Fruit characteristics of some apple cultivars and their clones

Abstract

Apple is one of the most cultivated fruit trees in the world. Consumers value high quality fruit, with desirable morphological characteristics, good aroma and taste. Given the popularity of red apple fruits, the need for its cultivation is growing. The aim of this research was to analyze the qualitative characteristics of 4 commercial apple cultivars (‘Gala’, ‘Red Delicous’, ‘Jonagold’ and ‘Golden Delicous’) and their clones (‘Schnico Red Gala’, ‘Scarlet Spur’, ‘Wilton’s’, ‘Red Jonaprince’ and ‘Reinders’). Research was carried out on the Radmilovac Experimental Site in a two-year period (2021 and 2022). The following morphological parameters were monitored: weight, height and width of the fruit, index of the fruit, length of the stalk, firmness of the fruit and coloration of the fruit. Also, biochemical parameters were measured: content of soluble solids, total titratable acidity and flavour index. Sensory analysis was performed by scoring fruit attractiveness, taste and aroma. Clones had higher degree of attractiveness due to intense red colour (‘Schnico Red Gala’, ‘Scarlet Spur’, ‘Wilton’s Red Jonaprince’) or reduction of rustiness (‘Reinders’), in comparison to commercial varieties.In some clones (‘Wilton’s Red Jonaprince’ and ‘Scarlet Spur’) fruit size was decreased in comparison to parent cultivar. ‘Wilton’s Red Jonaprince’ had the best parameters of biochemical quality –highest soluble solids, titratable acidity and flavor index among all analyzed genotypes. The decrease of quality (soluble solids, acidity and flavor index) is noticed in the clones ‘Scarlet Spur’ and ‘Reinders’. ‘Schnico Red Gala’ showed the highest increase of sensory properties in comparison to original cultivar (‘Gala’). Clone ‘Wilton’s Red Jonaprince’ showed the best overall biochemical quality and sensory traits in comparison to all analyzed genotypes.