Friday, November 20, 2009
Bites / News An Apple for Several Seasons
Posted by Nicki Wood on Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 8:04 AM
Apple researchers in Australia have found a way to extend the lives of apples with a gene that combats the black spot fungus.
The result of work by Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries is RS103-130, an apple variety that lasts for two weeks. Which I found a little confusing, since you can still find Washington apples in the supermarket until summer.
The test apple, though, can be picked ripe, unlike most varieties, which are picked slightly underripe and stashed to ripen. This yields a better flavor and texture quality.
Observers find lots of other promise in the variety, which is the result of conventional cross-breeding of fruit strains. Besides a longer freshness life, the new apple stores well and is disease resistant. It can save growers money that would be spent on sprays and cold storage, so it has a "greener" footprint. And it tastes good, besting four other varieties in a test.
First it needs a new name. Read more about it, here and suggest a name.
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