WSU researchers introducing new apple to farmers

A new apple under development at Washington State University could compete for the hearts and palates of fruit lovers in a few years. It's burgundy red and juicy, and compares favourably with the popular Honeycrisp variety, with the same kind of crispy crunch. It doesn't have a name yet. Researchers simply call it "WA 38." But in taste tests conducted by the university, some consumers prefer it to a Honeycrisp apple.

WA 38 has a nice sugar and acid balance, researchers say. It's very sweet, but with a "good kind of punch of tartness," and gets its texture from Honeycrisp. "It's a really good eating apple, very crisp and juicy," said Kate Evans, a pome fruit breeder at the university.

Mid-Columbia farmers should love it too, because it's specially bred for Eastern Washington's growing conditions. WSU is getting ready to distribute the first trees to farmers, and consumers should see some fruit available by 2019 and 2020, Evans said.

The university cross-bred the new apple in 1997. Researchers have been working ever since to select and test it in Eastern Washington's commercial growing areas and make sure it is a match for what consumers want, Evans said. Its appearance comes from Enterprise, an apple bred in Illinois to be resistant to diseases, Evans said. "(WA 38) just stands out in terms of its eating quality and our experience in growing it in different areas in the state," Evans said. "It performs really well."

Jim McFerson, Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission manager, compared the apple's pending release to the birth of a first child. It will be the first apple from WSU's apple breeding program that he expects to see marketed. And that justifies the investment growers have made in the program over the past 15 years, he said. "We feel like we've got to compete what is the best in the marketplace," McFerson said. "Honeycrisp is that apple right now."

A grower's delight
The WA 38 tree is easier to grow than the Honeycrisp, seems to thrive with Eastern Washington's long days, gets very little sunburn and needs less spraying, McFerson said. In comparison, Honeycrisp trees are susceptible to many disease and nutrient disorders, as well as sunburns, he said.

The WA 38 apple also stores well, which is important since Washington apple growers aim to provide fruit for all 12 months of the year, Evans said. They've stored the apples for about 10 months as part of their tests.

The apple maintains a good level of firmness, remaining firm even if it was cut the day before, she said. It's also very slow to brown. That means consumers should be able to buy the apple at any point within the year and get a very similar taste, Evans said. That's an advantage, since Honeycrisp apples can be less flavoursome during particular times of the year.

Source: thenewstribune.com