fruit shape can be adversely affected by high temperatures during the first 30 to 40 days after bloom (4), and Westwood (13) reported that 14 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION high temperatures the first 100 days of fruit development can adversely affect fruit shape. Red Prince and Red King generally had more development of the calyx lobes than the other three varieties. Top Red generally had less calyx lobe development, making it appear to be more oblate than the other strains tested. However, there were no significant differences in the L/D ratios. Red Delicious apples can be profitably produced in Alabama if the proper strains are grown. Yields produced in the State compare favorably with those of the northern production areas. However, because of the high night temperatures during the maturation period, many strains do not develop adequate red surface color to meet the Federal grade standards and are difficult to sell through established marketing channels. Therefore, only strains that have been evaluated and proven to possess the ability to color under the climatic conditions in Alabama should be grown. Growers have been applying ethephon during most production years to enhance red coloration of fruits. This treatment (1 pint per 100 gallons) is applied 7 to 10 days before normal harvest. Results of the practice vary from good to poor depending on the temperatures in late July-early August. Applications made when temperatures are not excessively high (less than 85°F) have given good results. However, if daytime highs are in the 90's with nighttime low's in the 70's, development of red color is poor and this condition is somewhat aggravated during dry weather. Ethephon should not be applied if air temperatures are above 85°F. If applied under such conditions, fruits develop a very unattractive rosy-greenish skin color. Although ethephon is another chemical tool available to the apple grower, it cannot always be used to salvage the crop. Therefore, the ideal approach is for growers to establish orchards using the spur and non-spur Red Delicious strains which have superior red coloring characteristics under Alabama conditions. Ethephon could then be applied on an "as needed" basis during a given season. CONCLUSION The non-spur strains of Red Delicious evaluated in this study did not vary in growth rate or size of the mature fruiting trees. The mature non-spur Red Delicious apple trees on MM106 rootstock grown on the Piedmont soils in central Alabama averaged from 15.3 to 17.0 feet tall and 17.1 to 18.9 feet wide. Four of the five strains tested produced acceptable yields when compared to production in other areas of the country. During the last 8 years of the study, the EVALUATION OF FIVE NON-SPUR STRAINS 15 highest yielding strain, Red Queen, produced an average yield of 845 bushels per acre and the lowest yielding strain, Red King, produced an average yield of 637 bushels per acre. During the 12-year period, from 1971 through 1982, the average full bloom date varied from as early as March 26 in 1972 to as late as April 15 in 1971. Based on the percent soluble solids and firmness, the fruit reached a minimum acceptable maturity level by August 11. The fruit required an average of 130 days from full bloom to reach a minimum acceptable maturity level. The days required for maturity varied from a low of 114 days in 1973 to a high of 146 days in 1972. The strains did not differ in quality other than red color development. Top Red was the only strain that produced sufficient red color to meet grade standards by the early harvest dates. 16 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION LITERATURE CITED (1) (2) (3) G.D. 1979. Predicting Early Harvest Maturity Dates for 'Delicious' Apples in New York. HortScience 14:710-711. DOZIER, W.A., JR., W.A. GRIFFEY, AND H.F. BURGESS. 1980. Effect of Growth Regulators on the Development of 'Delicious' Apples. HortScience 15:743-744. BLANPIED, , C.C. CARLTON, K.C. SHORT, W.A. GRIFFEY, HE. BURGESS, A.A. POWELL, AND JOHN MCGUIRE. 1980. Pruning and Training of Red Delicious Apples. Ala. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. 519. EGGERT, F.P. 1960. The Relation Between Heat Unit Accumulation and the Length of Time Required to Mature McIntosh Apples in Maine. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 76:98-105. (5) GILMORE, T.R. 1967. Apple Production on the Cumberland Plateau. Tenn. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. 432. (6) GRANGE, G.R. 1972. United States Standards for Grades of Apples (29 F.R. 10573, 31 F.R. 1171, and 37 F.R. 14381). USDA., Agr. Marketing Ser., Washington, D.C. pp. 1-8. (7) HEINICKE, DON R. 1975. High-density Apple Orchards-Planning, Training, and Pruning. USDA Agr. Res. Ser. Agr. Handbook 458:1-34. (8) LUCE, BILL. 1980. Pomological Commentary. The Goodfruit Grower. March 15:6. (9) MATrUS, G.D. 1966. Maturity Standards for 'Red Delicious'. Amer. Fruit Grower 86(8):16. (10) MILLER, STEPHENS S. 1979. Effects of Promalin on the Physical Characteristics of'Delicious' Apples Grown in Two Geographic Locations. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 104:857-860. (4) (11) OLSEN, KENNETH L. AND GEORGE C. MARTIN. 1980. Influence of Apple Bloom Date on Maturity and Storage Quality of'Starking Delicious' Apples. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 105:183-186. (12) SHAW, J.K. 1914. A Study of Variations in Apples. Mass. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. 149. pp. 29-36. (13) WESTWOOD, M.N. 1962. Seasonal Changes in Specific Gravity and Shape of Apples, Pears, and Peach Fruits. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci:., 80:90-96. (14) AND L.T. BLANEY. 1963. Non-climatic Factors Affecting the Shape of Apple Fruits. Nature 200:802-803. (15) UPSHALL, W. H. 1970. North American Apples: Varieties, Rootstocks Outlook. Mich. State Univ. Press, East Lansing. pp. 45-68. EVALUATION OF FIVE NON-SPUR STRAINS 17 EVALUATION OF FIVE NON-SPUR STRAINS APPENDIX APPENDIX TABLE 1. MATURITY INDICES ON FIVE NON-SPUR RED DELICIOUS ROOTSTOCK, 1971 APPLE STRAINS ON MM 17 1O6 Firmness Sample date Side of fruit Red Green (lb. /sq. in.) Pet, soluble solids Side of fruit Red Green Fruit da.,in. Pt.rd color (blush) Gon color Fls color Pt.ed color 8-16....... 8-13....... 8-20...... 8-27....... 9-3........ 9-8........ 8-6....... Top Red 23.3 -- 9.8 - 2.74 21.6 22.9 23.9 22.9 19.6 23.1 21.6 22.6 24.7 22.7 - 9.6 10.0 11.6 12.0 14.0 8.6 9.6 10.4 11.0 11.2 13.4 9.6 9.4 10.8 11.6 -- 2.68 2.76 2.94 2.90 2.88 88 89 99 95 94 95 48 56 81 81 96 83 57 75 85 93 95 85 74 86 94 91 96 95 72 84 88 94 96 96 CYT GYT CYT GYT Y Y G GYT CYT Y Y Y CYT GYT CYT CYT Y Y CYT CYT CYT Y Y Y CYT CYT CYT Y Y Y WGT W WYT WYT WYT WYT C W WYT WYT WYT WYT C W WYT WYT WYT WYT C W WYT WYT WYT WYT WCT WCT WYT WYT WYT WYT 33 82 82 93 98 100 34 70 90 92 93 98 37 79 80 95 100 100 36 82 88 96 98 100 29 73 86 98 99 100 Vance 8-13....... 8-20....... 8-27....... 9-3........ 9-8....... 22.7 21.4 24.6 22.5 17.6 22.5 22.3 23.9 21.6 -- 8-6........24.3 8-13....... 22.4 8-20....... 22.5 8-27....... 24.5 9- 3....... 23.4 9-8 ........ 19.2 22.3 22.2 23.9 22.1 -- 8.6 10.0 10.4 10.8 11.6 13.0 8.2 2.58 2.66 2.81 2.71 2.81 -2.74 Red Prince 2.58 -- 9.0 10.2 10.2 11.0 9.4 2.70 8- 6....... 9.2 2.78 10.2 2.84 11.8 2.90 -2.85 Red King -- 21.8 2.63 8-13....... 22.8 8-20....... 8-27....... 9- 3....... 23.1 22.5 9.6 10.6 9.4 10.0 2.59 2.73 22.3 9-8........ 8-6........ 23.8 22.8 18.4 23.7 23.2 22.2 --- 11.5 11.6 12.6 9.0 11.0 10.8 - 2.80 2.75 2.85 2.76 Red Queen - 8-13....... 8-20....... 8-27....... 9- 3....... 9-8 ........ vuv 21.7 21.6 23.7 22.8 19.2 uu v 22.3 21.7 23.6 23.2 -uu u 9.8 10.2 10.8 12.2 13.8 Iv r 9.8 10.0 10.0 11.8 -v u 2.66 2.76 2.83 2.66 2.75 u iv 18 18 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION APPENDIX TABLE 2. MATURITY INDICES OF FIVE NON-SPUR RED DELICIOUS APPLE STRAINS ON M M1O6 ROOTSTOCK, 1972 Sample date Firmness, Pet, soluble Fruit size lb./sq. in. solids Dia., in. Length, in. L/D ratio Pet. red color Blush Total Ground color Flesh color Pet. seed color Top Red 7-28 ... 8-4 .... 8-11 ... 8-18 ... 8-25 ... 9-1 .... 9-8 .... 9-15 ... 7-28 ... 8-4 .... 8-11 ... 8-18 ... 8-25 ... 9-1 .... 9-8 .... 9-15 ... 7-28 ... 18.7 18.4 16.7 16.7 16.7 15.8 16.0 14.8 19.9 18.3 18.3 17.2 15.3 15.9 16.4 19.4 19.2 8.0 8.0 8.2 10.6 10.8 11.4 11.6 12.4 9.0 8.6 9.0 11.2 12.2 11.2 11.8 12.0 8.6 8.4 2.69 2.74 2.69 2.73 2.72 2.80 2.79 2.78 2.72 2.72 2.74 2.66 2.64 2.70 2.78 2.76 2.74 2.69 ----- ---- 2.54 2.48 - ----- .91 .89 Vance -- 75 68 67 80 88 92 94 9 43 42 54 66 72 86 10 23 24 42 61 65 84 44 45 50 60 54 70 88 30 47 39 41 43 48 49 73 96 95 79 100 100 100 100 36 40 71 77 92 95 95 95 45 70 76 73 95 97 97 97 76 91 92 90 95 95 98 98 59 82 78 88 94 98 99 91 C CYT CYT CYT CYT CYT YGT Y C C CYT CYT CYT CYT CYT YCT C CYT CYT CYT CYT CYT GYT YCT C CYT CYT CYT CYT CYT YCT YCT C CYT CYT CYT CYT CYT CYT YCT C C WCT WCT "WCT WYT WYT Y C CWT WCT WCT WYT WYT WYT Y C C WCT WCT WCT WYT WYT Y C CWT WCT WYT WYT WYT WYT YWT C CWT WCT WCT WCT WYT WYT CWT 14 35 49 81 90 100 100 100 26 39 73 90 98 100 100 100 19 37 72 86 97 100 100 100 26 54 56 100 100 100 100 100 26 54 56 100 100 100 100 100. ---- 2.56 2.55 -- 8-4 ---- .92 .92 Red Prince -- .... 8-11 ... 8-18 ... 8-25 ... 9-1 .... 9-8 .... 9-15 ... 7-28 16.5 17.6 17.2 15.7 8.8 11.0 12.2 12.2 2.76 2.66 2.66 2.76 -2.52 -- 16.4 16.1 20.1 17.7 12.2 13.2 8.8 8.0 .91 2.76 2.84 2.64 2.73 2.52 2.48 8-4 .... 8-11 ... 8-18 ... 8-25 ... 9-1 .... 9-8 .... 9-15 ... 7-28 8-4 ... .... ... --- .91 .87 Red King -- 16.6 16.9 16.9 16.3 16.8 16.6 17.7 17.5 8.0 11.0 11.4 11.8 12.4 13.0 8.2 8.0 2.80 2.63 2.73 2.70 2.80 2.80 2.63 2.58 ----- ----- 2.46 ---- .88 --- Red Queen 8.3 10.8 10.8 10.8 10.8 11.6 8-11 ... 8-18... 8-25 ... 9-1 .... 9-8 .... 9-15 l\lr ... 16.6 16.4 16.3 16.1 16.3 15.4 2.75 2.74 2.76 2.71 2.79 2.93 ----- ----- 2.58 2.52 .93 .86 , r, EVALUATION OF FIVE NON-SPUR STRAINS 19 EVALUATION OF FIVE NON-SPUR STRAINS APPENDIX TABLE 3. MATURITY INDICES OF FIVE NON-SPUR RED DELICIOUS APPLE STRAINS ON M M1O6 ROOTSTOCK, 1973 Sample date Firmness, lb./sq. in. Pet. soluble solids Fruit dia., in. PcI. red color Blush Total Ground color Flesh color 1 Pct, seed color 8-6.......18.1 8-10.... 17.4 8-14.... 17.0 8-17.... 17.3 8-20.... 6.0 8-23.... 6.0 8-28.... 5.3 8-31.... 15.3 8-6.......17.8 8-10.... 6.8 8-14.... 7.6 8-17.... 16.8 8-20.... 5.5 8-23.... 6.0 8-28.... 3.8 8-31.... 16.2 8-6.......17.4 8-10.... 17.0 8-14.... 7.8 8-17.... 7.1 8-20.... 5.9 8-23. 16.9 8-28 ... 14.5 15.7 8-31.... 11.8 11.7 11.9 11.6 12.0 12.7 13.4 1.1 12.0 12.4 11.7 12.4 12.7 12.7 12.8 13.0 12.1 12.2 12.9 12.6 12.7 12.7 13.6 13.6 11.7 11.3 11.5 11.1 11.9 11.6 12.6 11.2 10.6 11.7 11.4 11.7 11.9 11.8 12.6 2.56 2.77 2.71 2.71 2.92 2.80 2.70 290 2.66 2.69 2.74 2.82 2.83 2.78 2.87 2.72 2.77 2.76 2.82 2.75 2.84 2.78 2.82 2.89 2.68 2.70 2.79 2.80 2.81 2.73 2.69 2.83 2.95 2.70 2.61 2.92 2.85 2.94 2.74 8-6 ........ 8-10.... 8-14 ... 8-17.... 8-20 ... 8-23 ... 8-28 ... 17.1 17.4 17.7 17.1 15.8 16.8 16.1 16.3 8-6 ........ 8-10 ... 8-14.... 8-17 ... 8-20 ... 8-23 ... 8-28 ... 8-31.... 16.7 16.8 17.3 15.0 15.1 14.1 15.6 Top Red 8 45 47 51 68 39 75 89 Vance 6 8 22 34 58 35 59 80 Red Prince 5 4 20 26 41 48 62 69 Red King 21 40 29 46 43 64 79 Red Queen 8 3 23 26 22 49 63 77 70 79 80 84 84 72 99 94 85 48 71 62 88 70 80 95 54 51 64 79 88 96 77 95 70 82 82 82 91 81 100 29 49 71 74 83 69 97 88 CYT CYT CYT CYT CYT GYT YCT Y CYT CYT CYT CYT YCT CYT CYT YCT CYT GYT CYT CYT YCT YGT YCT YCT GYT CYT YT CYT YCT YT YCT GYT CYT CYT CYT YCT CYT YCT YCT CWT GWT WCT WCT WGT WGT WYT YT CWT WGT WCT WYT WYT WCT WYT WYT CWT W-CYT WCT W WYT WYT WYT WYT CT WCT WCT WCT WYT WYT WYT C WCT WCT WCT W WYT WYT W 100 100 100 90 100 100 90 100 100 100 100 100 85 100 100 100 90 100 100 100 95 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 90 100 100 100 100 100 100 95 95 100 100 20 20 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION APPENDIX TABLE 4. MATURITY INDICES OF FIVE NON-SPUR RED DELICIOUS APPLE STRAINS ON MM1O6 ROOTSTOCK, 1974 Sample date Firmness, lb./sq. in. Pet, soluble solids Fruit dia., in. Pet, red color (bluh (blush) Ground color Flesh color Pet, seed color 8-5........ 8-12 ...... 8-16...... 8-19...... 8-23...... 8-9 ....... 15.8 15.0 14.6 14.9 15.7 15.8 15.1 .14.9 13.8 16.6 16.7 14.8 16.3 15.8 14.2 15.9 15.7 15.5 14.8 17.8 11.3 12.2 12.2 12.5 12.4 12.2 13.1 13.4 13.2 13.4 13.4 13.4 12.6 12.8 12.8 12.5 13.1 13.5 13.9 13.4 8-5....... 8-9....... 8-12...... 8-16...... 8-19...... 8-23 ...... 8-5 ....... 8-9....... 8-12...... 8-16...... 8-19... 8-23 ... 8-5......... 9........ 8-12... 8-16... 8-19... 8-23... 8- Top Red 2.58 2.94 2.78 2.97 2.90 2.89 Vance 2.86 2.80 2.71 2.78 2.96 2.90 Red Prince 2.88 2.69 2.82 2.94 2.97 2.90 Red King 2.86 2.89 34 47 51 66 61 71 18 39 45 53 64 69 13 14 27 33 39 63 26 47 CYT YCT WCT WYT 58 52 YGT YCT YCT YCT GYT GYT YCT YCT YCT YGT C CYT YGT YCT YCT YCT CYT YGT WGT WCT WYT WYT WGT WCT WCT WYT WYT WYT WCT WGT WCT WGT WYT WYT WCT WCT 58 59 62 65 60 58 62 71 63 61 59 61 58 62 66 63 60 59 13.8 15.7 16.5 13.7 15.9 17.6 13.7 13.0 13.1 13.2 12.7 12.4 8-5......... 3.00 2.87 2.80 2.92 Red Queen 2.85 2.95 53 81 65 59 9 18 YGT YGT YCT YCT C GYT WCT WYT WYT WYT WCT WGT1 62 72 64 66 61 60 8- 9........ 8-12... 8-16... 8-19... 8-23... 14.8 16.5 17.0 15.1 13.2 13.5 11.9 13.2 2.91 2.99 2.96 2.93 8 17 17 49 CYT GYT GYT YCT WGT WYT WYT WYT 63 59 60 61 EVALUATION OF FIVE NON-SPUR STRAINS 21 EVALUATION OF FIVE NON-SPUR STRAINS APPENDIX TABLE 5. MATURITY INDICES OF FIVE NON-SPUR RED DELICIOUS APPLE 2 STRAINS ON MM 106 ROOTSTOCK, 1975 Sample date Firmness, lb./sq. in. Pct. soluble solids Fruit dia., in. Pct. red color Blush Total Ground color Flesh color Pet, seed color 8-5.......16.7 8-8.......16.0 8-11..... 16.2 8-15..... 15.3 8-18..... 16.5 8-22..... 15.3 8-25..... 15.5 8-29..... 15.1 8-5.......17.8 8-8.......18.1 8-11..... 17.9 8-15..... 18.1 8-18..... 18.7 8-22..... 17.5 8-25..... 16.0 8-29..... 16.5 8-5....... 9.9 9.6 10.1 11.1 10.9 11.0 11.1 11.5 11.9 2.95 3.05 3.01 3.00 2.99 3.05 2.99 2.98 2.72 2.65 2.82 2.93 2.78 2.85 2.96 2.96 2.83 2.94 2.82 3.01 3.04 2.79 3.07 3.16 2.76 2.75 2.77 2.88 2.86 3.05 2.89 2.91 2.78 2.90 2.90 2.88 2.93 2.99 2.89 3.10 11.7 11.3 11.3 11.8 12.3 13.0 13.0 11.4 11.3 8-8....... 8-11..... 8-15..... 8-18..... 8-22..... 825 8-29... 18.1 17.9 17.0 17.3 16.9 16.9 14.7 15.0 16.9 16.5 16.8 16.6 16.3 15.8 17.0 16.3 16.6 16.7 16.4 17.2 17.5 16.6 15.9 15.8 11.0 11.2 11.8 12.6 12.9 11.9 10.0 10.3 10.5 11.3 11.1 11.0 11.8 10.9 10.1 10.1 10.9 10.5 10.5 10.3 11.3 10.9 8-5....... 8-8....... 8-11... 8-15... 8-18... 8-22... 8-25... 8-29... 8-5....... 8-8....... 8-11... 8-15... 8-18... 8-22... 8-25... 8-29... - -- -- - Top Red 54 65 63 73 63 82 75 78 Vance 53 43 48 48 56 55 54 54 Red Prince 23 23 32 45 46 54 62 63 Red King 37 33 38 38 43 53 53 54 Red Queen 19 16 32 26 28 36 51 46 94 94 92 98 96 98 98 100 81 85 85 88 82 94 91 88 78 83 91 90 94 90 98 97 93 88 90 94 92 95 97 96 83 82 79 92 87 92 95 94 GYT GYT GYT YCT YGT Y Y Y GYT CYT CYT YGT YCT Y Y Y GYT GYT GYT YGT Y Y Y Y CYT GYT GYT YGT YGT YCT Y Y GYT CYT GYT GYT GYT YGT Y Y WYT WYT WYT WYT WYT Y Y Y WGT WYT WYT WYT WYT Y Y Y WGT WYT WYT Y Y Y Y Y WYT WYT WYT WYT WYT Y Y Y WCT WGT WYT WYT WYT Y Y Y 90 100 99 98 100 100 100 100 89 95 94 93 97 100 100 100 95 100 100 96 100 100 100 100 90 90 100. 98 98 100 100 100 87 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 I I I I I -- -- 22 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION APPENDIX TABLE 6. MATURITY INDICES OF FIVE NON-SPUR RED DELICIOUS APPLE STRAINS ON MM106 ROOTSTOCK, 1976 Sample date Firmness, lb./sq. in. Pet. soluble solids Fruit dia., in. Pct. red color Blush Total Ground color Flesh color Pct. seed color 8-9 ...... 8-13..... 8-16..... 8-20..... 8-9 ...... 8-13..... 8-16..... 8-20..... 8-9...... 8-13..... 8-16..... 8-20..... 8-9 ...... 8-13..... 8-16..... 8-20..... 8-9 ...... 8-13..... 8-16..... 8-20..... 16.3 16.8 16.8 16.1 17.5 16.7 16.8 17.2 16.3 16.1 17.3 17.8 17.8 14.5 16.4 17.1 17.4 15.6 16.2 16.1 10.50 11.10 10.60 12.00 13.10 11.70 14.00 14.30 12.50 11.90 13.00 13.70 12.60 12.60 12.20 12.70 11.10 11.40 11.80 12.70 2.94 2.98 2.91 2.91 3.00 3.11 2.98 2.96 2.98 3.13 2.89 2.90 2.89 3.22 2.98 2.94 2.88 2.98 2.97 2.91 Top Red 69 61 80 86 Vance 64 63 69 74 Red Prince 31 39 48 54 Red King 32 38 47 53 Red Queen 18 40 46 55 98 94 98 100 94 98 94 97 86 91 93 94 85 90 90 94 88 94 96 96 GYT GYT YGT YGT YGT YGT YGT Y GYT YGT YGT Y YGT Y Y-YGT YGT GYT GYT YGT Y WGT WYT WYT WYT WGT WYT WYT-Y Y WGT WYT WYT Y WGT-WYT Y Y WYT-WGT WGT WYT WYT Y 80 83 93 97 81 88 94 86 67 -93 88 -- 98 97 74 96 97 88 85 EVALUATION OF FIVE NON-SPUR STRAINS 23 EVALUATION OF FIVE NON-SPUR STRAINS APPENDIX TABLE 7. MATURITY INDICES OF FIVE NON-SPUR RED DELICIOUS APPLE STRAINS ON MM1O6 ROOTSTOCK, 1977 Sample date Firmness, lb./sq. in. Pet. soluble solids Fruit dia., in. Pct. red color Blush Total Ground color Flesh color 2 Pct. seed color 8-5.......20.3 8-8.......20.4 20.9 8-12.... 8-15.... 0.4 8-19.... 9.2 8-22.... 9.6 13.4 13.4 13.7 13.2 13.9 13.0 14.3 14.7 14.7 14.5 13.1 13.5 12.6 14.3 14.4 15.5 15.6 16.6 16.4 15.2 15.5 15.3 15.2 14.9 12.5 13.5 14.1 14.6 15.5 I. I 2.73 2.79 2.70 2.80 2.80 2.70 2.53 2.79 2.80 2.60 2.80 2.80 2.57 2.73 2.80 2.80 2.90 2.80 2.56 2.62 2.80 2.90 2.70 2.71 2.75 2.81 2.90 2.90 3.20 2.90 /. II 8-5.......18.3 8-8.......16.6 8-12.... 18.9 8-15.... 18.4 8-19.... 5.0 8-22.... 15.5 8-5.......19.3 8-8.......15.9 8-12.... 18.3 8-15.... 7.4 8-19.... 17.7 8-22 ... 17.5 8-5 ........ 8-8 ........ 8-12 . 8-15.... 8-19.... 8-22.. 23.3 21.0 19.7 17.2 16.7 15.3 19.8 19.0 8-5 ........ 8-8 ........ 8-12.... 8-15 ... 8-19 ... 8-22 ... rl--l1 19.8 16.8 15.1 15.3 Irr Top Red 44 60 55 78 69 58 Vance 28 25 31 30 41 41 Red Prince 25 26 23 52 56 57 Red King 29 36 38 69 53 52 Red Queen 29 27 37 45 42 51 . 77 87 88 96 94 87 51 58 61 58 70 67 67 71 70 82 83 86 79 81 74 82 88 90 80 65 82 89 90 89 ~.-\ YGT GYT CYT YGT CYT YGT GYT GYT YGT YGT YGT Y CYT YGT CYT YGT Y Y GYT YGT YGT GYT Y Y CYT GYT Y Y Y Y WYT WYT WYT WYT WYT WYT WGT WYT WYT WYT Y Y WYT WYT WYT Y Y Y WYT Y Y Y Y Y WYT WYT Y Y Y Y 93 95 99 95 94 94 96 97 97 97 100 99 92 91 100 98 100 100 96 99 99 100 98 100 95 98 95 98 100 100 24 24 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION APPENDIX TABLE 8. MATURITY INDICES OF FIVE NON-SPUR RED DELICIOUS APPLE STRAINS ON MM1O6 ROOTSTOCK, 1978 Sample date Firmness, Pet. soluble Fruit size lb./sq. in. solids Dia., in. Length, in. L/D ratio Pet. red color Blush Total Ground color Flesh color Pct. seed color 8-10... 8-11... 8-14 ... 8-18... 8-21 ... 8-25... 8-10 8-11 8-14 8-18 8-21 8-25 ... ... ... ... ... ... 18.1 15.7 15.3 13.4 13.5 13.9 16.9 17.2 16.5 14.5 14.5 14.5 18.0 11 15.3 15.6 15.6 16.4 15.4 16.1 15.4 15.0 15.0 16.2 16.2 16.8 14.8 15.0 15.0 14.8 15.4 17.2 15.3 16.4 15.4 15.6 16.0 15.9 15.2 16.4 16.0 16.0 15.6 15.5 i? II 2.63 2.78 2.76 2.88 2.90 2.85 2.65 2.75 2.70 2.84 2.90 2.75 2.60 2.69 2.78 2.90 2.95 3.03 2.71 2.93 2.76 2.75 2.93 2.95 2.78 2.83 2.80 2.93 2.87 3.00 I u? 8-10 ... 8-11 ... 8-14 ... 8-18... 8-25 ... 14.8 14.3 11.4 18.2 16.8 15.9 13.3 12.7 13.4 17.8 15.6 14.6 12.2 13.2 13.1 II I 8-10 ... 811 ... 8-14 ... 8-18 ... 8-21 ... 825 ... 8-10 ... 8-11 ... 8-14 ... 8-18 ... 8-21 ... 825 ... rr II Top Red 0.89 .94 .90 .90 .91 .92 Vance 2.39 .90 2.48 .90 2.48 .92 .89 2.54 2.68 .92 2.70 .98 Red Prince 2.39 .92 2.43 .90 2.58 .93 2.65 .91 2.65 .90 .90 2.74 Red King .90 2.45 2.69 .92 .90 2.48 2.44 .89 2.69 .92 2.68 .91 Red Queen 2.59 .93 2.54 .90 2.56 .91 2.60 .89 2.66 .92 .93 2.78 I ~? ui I 2.35 2.61 2.49 2.59 2.65 2.63 47 44 51 50 60 61 34 44 42 48 67 64 32 36 46 45 47 68 73 74 87 63 69 63 30 13 25 32 34 43 II 77 87 99 82 87 91 64 72 78 88 91 86 68 67 76 74 80 92 97 94 98 97 91 91 76 74 71 73 73 79 GYT GYT GYT GYT YGT YGT GYT GYT GYT YGT YGT YGT GYT YGT YGT Y Y GYT GYT GYT YGT YGT YGT GYT GYT GYT GYT GYT YGT WYT WYT WYT WYT WYT Y WYT WYT WYT WYT Y Y WYT WYT WYT Y Y WYT WYT WYT WYT WYT Y WYT WYT WYT WYT WYT Y 100 97 100 95 100 100 100 100 90 100 100 98 91 90 90 100 100 100 94 100 100 100 100 100 96 100 100 100 100 100 EVALUATION OF FIVE NON-SPUR STRAINS 25 APPENDIX TABLE 9. MATURITY INDICES OF FIVE NON-SPUR RED DELICIOUS APPLE STRAINS ON MM106 ROOTSTOCK, 1979 Sample date Firmness, Pct. soluble Fruit size lb./sq. in. solids Dia., in. Length, in. L/D ratio Pct. red color Blush Total Ground color Flesh color Pet. seed color 8-10 8-13 8-17 8-20 8-24 8-10 8-13 8-17 8-20 8-24 8-10 8-13 8-17 8-20 8-24 8-10 8-13 8-17 8-20 8-24 8-10 8-13 8-17 8-20 8-24 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 15.6 16.9 14.8 15.7 14.8 16.0 16.4 15.1 15.5 15.7 16.0 16.6 15.7 16.3 16.2 16.3 15.2 15.2 16.1 15.4 15.5 15.2 15.6 14.8 15.3 12.0 12.2 11.2 11.8 12.1 12.2 11.6 11.5 11.7 12.1 11.8 12.0 11.6 12.2 12.6 11.1 11.7 11.8 12.0 12.3 11.2 11.4 11.3 11.6 11.8 2.80 2.82 2.85 2.82 2.95 2.75 2.71 2.98 2.83 2.80 2.68 2.75 2.83 2.79 2.73 2.70 2.81 2.90 2.79 2.78 2.75 2.85 2.96 2.95 2.83 Top Red 0.84 .88 .88 .85 .88 Vance 2.40 .87 2.40 .89 2.62 .88 2.50 .88 2.53 .90 Red Prince 2.40 .90 2.45 .89 2.48 .88 2.49 .89 2.50 .92 Red King 2.45 .91 2.43 .87 2.56 .88 2.48 .89 2.45 .88 Red Queen 2.35 .86 2.48 .87 2.64 .89 2.63 .89 2.40 .85 2.35 2.48 2.50 2.40 2.60 70 88 83 94 93 34 43 55 50 59 40 44 45 49 54 43 55 63 60 63 36 44 39 40 54 94 99 97 100 100 68 74 78 73 86 75 82 84 81 87 81 93 87 88 97 78 75 69 78 89 YGT Y YGT Y Y GYT YGT YGT YGT YGT GYT GYT GYT YGT Y GYT YGT YGT YGT Y GYT GYT GYT YGT YGT WYT WYT WYT Y Y WGT WYT WYT WYT WYT WYT WYT WYT WYT WYT WYT WYT WYT WYT WYT WYT WYT WYT WYT WYT 95 100 100 100 100 89 100 97 90 100 99 90 90 100 100 99 100 100 100 100 96 90 99 90 96 26 26 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION APPENDIX TABLE 10. MATURITY INDICES OF FIVE NON-SPUR RED DELICIOUS APPLE STRAINS ON MM 106 ROOTSTOCK, 1980 Sample date Firmness, Pct. soluble Fruit size solids Dia., in. Length, in. lb./sq. in. L/D ratio Pct. red color Blush Total Ground color Flesh color Pct. seed color 8-15 8-18 8-22 8-25 ... ... ... ... 8-29... 9-1.... 9-5 .... 22.6 20.4 18.0 17.5 22.0 20.6 19.3 14.9 15.6 15.8 15.8 16.1 16.1 16.1 14.0 14.5 14.7 15.4 15.1 15.9 15.5 14.0 15.2 14.9 15.7 14.5 15.9 16.0 2.54 2.34 2.61 2.61 2.57 2.51 2.56 2.51 2.43 2.63 2.64 2.63 2.71 2.66 2.42 2.44 2.70 2.64 2.52 2.59 2.60 2.34 2.15 2.36 2.38 2.32 2.26 2.33 8-15... 8-18 ... 8-22 ... 8-25 ... 8-29 ... 91.... 9-5 .... 23.7 19.0 17.8 19.2 21.3 19.3 19.2 815 ... 8-18 ... 8-22 ... 825 ... 8-29 ... 9-1 .... 23.9 21.6 18.1 18.7 18.4 19.7 95.... 19.4 -~-- -~-- Top Red 0.92 .91 .90 .91 .90 .90 .91 Vanice 2.60 .92 2.27 .93 2.48 .94 2.45 .93 2.43 .91 2.45 .91 2.55 .96 Red Prince .91 2.20 2.24 .91 2.47 .91 2.41 .91 2.36 .93 2.37 .91 2.41 .93 12 27 38 51 34 27 24 7 7 16 25 37 26 29 11 14 16 26 20 18 20 62 65 63 68 66 58 60 36 36 54 64 48 57 55 49 66 60 63 66 52 52 GYT GYT GYT GYT YGT YGT YGT GYT GYT CYT YGT YGT YGT Y GYT CYT GYT CYT YGT YGT YGT WGT WGT WGT WGT WYT WYT WYT WGT WGT WYT WYT WYT Y Y WGT WCT WGT WGT WYT WYT WYT 71 80 91 91 90 89 96 77 87 87 93 94 99 99 89 88 89 93 92 93 93 -- EVALUATION OF FIVE NON-SPUR STRAINS 27 EVALUATION OF FIVE NON-SPUR STRAINS APPENDIX TABLE 11. MATURITY INDICES OF FIVE NON-SPUR RED DELICIOUS APPLE STRAINS ON M M1O6 ROOTSTOCK, 1981 Sample date Fruit size Firmness, Pet. soluble solids Dia., in. Length, in. lb./sq. in. L/D ratio Pet, red color Total Blush Ground color Flesh color 2 Pet. seed color 8-10... 8-14 ... 8-17 ... 8-21... 8-24 ... 8-28... 8-10 ... 15.9 17.8 15.9 17.2 16.1 17.1 15.4 17.5 15.7 17.3 16.7 17.1 17.2 18.2 15.8 18.0 17.6 17.0 17.0 17.7 15.6 17.9 17.7 15.9 17.9 15.6 16.5 16.7 12.7 16.1 13.7 13.4 13.9 12.4 12.5 13.0 13.7 12.9 14.2 11.2 11.4 12.5 12.9 12.5 14.3 11.1 12.3 13.3 12.0 14.4 13.4 11.0 10.4 15.0 15.1 14.0 14.2 12.4 13.2 13.2 II1 1 2.65 2.69 2.70 2.62 2.60 2.58 2.78 2.72 2.82 2.81 2.75 2.79 2.60 2.52 2.68 2.74 2.71 2.58 2.85 2.83 2.90 2.81 2.87 2.87 2.84 2.91 2.78 2.75 2.85 2.75 LI Il 2.40 2.36 2.41 2.38 2.33 2.31 2.51 2.46 2.55 2.52 2.46 8-14... 8-17 ... 8-21... 8-24 ... 8-28 ... 8-10 ... 8-14 ... 8-17 ... 2.50 Top Red 0.91 .88 .89 .91 .90 .90 Vance .90 .90 .90 .90 .90 .90 52 55 56 62 61 71 28 32 31 50 55 55 75 80 80 86 86 92 49 59 58 75 81 79 43 YGT YGT YGT YGT YGT Y GYT CYT YGT YGT YGT Y GYT YGT YGT YGT YGT Y GYT GYT YGT YGT YGT Y CYT GYT CYT YGT YGT Y WYT WYT WYT WYT WYT YWT WYT WYT YWT YWT YWT Y WYT WYT WYT WYT YWT Y WYT WYT WYT YWT YWT Y WYT WYT WYT WYT YWT Y 95 91 97 94 99 98 94 94 95 96 99 99 95 94 97 99 97 97 100 100 100 95 100 100 *90 100 90 99 100 100 8-21... 8-24 ... 8-28 ... 810 ... 8-14 ... 817 ... 821 ... 8-24 ... 8-28 ... 8-10 8-14 8-17 8-21 8-24 8-28 II r ~ ... ... ... ... ... ... Red Prince 2.35 .90 2.34 .93 2.39 .89 2.43 .89 2.41 .89 2.35 .91 Red King 2.68 .94 .95 2.70 2.75 .95 .93 2.61 .90 2.60 2.67 .93 Red Queen .95 2.70 2.78 .96 .96 2.68 2.61 .95 2.60 .94 2.59 .94 LInl ull 20 27 28 34 36 33 42 35 28 46 62 70 13 21 18 38 50 53 ~_ 58 53 65 70 72 73 69 68 83 93 91 33 65 59 78 74 79 APPENDIX TABLE 12. MATURITY INDICES ON FIVE NON-SPUR RED DELICIOUS .. APLE STRAiNS ON MM106 ROOTSTOCK, 1982 Sample date Firmness, Pet. soluble Fruit size lb./sqiAn. solids Diai, L . eng h: in. L/D ratio Pet. red color Ground color Flesh color Pet. seed color 8-13 ... 8-16 ... 8-20 ... 8-13 ... 8-16 ... 8-20 ... 8-13 ... 8-16 ... 8-20 ... 8-13 ... 8-16 ... 8-20 ... 8-13 ... 8-16 ... 8-20 ... 14.2 13.9 14.0 15.1 14.7 15.1 14.6 14.6 15.4 13.9 14.7 15.0 13.1 11.3 11.3 12:2" 13.2 13.1 12.3 12.0 12.9 12.0 12.4 12.9 11.5 13.2 12.3 12.0 13.6 13.5 2.98 3.05 2.99 2.75 2.76 2.75 2.91 2.85 2.98 2.78 2.83 2.98 2.91 3.01 3.02 Top Red 0.97 .92 .92 Vance 2.55 .93 2.60 .94 2.55 .93 Red Prince 2.75 .95 2.74 .96 2.79 .94 Red King 2.64 .95 2.60 .92 2.78 .93 Red Queen 2.78 .95 2.73 .91 2.75 .91 2.88 2.80 2.75 84 88 88 40 30 42 44 40 51 60 63 67 49 41 48 94 100 100 62 56 75 61 86 97 90 99 100 80 77 80 YGT YGT YGT YGT YGT YGT YGT YGT YGT YGT YGT YGT YGT YGT YGT WYT WYT WYT WYT WYT YWT WYT YWT YWT WYT WYT YWT WYT WYT YWT 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100