Recently, the University of Minnesota presented the latest offspring of the world-famous Honeycrisp. However, the question remains whether these apples will fare well in the new, higher temperatures?
In the mid-19th century, Minnesotans brought apple trees from out east. But these varieties couldn't survive the famously harsh winters. When one apple tree did survive near Lake Minnetonka, an experimental station was set up. In the 1970s, the Honeycrisp, a varietal developed in the university orchard a few miles southwest of Lake Minnetonka, ushered in a new, scrumptious age of apple crispness. Now, apple breeders are tasked with solving a more serious crucible: an increasingly hot and dry climate. Currently, 82% of the state is affected by drought, as the high summer temperatures spilled into fall.
This fall, the university announced the arrival of its 29th variety, named Kudos. Nurseries first received Kudos for propagation last year, meaning its apples won't be ready for picking until later this decade. Drought resistance is just one of 20 factors to judge an apple and it is not yet among the top considerations for breeders.
Source: startribune.com
