AP504 Apple variety study tour of Japan and South Korea

Transcription

AP504
Apple variety study tour of Japan and
South Korea
Predo Jotic
Tasmanian Department of Primary
Industries and Fisheries
AP504
This report is published by the Horticultural Research and
Development Corporation to pass on information
concerning horticultural research and development
undertaken for the apple & pear industry.
The research contained in this report was funded by the
Horticultural Research and Development Corporation with
the financial support of the Apple & Pear Growers
Association.
All expressions of opinion are not to be regarded as
expressing the opinion of the Horticultural Research and
Development Corporation or any authority of the
Australian Government.
The Corporation and the Australian Government accept
no responsibility for any of the opinions or the accuracy
of the information contained in this Report and readers
should rely upon their own inquiries in making decisions
concerning their own interests.
Cover Price $20.00
HRDC ISBN 1 86423 429 6
Published and Distributed by:
Horticultural Research and Development Corporation
Level 6
7 Merriwa Street
Gordon NSW 2072
Telephone:
Fax:
(02) 9418 2200
(02) 9418 1352
© Copyright 1996
APPLE VARIETY DEVELOPMENTS
IN JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA
STUDY TOUR REPORT
lYedo Jotic, Senior Horticulturist (Pome Fruifc)
Department of Frimary Industry and Fisheries, Xasnuvrud!
Funded by HortJcuUnreil Research and Develc^ment Carpprafebn
-
Uiiki-
h
Mif
J Am 1996
:in^
STUDY TOUR REPORT
October - November 1995
APPLE VARIETY DEVELOPMENTS
Predo Jotic, Senior Horticulturist (Pome Fruits)
Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, Tasmania
Funded by Horticultural Research and Development
Corporation
PROJECT TITLE:
Apple Variety Study Tour of Japan and South Korea
PROJECT NO:
AP504
RESEARCH ORGANISATION:
Tasmanian Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries
SUPERVISOR'S NAME, ADDRESS AND CONTACT DETAILS:
Predo Jotic, Senior Horticulturist (Pome Fruits)
Grove Research Station
RSD 2048, Pages Road
Huonville 7109, Tasmania
Phone: 002 664305, Fax: 002 664518
A FINAL REPORT PREPARED FOR
HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION
CONTENTS
1.
Report Summary
1.1
Objectives
1.2
Findings
1.3
Outcomes
1.4
Recommendations
2. Introduction
2.1
Acknowledgements
3. Korean Fruit Industry
3.1
Introduction
3.2
Breeding Program
3.3
Current Releases
4. Japanese Fruit Industry
4.1
Introduction
4.2
General Aspects of the Industry
4.3
Variety Structure
4.4
Variety Breeding and Improvement
5. Nagano Fruit Tree Experiment Station
5.1
Current Releases
6. Gunma Agricultural Research Centre
6.1
Promising Variety Releases
6.2
Future Breeding Program
7. Fukushima Fruit Tree Experiment Station
7.1
Current Releases
7.2
Variety Testing
7.3
Current and Future Breeding Program
7.4
Rootstock Testing
8. Morioka Fruit Tree Experiment Station
8.1
Variety Releases
8.2
Promising New Selections
8.3
Rootstock Breeding and Testing Program - Morioka Series
9. Aomori Apple Experiment Station
9.1
Variety Releases
9.2
9.3
Rootstock Breeding Program
9.4
10. Aomori Region - Apple Industry Profile
10.1
Hirosaki University - Faculty of Agriculture
11. Fuji Apple and its Selections in Japan
11.1
Overview of Red Fuji Selections in Japan
12. Other Japanese Varieties
1
1
1
2
3
4
4
5
5
7
8
10
10
10
14
15
18
18
20
20
22
23
24
24
26
28
30
31
33
34
37
37
39
41
41
42
43
44
45
50
Appendix I - Itinerary and Contacts
53
Appendix n - Pictorial Presentation of some Varieties and Highlights in Japan
and South Korea
56
1. Report Summary
A study tour of the principal apple breeding research centres in Japan and South
Korea was undertaken in October and November 1995.
1.1
Objectives
•
•
•
•
Overview the new variety developments
Overview the latest Fuji selections
Establish contacts with the main apple breeding and improvement centres
Where possible arrange introductions of promising public cultivars
1.2
Findings
Both countries have very active apple breeding programs which are predominately
government funded. Official breeding is carried out by regional and federal research
organisations, private nurseries and private breeders. The principal focus is on fruit
quality but many centres have in place or are considering disease and pest resistance
in their current and future breeding projects.
South Korea has a very high input in fruit variety improvement. Quite a large effort
is dedicated to the up-grading of apple cultivars. The National Horticultural Research
Institute administered by Rural Development Administration based at Suwon has a
strong team of fruit breeders.
The apple breeding program produces 5 to 10 crosses per year. The main parents
used are Fuji, Golden Delicious and Jonathan. Disease resistance breeding is not part
of the current program, however there are plans for its implementation in the near
future. Plans are in place to initiate rootstock breeding based on disease resistance
over the next few years.
In Japan the main national apple breeding program is centred at Morioka Branch Fruit
Trees Research Station. In addition there are seven prefecture funded research
centres operating across the country. These are Nagano Fruit Tree Experiment
Station, Gunma Agricultural Research Centre, Fukushima Fruit Tree Experiment
Station, Akita Fruit Tree Experiment Station, Iwate Horticultural Experiment Station,
Aomori Apple Experiment Station and Hokkaido Agricultural Experiment Station.
Many fruit breeders and support staff are located at tbese centres. There are also a
number of private breeders who have made important variety contributions, for
example Ohrin, Kinsei, Akibae etc.
It can be claimed that the Japanese apple breeding program is the most active in the
world in its scale of operation, commitment by industry and the government, and the
results achieved. To date over three hundred varieties have been released from
Japanese breeding programs. These programs have aimed specifically at the Japanese
consimier preferences which demand large, sweet, fully matured fruit of good keeping
quality. Specific quality parameters are established in r^pect of acid and sugar
^)ple Variety Developments in Jân and South Korea
Page 1
content for new cultivars, for example it is desirable to have the optimum levels of
acid in the range of 0.3% to 0.5%, 0.45% is considered ideal. The sugar levels are
aimed at 15%. Fuji acid and sugar levels are 0.4% and 15% respectively.
Other aspects of variety breeding are also considered by a number of research centres.
These cover resistance to black spot, powdery mildew, Japanese apple rust, Altemaria
blotch, Vlasa canker, tree growth habit, early and late time of ripening.
Rootstock breeding is also covered by several institutes. The main emphasis is on
tree size, productivity, disease resistance and ease of propagation. The local seedling,
Maruba Kaido, is used in the parentage for the new wave of rootstocks now under
evaluation at Fukushima, Morioka and Aomori Research Centres.
Numerous early, mid and late season cultivars are emerging from the breeding
programs. Many of these are specifically breed for particular market slots, for
example early varieties for the "Full Moon" Buddhist festival. Apples are grown in a
wide range of growing conditions, therefore some centres are focusing on their
particular environmental and geographical requirements. Most of these cultivars are
tested nationally by growers as well as extension and research organisations.
Standard Fuji commands a very large slice of the apple production in Japan and
Korea. Due to a very high cost of production Japanese growers and nurseries are
searching for highly coloured striped selections. The aim is to develop strains which
do not need fruit bagging and other detailed colour management practices. In excess
of 100 red sports have been found in various prefectures. No firm recommendations
have been given in regard to suitability of Fuji strains for given apple producing
regions.
Some promising varieties evaluation during this study tour:
Korea - Hwahong and Hongro
Japan - Slim Red, Morioka 56, Aomori 6, Mellow, Kiou, Sansa, Akagi, Akibae.
Striped Fuji Selections - Abe, Kumagai, Saito, Aki-Fu 4, Aki-Fu 47, Rakuraku,
Royal.
Promising Jcpcmese Rootstocks - Maruba Kaido, Aomori 2, 3 and 9 and Morioka 2, 3
and?.
1.3
Outcomes
The main objectives of the tour have been achieved. The principal research centres
concerned with apple variety improvement were visited and important contacts
established for future collaboration.
The following varieties were introduced as a result of this tour:
•
•
•
Fuji Moriho-Fu 3 A
Fuji Gunma "Numata"
Iwa-Fu 10 "Kumagai"
Apple Variety Developments in J^)an and South Korea
•
•
•
•
Fuji Ao-Fu "Kuroishi"
Fuji Hirosaki "Saito"
Akibae
Maruba Kaido No 84A (Rootstock)
The material has been propagated in Plant Quarantine Station, Kingston and will be
available nationally at the end of Quarantine screening. Further introductions will be
carried out depending on the status of each cultivar. Some varieties will have to be
introduced under appropriate propagation agreements.
Fruit growers seminars have been held in South Australia and Tasmania. Further
seminars are dependent on the availability of future travel funds not allowed for in
this project.
Specific articles based on the information presented in this report will be included in
the Pome Fruit Bulletin, Tasmania; Pome Fruit Australia and or "Good Fruit and
Vegetables".
1.4
Recommendations
New variety introductions are an essential activity within the pome fruit variety
improvement. This should be viewed as an important and on-going program for the
Australian apple industry.
Both countries have a large number of promising cultivars which could be of interest
to Australia. These should be introduced for testing and development. Negotiations
should be put in place for importation of protected varieties.
Japan and South Korea have well organised and well funded successful breeding
programs. We must maintain continuous liaison with these covmtries in order to keep
up with the latest developments in this field.
Some special joint projects should be considered. Sansa, for example, is a result of a
successful joint project between Japan and New Zealand.
^>ple Variety Developmoits in Jân and South Korea
2. Introduction
The Australian apple industry has unsatisfactory variety mix to fully meet the
demands of new markets and to maintain competitiveness against the principal
southern hemisphere exporters.
Upgrading the variety mix is essential to address these issues.
Introduction, evaluation and adoption of new cultivars is seen as a very important
activity of the apple variety improvement program.
Japan has the most active apple breeding program in the world and judging by the past
performance, will have a significant effect on the adoption of new varieties,
particularly those destined for the Asian markets.
New varieties from Japan and Korea including the latest Red Fuji selections can
greatly assist the industry to maintain and increase the share of the Asian markets.
A study tour of Japan and South Korea was carried out in October to November 1995
to provide information on the most recent variety developments in the research and
commercial scene.
The main objectives of the tour were:
•
•
•
•
Overview the new variety developments
Overview the latest Fuji selections
Establish contacts with the main apple breeding and improvements centres
Where possible arrange introductions of promising public cultivars.
2.1
Acknowledgements
I wish to acknowledge with thanks thefinancialsupport generously made available by
the following organisations:
•
The Horticultural Research and Development Corporation
•
The Tasmanian Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries
Thanks are also due to my Japanese and Korean colleagues mentioned in the list of
main contacts (Appendix I) for their invaluable time and assistance in achieving the
principal study tour objectives.
Grenerous help by Hwang Jeong-Hwan, Shin Yong-Uk, Takanobu Nakamura, Hiroo
Koike, Mitsuru Horigome, Hiroshi Yamaga, Junichi Soejima, Takuro Kikuchi, Osamu
Arakawa, Takashi Sato and Kiyoaki Kimiatsu who made the study tour most
informative and enjoyable is greatly appreciated.
Apple Variety Developments in Jân and South Korea
3. Korean Fruit Industry
3.1
Introduction
The Korean peninsula extends southward from the eastern end of the Asian continent.
Korea is approximately 1 000 km long and 216 km wide at its narrowest point. It lies
between 33° and 43° north latitude, and 124° and 131° east longitude. The climate is
temperate and characterised by four distinct seasons. The main feature is the rainy season
which occurs between Jvme and September accoimting for 68% of the total annual rainfall
(1200-1500 mm). July is the wettest month. Wet sunmiers pose problems in relation to
fungal diseases on apples and otiier fruits. Autumn weather is usually stable, dry and clear
which contributes to orderly harvest and good fruit maturation and quaUty.
Apple cultivation in Korea dates back over 2000 years. The first apple cultivar
"Numgkeum" (Mains asiatica Nakai) was grown in Gaeseong, a former capital city.
There has been a marked increase in the Korean apple industry since the Korean War.
The area currently under apple cultivation is 52 098 ha (Table 1).
Table I - Fruit Production in South Korea, Cultivation Area in ha.
FRUITS
1990
Apple
Pear
Peach
Grape
Persimmon
Citrus
Plum
Others
TOTAL
1994
48 883
9058
12 333
14962
13581
19 287
3191
12 064
52 098
12 649
10166
19 773
22440
22233
2670
19488
1^309
161 517
The apple is the most dominant fruit crop followed by citrus, grape and persimmon.
Asian pears are also extensively grown in this country, as shown in the production
figures (Table 2). Commercial plantings consists mostiy of small holdings, 1 to 2 ha,
but some recent plantings exceed this area.
Table 2 - Fruit Production in South Korea - Production in m/t.
FRUITS
Apple
Pear
Peach
Gn^
Persimmon
Citrus
Rum
Others
TOTAL
1M0
628947
159335
114578
131324
95 758
492 676
25211
118419
1994
616 505
163729
114837
211930
167 471
548961
20 764
85413
1766 248
1929610
^q)le Variety Developments in Jiân and South Korea
The principal areas of apple production (m/t) are Kyongbuk (402 212), Chungnam
(84 731), Chungbuk (64 295), Kyonggi (22 588) and Kyongnam (20 291).
Regarding variety structure, Fuji is by far the most important apple cultivar in South
Korea, with over 75% of the total production area (Table 3). Tsugaru ranks second with
12% of the production area. Tsugaru and other early varieties are very important for the
"ChuseoK' festival (Korean Thanksgiving - Lunar holiday). The current breeding
programs are also focused on the "Chuseok" marketing period.
The standard Fuji strain accoimts for the entire Fuji production. Very detailed
management techniques are employed to achieve a high cosmetic quality required for
the domestic, and especially for export markets. Summer pruning, deleafing, fruit
rotation and reflective foil are common management practices in Fuji orchards.
These methods, combined with the use of bags, produce fruit with a very attractive
pink under colour and deep rep stripes required for export markets. Bagging is not a
common practice for domestic sal^. There is a perception that the standard strain
possess the highest eating quality and very few red selections have been planted
commercially.
Nursery production is of a low quality and there is no tree certification program in
place. Virus testing and heat therapy are conducted by the National Institute in
Suwon. Elisa is also used in the detection of important virus diseases such as Stem
pitting and Chlorotic leaf spot.
New varieties are usually released to the Nursery Association, which has 100 to 150
members. They carry out multiplication and distribution of propagating material to
orchardists. Orchardists usually use grafting wood for re-grafting so virus testing is
not as critical at this point in time. The whole system of nursery material quality
management is not fully organised at this stage.
Table 3 - Apple Variety Distribution
SEASON
Earty
Mid
Late
(yndsss/ffed
TOTAL
CULTIVAR
Tsugaru
Spur Earliblaze
Moilie's Delicious
Othos
Jonathai
Golden Delicious
S t ^ n g Delicious
Jonagold
Kogetsu
Others
Fuji
Ralls Janet
Indo
Muteu
Hakudo
1987
Area (ha)
2822
71
208
192
3067
884
509
352
235
850
22921
1209
469
466
11
34433
Afple Variety Develqiments in Jân and South Korea
%
1992
Area (ha)
8.2
0.2
0.6
0.6
8.9
2.6
1.5
1.0
0.7
2.5
5826
66.5
37767
3.5
1.3
1.3
0.1
100
169
71
249
284
2
19
407
318
1053
372
291
603
497
641
49143
%
12
0.1
0.8
0.6
2.1
0.7
0.6
1.2
1.0
1.3
77
0.3
0.1
0.5
0.6
0.1
100
Malus species seedlings (not common apple cultivar seedling stocks) are the most
common rootstocks used in commercial production particularly in older orchards.
Four Malus species have been used in South Korea, these are M sieboldii (Reg)
Rehd. M prumfolia Borkh. M baccata (L.) Borkh. and M pumila Mill. Maruba
Kaido {Malus prunifolia) is the predominant rootstock variety for wide spacings.
In recent years M26 MM106 and M9 are becoming popular for semi-intensive and
intensive plantings. M26 is the most used dwarfing stock. Some deep planted
interstems are also seen in newer plantings. Woolly aphis does not appear to be a
problem in Korea and Japan, therefore M26 can be successfully adapted in new
orchard developments.
A large proportion of Korean orchards are planted at low densities (150 to 200
trees/ha). Open, flat and wide tree forms are a common sight and these have been
modified over many years to suit the local conditions. These plantings are adapted to
un-favourable environmental conditions; poor soil, steep slopes and high winds. The
tree structure consists mostly of two or three primary scaffold limbs with two sublimbs on each. Fruit laterals are positioned on sub-limbs. Fruiting wood is usually
two to three metres away from the main trunk. This distance has a good influence on
the vigour of the main fruiting branches. These trees are very labour intensive and
although they are quite manageable in very small plantings, there is a move towards
semi-intensive low central leader tree forms in order to reduce the cost of
management and improve fruit quality. Semi-intensive Central Axis/M26 plantings
are seen in the main apple growing regions. Fruit colour and size appear quite
impressive in modem orchards.
No artificial fertilisers are used in orchard soil management. Most growers rely on an
organic mulch based on a mix of rice husk, saw dust and chicken and or pig manure.
3.2
Breeding Program
South Korea has a very high input infioiitvariety improvement. Quite a large effort
is dedicated to the up-grading of apple cultivars. The National Horticultural Research
Institute administered by Rural Development Administration (RDA) based at Suwon
has a strong team of fruit breeders.
The Institute of Korean Agricultural Sciences was established in 1948. In 1985 the
Institute was reorganised as the National Horticultural Institute and since then has
increased funding. The staff levels have increased to 286. This Institute has nine
divisions which include Fruit Breeding and Fruit Production.
The main Institute is located at Suwon City with four other centres the Taegu Apple
Research Institute, Naju Pear Research Institute, Cheju Citrus Research Institute and
Namhae Sub-Institute.
The Fruit Tree Breeding Division is headed by Dr Lee, Don-Kyun. There are four
sections dealing with the main tree crops and grapes with a full time breeder assigned
to each crop, these are:
Apple Variety Developments in Japan and South Korea
•
•
•
•
Apples - Dr Shin, Yong-Uk and Dr Hwang Jeong-Hwan
Pears - Dr Kim, Whee-Chun
Grapes - Dr Lee, Don-Kyun
Peaches - Dr Kang, Sang-Jo
The apple breeding program produce five to ten crosses per year. A total of 5000
seedlings are produced annually. The main parents used are Fuji, Golden Delicious
and Jonathan. Disease resistance breeding is not part of the current program, however
there are plans for its implementation in the near future. Plans are in place to initiate
rootstock breeding based on disease resistance over the next few years. Phytophthora
is the main soil borne disease in apple orchards. As stated earlier woolly aphis does
not cause too much concern for apple growers.
3.3
Current Release
The most promising apple varieties released from the Institute are Hwahong,
Gamhong, Chukwang and Hongro.
a)
Hwahong (Fuji x Sekaichi) = "Beautiful Red". The cross was made by Dr Shin
in 1981 and released in 1992.
Positive aspects compared with Fuji:
•
similar high fruit quality
•
more compact spur growth (semi-spur)
•
more productive
•
more intensive red colour
•
identical keeping quality and shelf life
•
harvest season Fuji plus seven days after honey core has developed
Negative aspects:
•
stem end russet
•
darker red than Fuji (pink is the preferred colour)
•
bitter pit
b)
Gamhong (Spur Earliblaze x Spur Golden Delicious) = "Sweet Red"
Positive aspects:
dark red colour develops without bags
stripe red and a better "pink" is achieved with bags
h i ^ sugar 17 to 18%
very large size
good storage - stores up to 60 days at room temperature
season - mid October
standard growth habit
Negative aspects:
•
some bitter pit and russet
Apple Variety Devel(q>ments in Js^mn and South Korea
c)
Chukwang (Fuji x Mollies Delicious) = "Autumn Light"
Positive aspects:
good size
bright red stripe
spur type
very good flavour for an early variety
harvest early September (for Chuseok)
stores up to 30 days at room temperature
Negative aspects:
•
soft texture but still acceptable
This variety compares well with Tsugaru which has problems with russet,
colour, fruit drop and poor yield.
d)
Hongro (Spur Earliblaze x Spur Golden Delicious) = "Red Dew"
Positive aspects:
very attractive, good red stripe
good flesh pressure
good keeping quality
good size
high sugar levels
spur growth habit
early season (most promising for Chuseok)
free of russet and cracking
The four cultivars are being evaluated at various research and extension centres
and in commercial orchards.
Apple Variety Develqjments in Japan and South Korea
4. Japanese Fruit Industry
4.1 Introduction
The main islands of the Japan archipelago are situated between 25° and 45° north
latitude and enjoy a mix of a mild maritime and temperate climate. Its geographic
location permits the growing of a wide range of fruits including apple, pear, peach,
grape, persimmon, citrus.
For many centuries the most important fiuit was persimmon which was used as the main
source of sugar. This may be the reason why Japanese treat fhut more as a table luxury
rather than as a staple food. Apples are a relatively recent addition to the Japanese fruit
industry. Apples were introduced by American missionaries after the Meiji Restoration in
1868 which reopened Japan to foreign trade. In 1871 seventy five cultivars were imported
from the United States including Ralls Janet. During the Meiji era (1868 - 1912)
further introductions were made. A total of 380 cultivars were sourced from the
United States, Europe and England. This was the beginning of a major fruit industry
in Japan. Today apples command a higher position in the overall fruit production
(Table 4). The industry ranks second in size to mandarins. After the initial rapid
expansion the area under apples has been gradually decreasing over the last 30 years.
Table 4 - Japcmese Fruit Production 1964 -1994
Major Fmit Crop
1964
Mandarin
Other citrus
Apple
Grape
Nashi Pear
Peach
Cheny
Loquat
Persimmon
Chestnut
Ume
Rum
Kiwi
Rneapple
TOTAL
4.2
AREA OF FRUIT PRODUCTION (HA)
1984
1994 (est)
4036
2230
72500
38000
51200
24500
21000
12 500
3680
2620
28200
33300
19400
4160
4440
1310
332700
391600
321700
101300
22100
65300
21700
20900
21000
1570
3090
37900
22600
10600
780
-
116400
50100
54300
28800
21100
15700
2590
2540
29700
42900
16500
3460
-
General Aspects of the Industry
The present commercial apple production is mostly located between latitudes 36° and
44° north (Table 5). The average rainfall in these regions is 1100 to 1400 mm and the
relative humidity averages 70 to 80%. The prefectures with significant areas of apple
production are Aomori (47.6%), Nagano (23%), Yamagata (8.2%), Iwate (6.6%),
Fukushima (5.5%) and Akita (4.2%).
A|q)le Variety Developmoats in Ispaa aiul South Korea
10
Table 5 - Climatic conditions in the major apple growing areas in Japan
Latitude
44*0rN
43'03'N
40'49'N
39"43'N
39»42'N
38*16'N
38*15'N
37'45'N
36'40'N
Area
Abashiri
Sapporo
Aomori
Akita
Morioka
Sendai
Yamagata
Fukushima
Nagano
Average
TempCC)
Jan
Aug
-7.0
-5.5
-2.7
-1.1
-3.0
19.5
21.7
22.3
24.2
23.1
24.9
24.4
25.0
24.6
1.7
-1.6
0.5
-1.6
Frost Free
Days
Precipitation (mm)
Annual
154
143
172
178
163
180
165
195
170
845
1136
1300
1780
1275
1178
1236
1155
1001
Apr-Sept
Avg. Relative
Humicfity (%)
Apr-Sept
492
544
610
944
809
812
622
738
637
82
77
80
81
77
77
74
75
74
The majority of orchards are small in size (1 to 2 ha) with very low densities of 150
to 200 trees/ha. These are predominantly very old orchards dating back to over 50
years and are trained to a flat open centre tree forms on Maruba Kaido (M pnmifolia
Willd) rootstock. The trees are usually up to 4m in height with wide canopy structure
which occupies very wide spacings (7 x 7 m or 8 x 8 m). The main tree framework
consists of 2 to 3 scaffold limbs and 2 sub-limbs on each. The fruiting laterals are
placed on sub-limbs well away from the trunk. The position of the fruiting wood
does assist in the overall balance between fruiting and tree growth. The combination
of Maruba Kaido rootstock and the given tree form is well adapted to the
environmental conditions of the principal apple growing regions, particularly Aomori,
Nagano and Iwate. The average yields in old style plantings are around 30 t/ha,
although better growers achieve up to 40 to 50t/ha.
Very strong typhoons, severe winters with deep snow, steep slopes and soil conditions
are not always suited to modem orcharding systems as seen in other countries. Over
many years the Japanê growers have managed to produce good results despite a
harsh environment. This requires a very high labour input and tenacity which
characterises an average Japanese orchardist.
Very detailed dormant and summer pruning including leaf removal, fruit positioning,
bagging, hand pollination and the use of reflective foil on the tree line are common
management practices employed in Japanese orchards. The removal of bags, deleafing
and harvest are timed appropriately for each cultivar (Table 6).
The haivesting technique is also unique to the Jânese style of managonent Fruit is
picked many times in order to extract the highest possible quality demanded by the
markets. In earher fruit maturing districts Nagano, Gunma and Fukushima, Fuji can be
select picked ovw a period of 30 days and that can sometime amounttosixtoten harvests.
In this case thefruitis picked when it is fully tree-mature and is delivered to the consumer
in perfect eating condition.
"Honeycore" Q^Stsu) is a special feature of this fruit which is in high demand by quality
conscious consumo^. Postharvest methods are very detailed and the crop is put through
many levels of sorting and value adding, hence we see mostly perfect fhiit products in
^ple Variety Developments in Jân and South Korea
11
Japanese retail outlets. It can be stated that this approach to fruit quality management is
only possible to implement in their industry and cannot be considered in the western
"ranch" style approach to fruit production.
Labour inputs are very high and can total over 3000 hours per ha, which includes 550 to
600 hours for the baggmg operation (Table 7). Families are the main source of labour
who are used to spending long hours in the orchard. The rising cost of production due to
this labour intensive approach and fast changing social structure of the Japanese rural
scene presents the biggest threat to their industry. Other job opportunities and a better
lifestyle do not attract young people to continue the family business which is based on
special values and hard working traditions, imchanged for centuries. However this does
not mean that the Japanese industry will not change and modernise. The government
assists this process by providing generous subsides for orchard up-grading and developing
modem fruit handling facilities. Most of the modem packing sheds are built by cooperatives.
Table 6 - Schedule of Pre-Harvest Colour Enhancing Operations - Aomori
Cultivar
August
25 30
5
10
September
15 20 25
30
5
10
October
15 20
25
30
5
November
10 15
Tsugaru
Senshu
Jonathan
Sekai-ichi
Del. Strains
Jonagold
Mutsu
Hokuto
Ohrin
Fuji
I Removing bags
Thinning leaves
Apple Variety Develqpmeats in Jân and South Korea
Picking
12
Table 7 - Labour (hr/ha) Required to Grow Apples (1988)
Orchard Management Operation
Fuji
Tsugaai
Pruning
Pollination & Thinning
Pest Control
Bagging and Debagging
Colour & Harvesting
Others
274
752
62
552
1176
2K
297
822
138
325
1 035
307
TOTAL
3068
2924
Reference: Ministry ofAgriculture cmd Fisheries, Japan.
At present the industry have a special combination of mostly classical-traditional style
orcharding and ultra-modem grading, packing and storage systems and perfect
presentation perfected by traders and shop keepers. In the near future we can expect
faster change in the orchard scene. New plantings are apparent in several apple
growing regions. "High density" orchards (1000 - 1600 trees/ha) on semi-dwarfing
and dwarfing stock are becoming more common particularly in Iwate and Nagano
Twenty two percent of Japanese orchards area is under high density plantings. The
most progressive prefectures are Iwate with 58% of orchards based on close planting
systems, followed by Nagano (31%) and Aomori (10%) (Table 8). The low
proportion of modem orchard developments in Aomori is due to harsh winters, heavy
show falls and a lack of suitable land. The majority of apple enterprises are located in
very hilly sites.
Table 8 -High Density Apple Orchards in Japan
PREFECTURE
Aomori
Nagano
Iwate
Yamagata
Akita
Fukushima
AREA (ha)
Tradtional
High Density
22672
7 761
1573
3260
2378
2089
2 628
3539
2 207
440
522
631
% of High Density Orchards
10.4
31.3
58.4
11.9
18.0
23.2
Reference: Aomori Prefectural Government
Of the dwarfing stocks M26 is most popular. The tree vigour can also be controlled
by use of M9 intCT-stems on Maruba Kaido understocks. Well trained centre leader
medium size hedgerows planted at 4 x 2 metres, or similar spacings, can be observed
in Nagano, Iwate and Aomori.
The overall impression gained by visitors is that the Japanese industry is complex,
imique and almost has mystique dimensions impossible to copy in modem orcharding.
Their consumers and markets demand the highest quality which only the Japanese
growers can deliver. Even away from the boutique and exclusive shopping outlets of
13
the big cities you can appreciate the quality of fruit offered to consumers at every
level. The proximity of markets and a wide range of climatic regions used for apple
growing can guarantee constant supply of perfect produce in respect of appearance
and eating quality. This is a true gourmet approach to fruit production, presentation
and consumption. If we talk about real barriers in fruit trade with Japan we should
not consider quarantine as the main obstacle, but the extremely high quality
requirements set by Japanese consumers.
Fruit is marketed through a number of channels between growers and the ultimate
consumer, roadside stalls, farm gate sales, direct delivery to local shops, wholesale
system and intermediate buyers and dealers.
The all important price levels seen in the wholesale markets in Hirosaki and Tsukiji
(Tokyo) in October/November indicate that Fuji prices can vary between ¥1500 to
¥4500 ($20 - $60) per 18 kg container. Top quality lines were produced by detailed
labour intensive methods and bagging. In some instances even the type of bags used
determine the pricing levels set by the auction method. The price levels are mainly
determined by specific colour qualities and fruit size. The dealers speculate on the
market prices and carefully chose the fruit lines they want to store for future trading.
The Hirosaki market is in the centre of the largest apple growing area in Japan (600
000+ tonnes) most of which are Fuji, therefore prices obtained in this centre should
be a good indicator of the possible price levels for imported fruit. It should be noted
that the fruit offered for auction was "jumble" packed into 18 kg wooden boxes.
4.3
Variety Structure
In the overall production, of just over one million tonnes, Fuji volume is around 50%
(Table 9). The 1995 data indicates that the proportion of Fuji is likely to be close to
55%. This variety enjoyed its meteoric rise in a very short time since its introduced
in 1964. Similar to the Korean industry, Tsugaru and its colour strains represent the
second most important cultivar for the early market season. The Buddhist Full Moon
Festival provides good opportunities for apple marketing. Several new early cultivars
are bred specifically for this market niche, mid-August to mid-September.
Table 9 - Apple Variety Distribution %
VARIETY
Madntosh
Jonathan
Ralls Janet
Golden Delicious
DelicJous
Jonagdd
Ohrin
Fuji
Muteu
Tsugaru
Others
1980
2
6
6
4
33
31
4
5
9
^>ple Variety Developments in J^qjan and South Korea
1994
2
}
}(4)
6
9
48
3
14
14
14
Apart from the dominant Fuji production volume the other main feature of the variety
mix is the noticeable lack of presence of western type cultivars. This is in stark
contrast to the pre 1980s and earlier variety composition. As stated previously the
Japanese apple industry was built on the old American and European varieties. Once
the production assumed its major levels there have been dramatic changes in the
variety structure. The demand for very high, sweet, rich flavour varieties has been
the driving force behind these changes. This is the reason why Golden Delicious,
Jonathan, Macintosh and Ralls Janet have been fast superseded by the new wave of
varieties led by its main world apple star variety Fuji and its many new colour
selections, Tsugaru, Ohrin and others. Jonagold is the only departure to this trend.
This variety has increased gradually in cooler growing areas. New red selections
have helped contribute to its presence in the current market.
4.4 Variety Breeding and Improvement
The first apple breeding program in Japan was started as early as 1928 at Aomori
Apple Experiment Station. Fuji {Ralls Janet x Delicious) provided a major
breakthrough in the long line of varieties produced in Japan. It can be stated that the
Japanese breeding programs have been very successful in respect of production and
adoption of new cultivars domestically and on the international scene. The Japanese
variety structure itself has undergone dramatic changes in a very short period of time
and today we have almost entirely varieties of Japanese origin. Many of these have
found their way into other apple growing areas of the world, Fuji being the best
example of rapid expansion in other countries (Table 10).
Table 10 - Estimated World Fuji Production 1995
COUNTRY
Japan
Korea
Brazil
Washington State
China
California
New Zealand
Australia
British Columbia
South Africa
TOTAL
CARTONS (18 KG)
29500000
23000 000
13500000
5500 000
4300000
3000000
1147 000
700000
100000
PLANTINGS (ha)
42000
32860
12540
8620
370000
6380
1910
800
1000
100
144
80647100
476954
It can be claimed the Japanese apple breeding program is the most active in the
world in its scale of operation, commitment by industry and the government, and
the results achieved. To date over three hundred varieties have been released
from Japanese breeding programs. These programs have aimed specifically at the
Japanese consumer preferences which demand large, sweet, fully matured fruit of
good keeping quality. Specific quality parameters are established in respect of
i^jple Variety Developmrats in Jân and South Korea
15
acid and sugar content for new cultivars, for example it is desirable to have the
optimum levels of acid in the range of 0.3% to 0.5%, 0.45% is considered ideal.
The sugar levels are aimed at 15%. Fuji acid and sugar levels are 0.4% and 15%
respectively.
Other aspects of variety breeding also considered (Table 11) by a number of research
centres. Thê cover resistance to black spot, powdery mildew, Japanese apple rust,
Altemaria blotch, Valsa canker, tree growth habit, early and late time of ripening.
Regarding rootstock improvement, disease resistance, tree size control and nursery
characteristics are essential components of the program.
Table 11 - Examples of Source of Genesfor Apple Breeding in Japan
Traits
Gene Source
CULTNAR
Columnar tree habit
Weeping tree iiabit
Red fmit colour
Excellent eating quality
Early fruit ripening
Late fruit ripening
Red fruit flesh
Self compatibility
Apple scab resistance
Altemaria blotch resistance
Japanese apple rust resistance
Powder mildew resistance
Valsa canker resistance
ROOTSTOCK
Tree size control
Propagability
Apomixis
Freebunknots
Valsa canker resistance
Crown rot resistance
Crown gall resistance
CLSV resistance
SPV resistance
Woolly apfirie aphid resistance
Vole resistance
Water tolerance
Wijcik
Red Jade
Jonathan, Ralls Janet, Worcester Pearmain, Akane, M.s/eM{///
Gala, Tsugaai, Hatsuaki, Jonathan, Delicious, Golden Delicious, Fuji
Gala, Akane, Kitakami, Early Blaze, Mcintosh, Worcester Peannain,
American Summer Pearmain
Fuji, Ralls Janet, Indo
Red field, Geneva, Rnk pearl. Purple L^noine, Purple Wave
Megumi
Liberty, Freedom, Prima, Priscilla, Alps Otome, Himekomachi
Jonathan, Mcintosh, Gala, Tsugaru, Sansa, Akane, Megumi, Granny
Smith, M.asiatica, M.baccata, M.robusta No.5
Akane, Sansa, Worcester Peannain, Na-30, Enpire
M.s/ebo/d//, M.robusta
M.êboldii
M9
M.pmnifblia
M./iupe/iens/s
M.pnjnifolia, M.sieboldii
M.sieboldii
M.pruniMia, M.sieboldii
M.prunifbiia
M9
M9
M.pniniMa
M.pnmWd&a
M.prunifbiia
The main national apple breeding program is centred at Morioka Branch Fruit Tree
Research Station. This research is funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and
Fisheries. In addition there are seven prefecture funded research centres operating
across the country. These are Nagano Fruit Tree Experiment Station, Gunma
Agricultural Research Centre, Fukushima Fruit Tree Experiment Station, Akita Fruit
Tree Experiment Station, Iwate Horticultural Experiment Station, Aomori Apple
^}pie Variety Developments in J^>an and South Korea
16
Experiment Station and Hokkaido Agricultural Experiment Station. Many fruit
breeders and support staff are located at these centres. There are also a number of
private breeders who have made important variety contributions, for example Ohrin,
Kinsei, Yataka and New Jonagold were produced by private programs. Some
promising cultivars arosefromthe government centres, Yoko, Shinsekai, Senshu, Hac
9, Takane and Akita Gold are just some examples. Other noteworthy cultivars are
detailed later in the report.
Five breeding centres were visited during this tour. A number of new cultivars were
observed in test plantings.
Apple Variety Devel(q)ments in Japan and South Korea
17
5. Nagano Fruit Tree Experiment Station
The Station is one of nine research centres in Nagano Prefecture. The Station was
established in 1948 as the Horticultural Branch of Nagano Agricultural Experiment
Station in Toyosu Village, now Suzaka City. In 1976 it was restructured as the
Nagano Fruit Tree Experiment Station. A formal breeding section was established in
1989. The centre has two fruit breeders Dr Tadayuki Hanyuda and Dr Hiromitsu
Komatsu. Dr Hiroo Koike is in charge of the Pomology Section which carries out
comprehensive evaluation of many new varieties. Nagano has a wide range of Fuji
selections under evaluation. This area is located 300 to 1000 metres above sea level
hence the growing season is quite short (160 days) which can be a problem for late
varieties such as Fuji. The Centre is mainly focused on the breeding and evaluation
of early and mid season cultivars.
In addition to breeding other research includes orchard production methods, fruit
quality, insect and disease control and environmental aspects. Major research
programs are:
•
Fruit breeding
Fruit breeding using bio technology
Tree virus diseases and their elimination
Disease and insect studies for the reduction of chemical application
Rapid vegetative multiplication methods of high quality nursery stock (tissue
culture)
New orcharding systems to improve production efficiency
5.1
Current Releases
Major variety releases since 1984 are described below.
a)
Takane (Redgoldx Unknown). Released 1984.
Fruit size:
very large, 350-500 g
Fruit shcpe:
round
Colour:
dark red blush over green/yellow
Flesh:
yellow, coarse, juicy, rich in honeycore and aromatic
Brix:
14 - 15%
Acid:
0.3 - 0.35 g/100 ml
Storage:
same as Red Delicious
Season:
late September (Nagano)
Tree:
vigorous, spreading and productive
Other:
sterile pollen (triploid); susceptible to cork spot
b)
Choka 10 (FujiX Tsugaru)
Fruit size:
Colour:
Brix:
large, 300g
red
14 - 15%
18
Acid:
Season:
c)
Choka 12 (Tsugaru x Vista Bella)
Fruit size:
Colour:
Brix:
Acid:
Season:
Storage:
d)
0.25 - 0.35 g/100 ml
same as Jonagold
large 250g
red
13%
0.4 g/100 ml
similar to Summerred - mid August suitable for Obon
Buddhist Festival
10 days at room temperature
Choka 15 {Golden Delicious x Senshu)
Fruit size:
Colour:
Brix:
Season:
Storage:
Flavour:
large 250g
yellow
15%
Golden Delicious season (2 weeks before Ohrin)
3 weeks at room temperature (better than Golden Delicious)
similar to Golden Delicious
Some growers tend to pick Ohrin too early, therefore Choka 15 may fit into the early
Ohrin time picking slot.
^jple Variety Developments in J<q)an and South Korea
19
6. Gunma Agricultural Research Centre
The Gunma region has low elevation (390 metres) compared with Nagano. It grows a
range of fruit crops including apples, grape, nashi pear, peach, apricot and
persimmon. This is a very small apple growing region (514 ha) and in the contect of
the sizeable Japanese apple industry represents less than 1% of the national
production. However the Centre has substantial involvement in the apple breeding
program which dates back to the early 1960s.
Dr Tadahisa Nakajo, Director of the Horticultural Division, has been involved in
breeding for over 35 years. His first important release was Yoko which is cultivated
in several prefectures. The present program is administered by Dr Yoichi Tachikawa
with Dr Mitsuru Horigome being the principal breeder. The extent of the breeding
program and the results obtained to date make Gunma a very important source of new
varieties particularly in relation to its quite tiny apple production area.
6.1
Promising Variety Releases
a)
Yoi(0 {Golden Delicious x Unknown)
Released:
Fruit size:
Fruit shape:
Colour:
Flesh:
Brix:
Acid:
Storage:
Season:
Other:
1981
large 250 -300 g
oblong
bright red stripe over green/yellow
yellowish white rather coarse, excellent texture and aromatic,
flavour
13.5 - 14.5%
0.35 - 0.45 g/100 ml
over 2 weeks at room temperature (longer than Jonagold)
mid-October (same as Jonagold)
has some calyx and russet which can be prevented by bagging.
Compared with Jonagold Yoko performs better in warmers areas in respect of
colour and keeping quality. This variety is not extensively grown in Japan but
has some importance in early apple regions for direct sales as fully tree matured
fruit. The current areas under Yoko are Gunma (100 ha), Nagano (200 ha) and
Fukushima (200 ha) and increasing.
b)
Aksi^ {Golden Delicious X Unknown)
Released:
Fruit size:
Fruit shape:
Colour:
Flesh:
Brix:
Acid:
1973
medium
oblong
bright red with quite attractive and prominent stripe
juicy and sweet
14.4%
0.26 g/100 ml
Apple Variety Developments in J{q>an and South Korea
20
Storage:
Season:
Other:
medium
late September to early October
colours well in wanner climates better than Jonagold
A more comprehensive breeding program was initiated in 1971 with the aim to
improve fruit quality in this region and provide some resistance to pests and
diseases. These are the most promising releases since 1988:
c)
Shinsekai {Fuji x Akagi)
(Reg. No. 1564)
Released:
Fruit size:
Fruit shcpe:
Colour:
Flesh:
Brix:
Acid:
Storage:
Season:
Tree:
Other:
d)
1988
large 300 - 350 g
oblong to round, slightly oblique with less apparent calyx lobes
deep red blush with weak dark red stripes over greenish/
yellow skin surface. Has good colouring characteristics.
whitish yellow, crisp and very juicy
14 - 15%
0.33 - 0.40 g/100 ml
1 month at ambient temperature and 5 months in cold storage
early to mid October
moderately vigorous and up-right shape
• seems to be resistant to Altemaria leaf blotch {Altemaria
mall) and Powdery mildew {Podo^haera leucotricha).
• good self fertility compared with other cultivars.
• blossom coincides with Fuji and Jonathan.
• Fuji, Tsugaru and Ohrin are good poUenisers for Shinsekai.
• fruit is subject to cracking - same as Fuji.
Gunma Meigestu (Ahigi x Fuji) "Beautiful Moon"
(Reg. No. 2816)
Released:
Fruit size:
Fruit shcpe:
Colour:
Flesh:
Brix:
Acid:
Storage:
Season:
Tree:
Other:
1991
large 300 g
conical with slight crown
yellow, with slight pink blush
yellowish white, very juicy, fine and sweat with a good aroma
15 - 16%
0.30 - 0.35 g/100 ml
one month at ambient temperature and five months in cold
storage
mid-late October, same as Mutsu
upright during juvenile phase.
• blossoms at the same to as Fuji and Akagi and fruit set is
excellent when poUenised with Tsugaru and Ohrin.
• has a high pollen content and serves as a good poUeniser
for other cultivars.
Apple Variety Developments in Japaa and South Korea
21
• seems to be resistant to Altemaria leaf blotch and Powdery
mildew.
• some stem cavity russet.
e)
Honey Queen {Megumi x Unknown)
Released:
Fruit size:
Fruit shape.
Colour.
Flesh:
Brix:
Acid:
Storage:
Season:
Tree:
Other:
f)
1995
large 350 g
round
bright red with faint stripes; showing scurf skin.
pineapple appearance, sweet, soft 5.5 kg
14.5%
0.3 - 0.4 g/100 ml
medium, quite short with excessive water core
early October
vigorous
• disease resistance similar to Fuji, not resistant to Altemaria
blotch
• attractive, rather sweet apple suitable for short term
marketing in early apple districts.
Slim Red {Fuji x Akagi)
Released:
Fruit size:
Fruit shape:
Colour:
Flesh:
Brix:
Acid:
Storage:
Season:
Tree:
Other:
1995
small, 200 g
unique, slim, elongated, almost "Kiwi Fruit" outline, quite
uniform. L/W ratio almost 1.1.
stripe red, deep red stripe over light red background. Similar
to well coloured striped Fuji.
crisp, juicy, slightly aromatic, sweet, rich and very pleasant,
somewhat similar to Fuji
15%
0.4 - 0.5 g/100 ml
long storage, same as Fuji
late October to early November (Gunma), just ahead of Fuji
semi-spur type with spreading growth habit
• appears to be tolerant to Altemaria blotch and black spot
• has a strong resistance to mildew.
In summary. Slim Red is a very exciting, unique, almost exotic disease
'resistant' cultivar.
6.2
The future program will aim at early varieties to suit the climatic conditions of
Gimma, and red flesh varieties for processing. Red Field (USA cultivar) and Fuji are
being used as parent material to produce progenies with 30% of red flesh.
i^^le Variety Developments in J^)an and South Korea
22
7. Fukushima Fruit Tree Experiment Station
The Station was established in 1936. The current structure of the Fukushima Fruit
Tree Experiment Station is presented in Figure 1.
Figure 1 - Structure ofFukushima Fruit Tree Experiment Station
Director General
Deputy Director General
Division of
Administralion
Pomology
Section
Division of
Pomology
Fruit
Breeding
Section
Nutrition
Labc)ratory
Division of Plant
Protection
Field
M'ment
Section
Aizu Test Farm
Tree
Fruit
Section
Field
M'ment
Section
Principal staff members are Dr Sakuma Tadao (Director), Dr Hiroshi Yamaga (Apple
Breeder), Dr Yoichi Saito (Pomologist), and Dr Yu Matsukawa (Director of the
Pomology Section).
Fruit growing areas in Fukushima are mostly situated between 100 and 200 metres
above sea level. These are early maturing districts compared with Aomori and
Morioka. During the harvest season day night temperature are 20°C and 10°C
respectively. The day night temperature differences do not promote good colouring
just prior to harvest.
Many fruits suitable for mild temperate growing conditions are cultivated in this
prefecture (Figure 2). Apple, peach and nashi are predominant tree fruit crops.
Peach plantings and other stone fruits are on the rise due to higher prices
compared with apples which are on the decline. Peaches are ¥500/kg and apples
are priced around ¥300-400/kg. This reflects the trend in new plantings. Most of
the fruits are consumed locally. The local government provides good support for
fruit producers and has 14 extension centres across the prefecture. Each centre
has a horticulturist specialising in tree fruits. There is a good liaison between
research and extension staff and regular meetings are held to enable a regular
flow of information.
^^le Variety Developments in Jjân and South Korea
23
u
i
Figure 2 - Fruit Crop Distribution in Fukushima Prefecture
6%
20%
41%
^ ^ ^
3%
^ s .
^
5%
\
25%
13 Peach
•Apple
• Nashi
m Persimmon
• Grape
DOthera
The main aim of the current and future program is to breed for excellent market
quality and resistance to scab and mildew. Due to Fukushima's relatively long
growing season emphasis is also placed on late season cultivars with rich skin colour.
7.1
Current Releases
a)
Hoozuri {Fuji x Unknown) Pollen source could have been Jonathan
Released:
Fruit size:
Fruit shape.
Colour.
Flesh.
Brix:
Acid:
Storage:
Season:
Tree:
Other:
7.2
1994
large 314g
round to flat
very dark red
medium firmness about 5.5 kg, fine texture, flavour somewhat
similar to Jonagold
14.6%
0.56g/100ml
2 weeks at 15°C and 2-3 months at 0° - 1°C.
early to mid October
medium tree vigour and bud spur formation
cracking is not a problem, resistant to powdery mildew and
Altemaria spot. More suitable for cooler areas of Fukushima.
Variety Testing
The Centre carries out a very comprehensive program of variety and rootstock testing.
Varieties include Gunma Meigetsu, Hoozuri, Mellow, North Queen, Akita Gold and
Morioka crosses. These are compared with the seasonal standards Yoko, Fuji, Ohrin,
Shinsekai and Sansa (Table 12).
^>ple Variety Developments in Jân and Soutli Korea
24
Table 12 - Characteristics of New Apple Variety Cultivars Grown in Fukus
Cultivar Name
Registered New Apple
North Queen
Cultivars
(FujixTsugam)
Akita Gold
Tree
Vigour
Flower
Bud Spur
mild
heavy
mild
Full
Bloom
Peak of
Harvest
Fruit
Wt(g)
Shape
4.28
9.6
275
oblong
yellow
medium
4.28
9.29
222
round
yellow
mild
heavy
4.29
10.17
339
round
green
yellow
mild
heavy
4.28
10.27
301
round
green
yellow
mild
medium
4.26
8.30
302
round
red
mild
few
4.28
9.28
286
round
red
strong
heavy
4.28
10.11
357
round
red
strong
medium
4.28
11.21
378
round
red
mild
medium
4.28
10.11
314
round
flat
dark red
Skin
Colour
{Golden Deli. X Fui{)
Gunma Meigetsu
{fiJtagi X Fujf\
Mellow
iNo.19xlndo)
Standard Cultivars
Tsugaru
{G. Deli X Unknown)
Senshu
(Tohuko X Fuji)
Jonagold
{G.Del X Jonathan)
Fuji
{Ralls X Delidous)
New Apple Cultivar applied for Registration
1994.
Hoozuri
{Fuji X unknown)
Page 25
General comments by the Fukushima Station pomologists on various varieties tested,
or grown, in Fukushima are shown below (Table 13).
Table 13 - Comments on Varieties Tested (or grown) at Fukushima
Comments
Variety
Tsugaru
On the decline due to short storage. Is being replaced by Sansa.
Senshu
Problem with the stem end cracking. Poor colour development in wanner area, low yield,
more suitable for cooler climates, where it should develop a more attractive colour.
Yoko
Generally acceptable for this region but does have problems with calyx end msset. This
is a high value variety which has an attractive appearance and good keeping quality for a
mid season variety.
Sansa
Has problems with msset and low yield.
North Queen
Suffers from pre-han/est drop. It is more suitable for cooler areas such as Hokkaido
where faiit drop is not so apparent.
Akita Gold
Has a mild flavour due to low acid content and also suffers from a high degree of core
rots.
Gunma
Meigetsu
Lowfiminess.
Mellow
Requires multiple picks. Less lenticel msset than Ohrin.
Shinsekai
Cracking problem - as high as 30% in Fukushima. Good general flavour but has different
taste below the skin which indicates some astringency. Skin is chewy and tough.
Choka 10
Does not have the best texture.
Hokuto
Has the best eating c ^ i t y of all cultivars but suffers from mouldy core. Because of its
genetic make-up - triploid - it is often too large for general mariceting.
7.3
Current and Future Breeding Program
There are 33 crosses planted out for screening and testing (Table 14). During the
period 1987 to 1994 a total of 2200 progenies were established for selection and
testing. Fuji, Golden Delicious and a number of recent cultivars feature prominently
in the starting material used in a wide seasonal range of crosses. Higher fruit quality
is the main focus of the program.
Apple Variety Development - South Korea and J:q)an, February 19%
26
Table 14 - Progress of Apple BreecUng Program in Fukushima Fruit Tree Experiment
Station (1995)
Cross
No.
1
Parentage
Fuji X Vista Bella
2
3
Fuji X Tsugaru
Fuji X Geisyu
4
Fuji X Jonathan
6
7
8
9
10
17
20
22
23
24
25
Fuji X Ohrin
Fuji X Himekami
Fuji X Iwakami
Fuji X Senshu
Fuji X Yol<o
Ohrin X Fuji
YokoxTB-9
Golden Delicious x Senshu
Golden Delicious x l-limekami
Golden Delicious x Hoozuri
Senshu x Golden Delicious
26
27
28
Senshu x Himekami
Himekami x Golden Delicious
Himekami x Senshu
29
30
31
32
33
Hoozuri X Golden Delicious
Senshu x Senshu
Sansa x Sansa
Jonathan x Jonathan
Jonagoid x Jonagold
34
35
Hokuto X Hokuto
Fuji X Fuji
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
Golden Delicious x Golden Delicious
Mutsu X Mutsu
Himekami x Sansa
Himekami x TB-4
Senshu x Sansa
Hoozuri xYoko
SansaxTB-4
Jonagold x Hoozuri
TOTAL
Crossing
Year
1986
1987
1986
1986
1987
1986
1987
1986
1987
1987
1987
1987
1987
1989
1990
1990
1990
1990
1992
1990
1990
1990
1992
1992
1992
1992
1992
1990
1992
1992
1990
1992
1990
1990
1992
1992
1992
1992
1992
1992
Planting
Year
1987
1991
1987
1987
1991
1987
1991
1987
1991
1991
1991
1991
1991
1991
1991
1991
1991
1992
1994
1992
1992
1992
1994
1994
1994
1994
1994
No. of
Plants
61
34
65
70
75
89
45
132
50
18
44
101
140
107
68
86
91
131
75
156
15
44
88
66
2
15*
15*
0
0
0
0
0
8*
0
94
124
79
48
11*
2
1994
1994
1994
1994
1994
1994
1994
2200
Note: TB-4 and TB-9 = Tsugaru x Bvrgantfy, * Top working to oldplants
Other work includes trials with orchard design and management systems. High
density plots and various training methods are aimed at the reduction of production
costs which are becoming an ever present problem for Japanese apple growers. As
mentioned earlier large trees and low tree density are a common sight in all apple
regions.
Apple Variety Developments in J^jan and South Korea
27
7.4
Rootstock Testing
Over 40% of growers in Fukushima use Maruba Kaido as their main stock. M26 is
the main dwarfing stock in new plantings. This stock is often too vigorous for
intensive orcharding. Dwarfing selection of CG series (CG80 and CGIO) as well as
Mark are under t^ts in the Station (Tables 17 and 18). The most interesting part of
rootstock testing involves the new Morioka series.
The series comes from Malus prunjolia x M9. Some of these look very promising in
respect of tree size control, productivity, propagability and disease resistance. The
main performance parameters have been tested over the last nine years with Sansa and
Fuji. For further details (Tables 15, 16 and 19) refer to the rootstock breeding section
of the Morioka Fruit Tree Research Station.
Table 15 - Irjluence cf Morioka Series Rootstocks on Trunk Area, Tree Size,
Cumulative Yield and Yield Efficiency for Fuji (1994) After 6 Years.
Rootstock
Trunk
Area
Height
Spread
(m)
(m)
cm2
Morioka No 1
Morioka No 2
Morioka No 3
Morioka No 4
Morioka No 5
Morioka No 6
Morioka No 7
Morioka No 8
Morioka No 9
M9EMU\
M26 EMLA
Maruba Kaido
Yield (kg/tree)
1993
1994
Cum.
yield
(kg/tree)
14.3
17.0
17.1
20.1
12.2
25.6
26.7
25.5
26.5
42.6
43.8
45.6
YiekJ
Efficiency
(kg/cm 2)
2.1
3.6
3.6
3.4
0.9
3.4
3.1
2.7
2.6
3.4
2.7
6.1
44.7
31.8
21.4
16.5
2.6
4.0
3.9
3.8
1.7
3.8
3.6
3.1
3.4
19.8
26.2
22.3
17.5
31.2
23.6
20.1
17.7
51.0
49.8
42.4
35.2
0.98
0.59
0.46
0.61
0.88
0.70
0.74
0.94
1.07
50.9
34.8
56.7
4.3
3.5
4.6
3.9
3.1
3.9
11.4
15.7
21.9
30.3
17.3
36.4
41.7
33.0
58.3
0.59
0.50
0.64
12.4
43.2
58.4
41.7
3.1
Burrknots
low
none
none
none
none
none
none
none
low
low
low
none
Suckers
none
none
none
none
none
none
none
none
none
none
none
medium
Table 16- Ftji Fruit Quality at Harvest on Morioka Series Rootstocks (1994)
Fruit Wt(g)
Rmnness (lb)
Brix
Acid (%)
Morioka No 1
Morioka No 2
Morioka No 3
Morioka No 4
Morioka No 5
Morioka No 6
Morioka No 7
Morioka No 8
Morioka No 9
349
361
347
349
300
347
393
387
369
14.4
13.1
12.7
13.0
15.0
12.7
14.1
13.4
13.5
15.5
15.5
15.2
15.6
15.0
13.9
16.1
15.3
14.7
0.33
0.40
0.36
0.38
0.31
0.32
0.40
0.35
0.31
M9EMLA
M26EMLA
Maruba Kaido
365
315
364
13.0
13.7
13.1
15.1
15.8
15.0
0..37
0.40
0.39
Rootstock
Ai^le Variety Developments in J^>an and South Korea
28
Table 17 - Influence of Nine Rootstocks on Trunk Area, Tree Size, Cumulative Yield
and Yield Efficiency for Fuji After 9 Years
Rootstock
(Interstock/Rootstock)
Trunk Area
(cm2)
Height
(m)
Spread
(m)
Yield
(kg/tree)
Cum. yield
(kg/tree)
CG.10
54.2
4.2
3.0
59.1
185.6
1.09
CG.23
71.1
4.6
3.5
58.7
173.2
0.83
CG.47
140.4
5.6
5.0
81.7
183.9
0.58
CG.57
118.6
5.5
4.1
85.5
222.2
0.72
CG.80
27.8
3.1
1.9
21.2
80.3
0.76
164.0
5.5
6.2
100.7
305.0
0.61
Amakisakigake/Maruba Kaick}
56.7
4.5
3.6
54.9
180.9
0.97
Mari</Seecfling M26
76.5
4.2
3.4
61.7
204.2
0.81
Amakisakigake/Seedling
Yield
efficiency
(kg/cm2)
Table 18 - Fruit Quality at Harvest on 9 Rootstocks for Fuji (1993)
Rootstock
(interstock/Root
stock)
CG.10
CG.23
CG.47
CG.57
CG.80
Amakisakigake/
Seecfling
Amakisakigake/
Mani)a Kaido
Mark/Seedling
M26
Fruit Wt(g)
Acid {%)
Watercore
Good fruit
Firmness
(lb)
Brix
299
13.7
15.0
0.40
3.0
30.4
288
270
264
264
250
13.4
13.7
13.6
14.3
14.4
15.5
15.4
14.9
14.9
15.7
0.44
0.46
0.43
0.35
0.46
3.0
3.4
3.2
2.0
4.1
25.1
48.6
31.3
52.3
56.8
249
14.4
15.9
0.44
3.3
51.1
275
320
14.3
13.6
15.2
15.3
0.38
0.39
2.8
2.6
34.6
36.9
(5)
Table 19 - Rooting ofHardwood Cuttings on Morioka Strain Rootstocks (1987)
Rootstock
Morioka No. 1
Morioka No. 2
Morioka No. 3
Morioka No. 4
Morioka No. 5
Morioka No. 6
Morioka No. 7
Morioka No. 8
Morioka No. 9
Morioka No. 10
Marut)a Kaido
No. of
Cuttings
Rooting {%)
50
30
50
6
31
11
50
11
50
11
50
32.0
100.0
88.0
16.7
29.0
72.7
94.0
45.5
54.0
27.3
100.0
Rooting Devôpment (%)
None
Poor
Medium
Good
68.0
6.0
0.0
8.0
26.0
96.7
78.0
0.0
0.0
54.5
46.0
72.7
16.7
29.0
45.4
16.0
36.4
32.0
18.2
9.1
0.0
3.3
2.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
2.0
0.0
2.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
88.0
12.0
0.0
12.0
83.3
71.0
27.3
6.0
27.3
76.0
9.1
20.0
29
8. Morioka Fruit Tree Experiment Station
This is the only apple research station funded by the National Government. Other
nationally funded centres are Fruit Tree Research Station Tsukuba, which
predominately deals with stone fruit and tree fruit management, Okitsu Branch
Shizuoka, Akitsu Branch Hiroshima and Kutinotsu Branch Nagasaki.
The Station was established in 1938 as the Tohoku Branch Horticultural Research
Station at Fujisaki, Tsugaru, Aomori Prefecture. In 1973 it was established as the
Morioka Branch Fruit Tree Research Station (Iwate Prefecture) and then became a
separate organisation from the division of vegetables and ornamental crops. Presently
there are five sections namely breeding, pomology, post-harvest physiology, plant
pathology and entomology.
The current Director of the Centre is Dr Hiroyuki Fukuda and the Breeding Program
is headed by Dr Junichi Soejima.
The Breeding Section programs are:
•
Apple variety breeding - high quality, high productivity, resistance to diseases
and pests.
•
Apple rootstock breeding - resistance to disease and pests, precocity, and tree
size control.
•
Basic research - relating to biotechnology and the shortening of the juvenile
period.
•
Collection and preservation of genetic resources - apples, pears, cherries,
walnuts and small fruits.
The station now has over 1600 varieties in its germplasm collection. The material
consists of cultivated varieties, crab apples, rootstocks and wild species. Search for
Mains germplasm has been carried out in Japan as well as China and Central Asia.
The Pomology Sections is involved with:
•
•
•
Productivity and canopy management in high density plantings.
Chemical crop r^;ulation, preharvest drop and weed control.
Fruit physiology and storage disorders.
Since 1938 the Centre has produced an impressive range of new apple cultivars. Fuji
provided an excellent spring board and was followed by Akane (1970), Hatsuaki
(1976), Kitakami (1981), Iwakami (1984), Himekami (1984), Sansa (1986) and
Kizashi (1990). (Figure 3).
30
Figure 3 - New Apple Varieties Produced at Morioka
RALLS
JANET
FUJI
DEUCIOUS
HIMEKAA4I
JONATHAN
IWAKAMI
KIZASHI
HATSUAKI
GOLDEN
DEUCIOUS
GALA
SANSA
AKANE
WORCESTER
PEARiVIAIN
TOHOKU
MCINTOSH
KTTAKAMI
RED GOLD
8.1
Variety Releases
Successful and promising releases from Morioka, 1962 - 1990
a)
Fuji (Ralls Janet x Delicious)
ReleasedFruit size:
Fruit shape:
Colour:
Flesh:
Brix:
Acid:
Storage:
Season:
Tree:
Other:
1962
large 250 - 300g
round to conical
red stripe over greenish/yellow
yellow, coarse and firm (6.4 kg tree ripened), juicy and rich in
water core
14 -16%
0.35 - 0.45 g/100 ml
excellent storage characteristics
late October to mid November
vigorous, spreading and productive
• this is the world star variety planted in many countries.
• many red selections have been found in Japan and this is
detailed in the latter part of this report.
Apple Variety Developments in Jq)aii and South Korea
31
b)
Akane {Jonathan x Worcester Pearmain)
Released:
Fruit size:
Fruit shape.
Colour:
Flesh:
Brix:
Acid:
Storage:
Season:
Tree:
Other:
c)
Hatsuaki (Jonathan x Golden Delicious)
ReleasedFruit size:
Fruit shape:
Colour:
Flesh:
Brix:
Acid:
Season:
Other:
d)
1976
large 270g
round
orange/red
juicy, sub acid, excellent flavour.
13.8%
0.42 g/lOOml
mid September
some pre-harvest drop.
Kitakami (Tohoku 2 x Redgold)
ReleasedFruit size:
Fruit shape:
Colour:
Flesh:
Brix:
Acid:
Season:
Other:
e)
1970
small 180 g
round - flat
deep red
medium firmness, white, juicy
13.2%
0.61 g/100 ml
quite good shelf life
mid September
vigorous
• suffers from Chlorotic leaf spot which is not related to iron
deficiency
• superseded by other early varieties: Sansa and Tsugaru
• resistant to Altemaria blotch, Japanese apple rust.
1981
small 160g
flat
red
juicy and firm
12.2%
0.4 - 0.5 g/100 ml
early September
suitable for cool areas.
Himekami {Fuji x Jonathan)
Released'
Fruit size:
Fruit shcpe:
Colour:
1984
large 250-300g
oblong
red stripe over greenish yellow
Aiq>le Variety Developments in Jq)an and South Korea
32
Flesh:
Brix:
Acid:
Storage:
Season:
Other:
yellow in colour, rather coarse, juicy, rich in honeycore and
aromatic
14-15%
0.40 - 0.5 g/lOOml
one week at room temperature
end September
adapted for cooler areas.
f)
Iwakami (Fijif X Jonathan)
Released:
1984
Fruit size:
medium to large, 240 g
Fruit shape:
round
Colour:
bright red with stripe
Brix:
12.8%
Acid:
0.53 g/lOOmI
Storage:
subject to internal breakdown
Season:
late September
g)
Sansa (Gala x Akane)
Patented in Japan, USA and New Zealand
Released:
1986
Fruit size:
medium 200-270g
Fruit shape:
round to conical
Colour:
red stripe on yellow
Flesh:
yellowish white, crisp, juicy and sweet
Brix:
13-14%
Acid:
0.4 - 0.45 g/lOOmI
Storage:
good shelf life in cool areas
Season:
early September
Other:
• promising early variety with good appearance and eating
quality
• resistant to black spot, Altemaria blotch and Japanese apple
rust
Kizashi {Gala.xFhji)
Released:
1990
Fruit size:
small
Fruit shape:
round to conical
Colour:
deep red
crisp, rich flavour
Flesh:
Storage:
possibly short
Season:
mid August
8.2
Dr Soejima's program has six promising new selections ready for further evaluation
at Morioka and other research centres. Four of these were offered for taste test during
this visit. Hatsuaki has the same parentage as Jonagold and was used in this program
^q)le Variety Developments in iapm. and South Korea
33
because of its pollen fertility (Jonagold is triploid). The observations made on the
day of testing are:
a)
Morioka 50 (Haisuaki x Storking)
Season - late September early October (before Jonagold)
Good texture
Quite high acid 0.7 to 0.8%
Brix 13%
Vigorous tree, could be triploid.
Looks more like Red Delicious.
Has good size and shape.
b)
Morioka 52 {Ftji x Hatsuaki)
Season mid October
Flat shape
Sweet flavour
Skin looks like blushed Golden Delicious, similar to Ohrin
Has some Russet
Medium vigour
c)
Morioka 56 (Ftji x Haisuaki)
Season late October
Good bright red colour
Good shape
Well balanced flavour
Flesh has good texture
Vigorous and productive tree
Subject to some stem end cracking at a similar rate to Fuji.
This is a promising selection and should perform well infleldtests.
d)
Morioka 57 {Jonathan x Haisuaki)
•
•
•
•
8.3
Season mid October, before Jonathan
Flavour similar to Jonathan
Dark red colour
Flat shape, similar to Jonathan
Rootstock Breeding and Testing Program - Morioka Series
This is a very important program carried out by Nforioka as well as by Aomori
Research Station. Malus Prumfolia Borkh. var. ringo Asami and Malus sieboldii
Rehd. have been extensively used in Japan. Although Malus prunifolia is not as
vigorous as a common apple seedling it produces quite immanageabie trees on most
Japanese soils. It has been well adapted to the Japanese growing conditions and does
not appear to suffer from Woolly aphis infestations. Maruba Kaido is quite
productive and it is very tolerant to waterlogging. The root volume is large and its
active root system can virtually survive imder water in deep alluvial and or volcanic
soils. The selections served the industry very well due to their great adaptability to
Apple Variety Developments in Jq>an and South Korea
34
the local environment. Most of the orchards are exposed to wet summers, very cold
winters, deep snow falls and typhoon force winds.
M9 and M26 are the only dwarfing stocks used in Japan. They have problems with
the susceptibility to pests and diseases, soil adaptability and propagation
characteristics.
Morioka rootstock breeding program commenced in 1972 using Maruba Kaido and
M9. Ten clones were selected in 1984 based on tree vigour control, ease of
propagation by cuttings and tolerance to pests and diseases.
Since 1982 field tests at Morioka and Fukushima research centres compared ten of
these clones with M9 EMLA and M26 EMLA and revealed some very promising
selections. (Table 20). A nine year trial with Fuji shows that most of the stocks are
aligned with M9 EMLA in terms of tree size. Morioka 1, 5 and 8 were more
dwarfing than M9 while Morioka 3 fitted in the middle of the M9 - M26 range. The
yield efficiency of Morioka 7 and 8 exceeded that of M9 EMLA, however the
majority of selections compared favourably with M26 EMLA.
Table 20 - Vegetative Growth and Yield of 9 Year Old Fuji Trees on Morioka Apple
Rootstocks
Rootstock
Morioka No 1
Morioka No 2
Morioka No 3
Morioka No 4
Morioka No 5
Morioka No 6
Morioka No 7
Morioka No 8
Morioka No 9
Morioka No 10
M9EMLA
M26 EMLA
Trunk
Girth
(cm)
Height (m)
28
3.7
33
38
30
20
34
31
27
31
31
32
40
4.2
4.3
3.9
3.2
4.4
4.5
3.9
3.8
4.4
5.8
6.0
(kg)
Accumulative
yield (kg)
3.7
31.6
73.6
Yield
efficiency
(kg/cm2)
1.21
4.6
4.3
3.9
2.8
4.4
4.1
3.4
3.6
4.0
4.5
5.6
43.8
37.8
25.0
16.3
29.6
50.3
31.4
32.0
32.3
41.1
39.1
73.4
71.6
54.9
27.6
79.2
132.5
91.6
90.6
101.4
138.2
128.7
0.84
0.72
0.75
0.81
0.89
1.74
1.57
1.23
1.31
1.37
0.81
Spread (m)
Annual Yield
Fuji were grafted in May 1982 on Morioka No. 1 to 5, M9 EMLA and M26 EMLA,
budded in August 1982 on No. 's 6 to 10.
Accumulative yields per trunk cross-selection area
In the Fukushima experiment with Fuji (Table 15) stocks exhibited more variation in
tree size. Numbers 1, 5 and 9 were extremely dwarfing. All remaining stocks expect
Morioka 3 have good influence on tree size compared with the standard selections,
M9 EMLA, M26 EMLA and Maruba Kaido. Most of the selections were equal to or
more productive than the standards.
kpfAs Variety Devel(q>ments in Jân and South Korea
35
In general the new crosses did not show any major departure from the standards in
respect of the fruit quality parameters (Table 16).
Regarding the propagation ability of the series at Morioka numbers 1, 2, 5, 7, 8 and 9
compared well with Maruba Kaido (Table 21). In the Fukushima tests (Table 19)
Morioka 2, 3 and 7 gave the best results.
Table 21 - Propagation by Cuttings
Rootstock
Rooting {%)
good
poor or small
tree height
(cm)
Diameter
(mm)
98
97
96
98
87
97
93
93
95
78
95
76
86
86
5
2
18
3
11
11
7
100.5
72.7
70.9
96.4
78.1
77.9
60.1
6.5
6.0
5.9
6.7
6.5
6.1
4.8
Morioka No. 1
Morioka No. 2
Morioka No. 5
Morioka No. 7
Morioka No. 8
Morioka No. 9
Maruba Kaick)
Morioka 1, 3, 5, 7 and 8 are resistant to Woolly aphis and P. caciorum (Table 22).
In summary, if we take into account all important rootstock characteristics i.e.
productivity, vigour control and disease and pest resistance Morioka 2, 3 and 7
showed the most promise. These stocks should be tested in Australia because they
may offer appropriate advantages in future plantings which have to be managed under
the integrated orchard management systems.
Table 22 - Disease cmdPest Resistance ofMorioka Series Rootstocks at Morioka
Branch National Station
Rootstock
Morioka No 1
Morioka No 2
Morioka No 3
Morioka No 4
Morioka No 5
Morioka No 6
Morioka No 7
Morioka No 8
Morioka No 9
Morioka No 10
M9EMLA
M26EMLA
ACLSV
Woolly aphid
Rreblight
Altemaria Leaf
Spot
Scab
S
R
R
S
S
S
R
S
R
R
R
S
R
S
R
S
R
R
S
S
S
S
M
M
R
S
S
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
M
S
R
R
R
S
R
R
R
S
S
S:Sensitive,M.Medium,R:Resistant, --.Unknown
Aiqile Variety Developments in Japaa and South Korea
36
9. Aomori Apple Experiment Station
The station was established in 1931, although the local centre was involved in apple
variety improvement prior to this date. The first controlled apple crosses were made
in 1928 by the Department of Horticulture of the Aomori Agricultural Experiment
Station. This was the "birth" of the Japanese apple breeding program which has made
giant strides in the development of apple cultivars for their industry. Many of these
cultivars are now tested world-wide. The most significant event in this context is that
the best known Japanese variety, Fuji, was created in Fujisaki, Aomori Prefecture.
The Fujisaki Station was later transferred to Morioka.
In 1948 and 1949, the Aomori Apple Experiment Station introduced 14 new apple
cultivars; Mutsu, Shinsei, Shinko, Kyokko, Amanishiki, Korei, Murasaki, Orei,
Megumi, Shin-indo, Fukunishiki, Fukutami, Horei and Golden Melon. Subsequent
introductions were made; Aori No 1 (1953); Toko (1963); Tsugaru (1973), Sekaiichi
(1974), Kitanosachi (1975), Hokuto and Natsumidori (1983) and Mellow (1989).
Mutsu and Tsugaru have claimed a very important place in the Japanese variety
structure. Tsugaru is the second most important cultivar in Japan today.
Presently the Station has a good team of apple breeders and support staff. The Apple
Breeding Division is headed by Dr Tadashi Kato. The apple breeding team includes
Dr Tomoyuki Kon, Dr Takashi Sato, Dr Kudo Dr Kitayama and five technical
assistants who also participate in the Pomology Division. Dr Yoshiaki Osanai,
Pomologist, is in charge oftihetree management, rootstock and variety test plots.
The Aomori Apple Experiment Station also carries out part of its activities at the
Fujisaki Test Station. The Test Station has fully established plantings concerned with
high density plantings, tree training techniques and rootstock ©cperiments.
9.1
Variety Releases
Major releases from Aomori during the period from 1948 to 1989 are:
a)
Mutsu {Golden Delicious x Indo)
Released
1948
Fruit size:
very large
Fruit shcpe:
round to oblong
Colour:
yellowish green
Flesh:
yellowish white firm and crisp, juicy and sweet flavour
Brix:
12-14%
Acid:
0.5 - 0.6 g/lOOml
Storage:
long shelf life
Season:
mid to late October
Other:
vigorous and productive tree, triploid with sterile pollen
Mutsu holds 3% of the national apple production and is now mostly grown in
bags as a specialised apple for gift packs.
37
b)
Tsugaru {Golden Delicious x Jonathan)
Released:
Fruit size:
Fruit shape.
Colour:
Flesh:
Brix:
Acid:
Storage:
Season:
Other:
c)
Sekaiichi {Delicious x Golden Delicious) means "World Number One"
Released:
Fruit size:
Fruit shcpe:
Colour:
Flesh:
Brix:
Acid:
Storage:
Season:
Other:
d)
1973
large, 250-300g
round
50-70% blush light red with deep red stripes over greenish
yellow background
yellowish white, semi firm and juicy, flavour is sweet with
low acidity
12-13%
0.30 - 0.35g/100ml
one week at room temperature, medium storage under
refrigaation
mid to late September, 10 days before Gala.
• moderately vigorous tree and tends to be upright during
earlier years
• resistant to Altemaria leaf blotch
• good pollination cross compatibility with other main cultivars
• can suffer from pre-harvest drop
• very popular early apple which is marketed
entirely without storage and is used for Buddhist festivities.
• many new red sports (Homei, Natsuka, Beni Tsugaru,
Misuzu) have been discovered and these are now planted in
ail apple areas
1974
very large, over 500g
round or round conical
bright red stripe on greenish yellow
yellowish white, sweet and aromatic
13-14%
0.30 -0.35g/100ml
medium storage life (3-4 months)
mid October
• very vigorous tree and can be biennial
• susceptible to scab, Altemaria leaf spot, bitter pit and preharvest drop
• this is a speciality gift apple in Japan
Hokuto {Fuji:xMutsu) means "Northern Star"
ReleasedFruit size:
Fruit shcpe:
Colour:
1983
very large, 350-500g
round
red over greenish yellow
Apple Variety Developments in Jjqjan and South Korea
38
Flesh:
Brix:
Acid:
Storage:
Season:
Other:
e)
Mellow (iVb. 19 x Inch)
Released:
Fruit size:
Fruit shape:
Colour:
Flesh:
Brix:
Acid:
Storage:
Season:
Tree:
Other:
9.2
yellowish white, dense and juicy, rich in flavour and water
core, aromatic
14-15%
0.35-0.45g/100ml
end of October
• the tree is vigorous, productive and triploid
• high quality apple adaptable for cooler areas
• often rated as the best quality apple in Japan, however due
to its inherent problems with colour and mouldy core it has
not been widely planted
1989
large, 300g
oblong to round
yellow with faint red on the exposed side
whitish yellow, semi-firm, fine texture and juicy. Sweet
flavour, very aromatic
15%
0.4g/100ml
end of October, 2 weeks before Ohrin
similar to Golden Delicious, productive, cross incompatible
with Golden Delicious, Jonagold and Mutsu
• high quality dessert apple and also good for processing
• should extend the Ohrin season
• many growers attempt to pick Ohrin too early. Mellow
should fit into this market slot
The current breeding program produces 10 to 20 crosses annually and after the initial
screening in the glasshouse, plant approximately 1000 seedlings per year.
The most promising crosses fh}m the recent program are now under test in Aomori
across twenty sites with varying growing conditions. Seven of these have been
observed during this study tour. The main characteristics are described below:
a)
Aomori 5 (Tsugaru x Mellow)
Fruit size:
Fruit shcpe:
Colour:
Flesh:
Season:
Other:
large
round
yellow/green
medium texture, crisp and juicy, flavour is sweet and sub acid
mid September
resistant to Altemaria
39
b)
Aomori 9 (Akane x Ohriri)
Fruit size.
Fruit shape:
Colour.
Flesh.
Season:
Other:
c)
Aomori 4 {Fuji x Mahe)
Mahe fZndSo x Golden Delicious) x Macintosh
Fruit size:
Fruit shape:
Colour:
Flesh:
Season:
Other:
d)
large
oblong to conical
good striped pink colour - similar to Fuji
creamy,firm,juicy, rich inflavour- similar to Jonagold
end of October
• self thinning; resistant to leaf spot, productive
• very promising cultivar in respect of size, shape, colour and
eating quality
Aomori 7 {Delicious x Ohrin)
Fruit shape:
Colour:
Flesh:
Season:
Other.
f)
large
round
dark red (perhaps too dark)
texture solid, firm, juicy and somewhat chewy, sweet flavour,
shows some watercore
mid October
resistant to Altemaria, not as tasty as Aomori 6, 8 and 10.
Aomori 6 {Fuji x Jonathan)
Fruit size:
Fruit shape:
Colour:
Flesh:
Season:
Other:
e)
large
round to conical
bright red with some stripe
medium texture, juicy,flavouris sweet and acid (0.5%)
late September
• self thinning; resistant to Altemaria and scab
• shows some calyx end and stem end russet
long tapers off at calyx end (wasted shape), shape improves if
grown on fertile soil
yellow
texture is firm and juicy, sweet aromatic flavour
mid October
not resistant to leaf spot
Aomori 8 ( Megumi x Kaworf)
Kawori = Richaredx (Ralls Janet x Delicious)
Fruit size:
Fruit shcpe:
Colour:
large
conical, tapered at base
non-continuous faint red stripe over pale red undercolour
^)ple Variety Devel<q>maits in Japaa and South Korea
40
Flesh:
Storage:
Season:
Other:
g)
Aomori 10 {Delicious x Ohriri)
Fruit shape:
Colour:
Flesh:
Storage:
Season:
Other:
9.3
texture firm, crisp, juicy, honey sweet flavour, aroma better
than Fuji, develops watercore, acid 0.36%
not as good as Fuji
end of October
Delicious shape
red
fine, mediumfirmness,very sweet and rich flavour, shows no
watercore
to December
mid October
Rootstock Breeding Program
Rootstock breeding was initiated in 1975 with the same aim as the Morioka series.
Malus prun folia and M9 were used as parents. Five elite candidates were selected on
the basis of productivity, tree size control, disease resistance and propagability.
The Aomori series fits into the dwarfing range between M27 and M26:
•
•
•
Aomori No. 3 = M27
Aomori No. 9 = M9
Aomori 1, 2 & 4 = M26
Aomori 2 is as productive as M26. Other selected stocks are less productive. The
rate of propagation by cuttings is less than 50% for all selections. This does not
compare favourably with the Morioka series.
Another angle in the current breeding program is to use Malus hypehensis, which is
an arpomictic variety, with M9, M27 and M26 to produce uniform size stocks from
seed. This will enable rapid propagation from seed sources which will be cheaper
than cuttings, stoolbeds or other methods of vegetative multiplication.
9.4
The future breeding program is aimed at producing varieties with high eating quality.
The resistance to black spot and Altemaria leaf spot is also a high priority. Powdery
mildew is not a problem in this region.
^)ple Variety Developments in izspsa and South Korea
41
10. Aomori Region - Apple Industry Profile
This is the premier apple growing area in Japan accounting for almost half of the
national production. Aomori is located at 40.5 N at the northern end of the Honshu
island (Table 5).
The climate is temperate with fairly cold winters but not extremely hot summers.
Orchards are mainly planted on low elevations (50 - 250 m) and steep slopes. Ninety
percent of production comes from Western Aomori - Tsugaru in the proximity of
Hirosaki City. The principal apple producing districts are:
•
•
•
Hirosaki and Fujisaki (south)
Koshigawara and Itanayagi (north)
Kuroishi (east)
All districts are protected from cold winds by Mount Iwake in the west and Hakoda
Range in the east.
This is the northernmost limit for Fuji growing due to a relatively short fruit growing
season. Fuji requires 180 - 190 days from full bloom to maturity. Aomori Fuji
harvest usually starts in early November, not too removed from first snow falls which
do not permit many select picks as in Fukushima, Nagano, Gunma and other
prefectures with extended mild autumn weather. The old variety Ralls Janet is often
referred to as "Snow Apple". It matures after Fuji and is often harvested after the
start of the snow season.
The area prides itself for high fruit quality suitable for long term storage. Apples are
marketed predominantly from January to April. Twenty percent of the crop is kept in
CA storage. Ultramodern storage and handling facilities are provided by grower's cooperatives. The capital costs are subsidised by National and Prefectural governments.
The newest facility constructed by JA Hirosaki Co-op has 4278 tonnes of storage
capacity. High-tech grader can separate fruit into eight sizes and four colour grades
by using the latest electronic and laser technology. The complex was built at a cost of
$A 45 million, including 33% of government subsidy.
The fruit growing culture is quite traditional, more so than in other areas of Japan.
Orchard soils are mainly of volcanic origin with clay volcanic ash topsoil and clay
subsoil. These soils are considered "too shallow" by Japanese standards although
they are capable of producing large size trees on Maruba rootstock. The most fertile
soils are of alluvial type found in a small region around Fujisaki.
Irrigation has not been practised in old Aomori plantings for over one himdred years.
Satisfactory commercial yields are possible due to high (1300 mm) and well
distributed rainfall, deep soils with good moisture retentive capacity and Maruba
Kaido rootstock which has excellent root volume. This stock is very tolerant to
waterlogging, it can almost survive infiiUywater saturated soil conditions.
Apple Variety Devdq)ments in Jân and South Korea
42
Fuji/Maruba Kadio produces excessive tree size even for wide spacings (200-300
trees/ha). New plantings on M26 appear to maintain the right level of vigour under
semi-intensive hedgerows. High density pltntings do have irrigation systems but
access to water is not readily available as the rice production has a higher priority
compared with apples.
10.1 Hirosaki University - Faculty of Agriculture
The Faculty has a good team of researchers headed by Professor Takuro Kikuchi. Drs
Osamu Arakawa, Takenori Asada and Yunosuke Shiozaki carry out research
programs on all major aspects of apple production.
Major emphasis has been given to tree training, pruning, rootstocks, tree canopy, light
studies and fruit colour development. Considerable amount of experimental work is
conducted at the University Research Centre, Fujisaki which is also used as a teaching
facility.
Professor Kikuchi and his staff maintain a close link with the Aomori apple industry.
They also play a key advisory role in this all important fruit producing region.
43
11. Fuji Apple and its Selections in Japan
Fuji is the undisputed leading apple cuitivar in Japan accounting for over fifty percent
of the current apple production (Table 9). It has enjoyed a meteoric rise since the late
sixties and still features prominently in new plantings across all apple growing
prefectures.
Over the last 10 to 15 years Fuji has made a significant impact on the world variety
scene now approaching 5% of the world apple production (Table 10). China, USA
and Brazil have had the highest expansion in Fuji plantings in recent years. By the
end of this decade the variety will most likely occupy the third position in the world
apple production behind Red Delicious and Golden Delicious. It's overall market
share will approach 10% or five million metric tons by the year 2000.
Fuji {Ralls Janet x Delicious) is a notable success of the first Japanese national
breeding program conducted at Fujisaki Research Centre, Aomori Prefecture. From
596 progenies made in 1939 Tohoku No 7 was selected in 1958 at Morioka Research
Station and released as Fuji in 1962 by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Food
and Fisheries. The name assigned to Tohoku No 7 was associated with Fujisaki
town. Mount Fuji and the first Miss Japan, Fujiko Yamamoto.
The cuitivar was selected for its superb eating and keeping quality. The skin colour
was regarded as unsatisfactory by Japanese standards and since the early sixties there
has been a constant search for spontaneous and induced colour mutations. Well over
one hundred colour sports and variants have been found and or developed by growers,
nurseries and prefectural or national research centres.
It ought to be pointed out that a high proportion of Fuji crop in Japan comes from the
standard Fuji (original 1962 release) or colour variants fairly close to the standard
type. Aomori in particular has a very large production of standard Fuji. The growers
rely on time consuming detailed orchard management operations to achieve the
desired colour quality.
Irradiated strains were produced by Morioka Research Station in 1963-64. Out of
seventeen variants (13 striped, 1 blush and 3 spur types) Moriho - Fu 3A, a
reselection of Moriho-Fu3 (standard striped type) was recommended for commercial
application.
Numerous colour mutants were evaluated mainly in commercial orchards by regional
research centres. This work was co-ordinated by Morioka Research Station during
the 1971-80 period. The study observed the following parameters of fruit quality:
fiuit weight skin colour (type and intensity) general appearance, soluble solids,
acidity,fleshfirmness,textureflavourand aroma.
The study concluded that the colour pattern is unstable. Solid-blush types and those
with striped colour pattern were often overlapping and many selections displayed a
range of colour characteristics striped, semi-striped (diffused stripe) and full blush.
Apple Variety Devel<q)meats in Japan and South Korea
44
This may explain the fact that the first series of colour sports introduced to Australia
in 1980-81 did not match the description supplied by Japanese. Naga Fu 1 & 2 and
Aki Fu 7 all turned out as blushed colour typeS! Some of them should have displayed
predominantly striped colour pattern.
Although some improved striped sports had eating quality similar to the standard Fuji,
fruit flavour generally declined with the increased in skin colour particularly in
blushed types. The increased in chlorophyll content as experienced in Red Delicious
strains is invariably associated with deterioration in eating quality.
The evaluation of Fuji sports across all apple growing prefectures was affected by
inevitable differences in commercial orchard management (tree management manipulation and nutrition) and environmental factors. This was the principal reason
why the national Fuji strain evaluation program was terminated in 1980.
At present there is no general recommendation for Fuji selections in Japan.
According to Professors Kikuchi and Arakawa, Hirosaki University, the whole issue
of Fuji strains is in a state of total chaos.
Some recommendations have been made at a prefectural level (Table 23), however, many
prefectures leave this unenviable task to commercial nurseries, growers or grower cooperatives. Aomori Research Station pomologists do not believe that any red sports
should be planted in preference to standard Fuji which should have the best eating quality.
This is also the view of some leading Japanese growers. Nevertheless, the majority of
new plantings are based on promising new striped strains. The growers are forced to look
towards new red sports which may deliver the same colour quality as "bagged Fuji".
Standard Fuji colour management costs are very high. Fruit bagging and rotation,
deleafing, reflective foil and numerous select picks cost Japanese growers thousands of
hours per hectare. For this reason Japanese nurseries and orcharidsts are in constant
search of "super" coloured striped strains. This may remain an impossible dream.
Colour standards set for a "perfect" Fuji strain are:
•
•
•
Light-bright pink under colour over the entire skin surface including calyx and
stalk cavities
Deep red (not too dark) stripes evenly distributed over the pink area
The striped colour pattern must consist of numerous fine stripes, not broad stripes
It is unlikely that a stable uniform strain of this colour quality will ever be found,
however, some selections may approach these standards with considerable assistance
from detailed orchard managemoit.
11.1 Overview of Red Fuji Selections in Japan
It appears that every region (prefecture), subregion, growers co-operatives, nurseries
and many individual leading growo^ have their own preferred Fuji. Very few, if any,
of these colour strain candidates are evaluated and many are just potential colour
variants found by eager growers and nurseri^. Strain names are firequently mixed-up
Apple Variety Developments in J^jan and South Korea
45
and or substituted by growers and nurseries making the distinction amongst ever
emerging new "selections" almost impossible. The list of strains is already quite
exhausting and growing at a rapid rate with many names given to a single variant or
selection. For example 'Aki Fu 47' is also known as 'Mishima', '2001', 'Royal',
Rakuraku', Hatorazu etc.
At present a small number of coloured strains with prefectural prefixes are in use.
Naga Fu 6 and 12 Aku Fu 1, 2 and 4, Iwa Fu 10 and others are still in circulation.
The latest colour sports - candidates carry nursery, grower or other denominations i.e.
Nomura, Kimura, Ogura, Mishima, Royal, 2001, Rakuraku, Nakata etc.
Table 23 - Some Current and Prospective Red Fuji Selections in Japan, 1995
Seiectjon
Colour pattern
Comments
AkiFul
striped red
AkiFu
(No. not
striped red
• from standard Fuji
• variable red stripe
• reccHTimended in Akita, Yamagata, Gunma and Tochigi
• minimal use in Nagano
very promising latest red striped strain from Akita
attracting interest in Ivi^te and possibly other prefectures
accorcSng to commercial growers in Morioka, some
recent Aki Fu selections have attractive pink fine stripes
which is now in more demand conpared with broader
stripe pattern present in Iwa Fu strains.
AkiFu2
striped red
AkiFu4
striped red
AkiFu 47
striped red
AoFu13
striped red
Fuku-Fu 1
striped red
Gun-Ful
striped red
Gun-Fu 2
striped red
Gun-Fu 3
stipedred
*•
•
«>
>
«»
>
>
>
•>
>
«>
>
>
attractive red stripe
d^/elops excellent cokmr on M26 in Aomori
also reconmended in Iwate
has t)een planted in other prefectures.
good red stripe
recommended in Toyama
has been planted in other prefectures ie., \vmte.
claimed to have attractive red stripe, superior to Iwa Fu
10 and otha" broad striped selections
recommended in Akita
popular in Aomori with other Mishima Aki Fu selections
attracting attention in other prefectures.
could be same sport as Rakuraku, 2001, Royal,
Hatorazu, etc.
red striped sêction
not popida* in Nagano; used by some growers
has N ^ colour factor
eaiig quafity is kwver than standard Fuji due to high
chkmiphyfl contenL; this is common Ri ligh cokxjrmg strains
red sirqied selection
recorrenended in Guvna
considered sutable for wannaieas
promoted by nurseries.
red strqped sport
recorrwiiended in Gimma; suitable for warm areas
deep red strqMd sport; has good prominent strqse
considered best of Gunma selections
has good incidence (rfwatercore in GuimaprefectiAe
suitable for wann aeas
46
Selection
Iwa-Fu 10
Colour pattern
striped red
Iwa-Fu 10 'Kumagai'
striped red
NagshFul
solid blush red
Naga-Fu2
solid43lush red
Naga-Fu2
striped red
Naga-Fu 6
striped red
Naga-Fu 6 (Reselection)
striped red
Naga-Fu 12
striped red
Yama-Fu2
striped red
Morihofu3A
striped red
•Yarnada'
solid-blush red
'•kartoo' Fiji
striped red
Big Naga-Fu 2
strpedred
•
Comments
• generally good red stripe
• stripes are predominantly broad
• recommended in Iwate
• 'selection'of Iwa-Fu 10 from commercial orchard in Morioka
• excellent deep, even red stripe
• dari( red in Nagano, deep red in Iwate
• susceptible to aisset
• no longer planted or generally pronwted by nurseries
• used by few growers in Nagano
• deep red colour in Nagano
• susceptible to msset in Nagano
• no longer planted or generally promoted by nurseries
• some use in Nagano
• from Naga-Fu 2 blush strain
> Medium fine and broad stripe
> tendency to produce solid block colour on young trees
> recommended by Nagano, Yamagata, Tochigi, Toyama
and Ishikawa
> popular selecti(»i in Japan
» promoted by nurseries
<» from standard 'Fuji'
» predominantly prominent broad stripe; some fruits have
stripes fused with over colour
• this type of stripe is not popular in Aomori
» recommended for Nagano; promoted by nurseries
» con^dered to be more suitable for cooler areas
«> from Naga-Fu 6
> more desirable striped pattern with more even narrower finer stripes 'similar' to Royal Fuji
> recommended by Aomori Growers Association
> promoted by nurseries
* > from standard Fuji
> stripes are fine and less prominent then in Naga-Fu 6
> trees have fruits with a mixture of striped, semi-striped
and blushed colour pattern.
> may perfonrt better in wanner districts then Naga-Fu 6
because of higher skin colour area and intensity
• may be more prone to msset than N e ^ F u 6
recommended for Nagano
popular in Japan; promoted by nurseries
<> excellent red stripe
contains Stem grooving and Chlorotic leaf spot vimses
recommended in Yamagata and Tochigi; £riso used in
Fukushima
« selection of inadrated sport Moriho-Fu 3 (Morioka
Research Station Progam)
popiriar selection in Japan
promoted by nurseries
« inadteited strain firom Aomori Research Station
blush bright red type
« sport of standard Fuji
large size fruits
popito-in Japan; promoted by nurseries
« sport d Naga-Fu 2
large size fmits
A]q)le Variety Developmoits in Jân and South Korea
47
Selection
Colour pattern
Tensei'
Japanese Patent No.
3707
striped red
Spur Type
striped red
'Seirin' Spur
striped red
Yataka
US PP No 1450
striped red
Beni-Shogun
("Red Lips* - Samurai
General)
US PP No 7997
Yataka 'selection'
soiki blush
striped red
TakanoWase
striped red
'Ogura'
striped red
'Ayano'
striped red
'Rakuraku'
striped
Comments
red
red
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
»
<»
»
»
•
<»
f
»
<t
»
<>
>
1
«>
)
>
)
<>
>
>
'Abe'
striped red
•
'Nakata'
stiqiedred
«
'Harada'
Fuji 2001
stripedred
striped red
•
•
sport of standard Fuji
same colour as standard Fuji
fruits are large (tetrôid)
later maturing than standard Fuji
flesh texture coarse, juicy and tasty
popular in Japan; promoted by nurseries
satisfactory striped colour pattern; spur growth h ^ t
poor eating quality; little commercial interest
deep red stripe
spur growth habit
possibly poor eating quality
under test in Nagano
eariy maturing Fuji selection
pale red stripe is similar to that in standard Fuji
colouring pattern is veiy uneven - unstable
not recommended in Nagano
popular in some otha^ prefectures; promoted by nurseries
solid bk}ck red colour-attractive colour intensity
suitable for poor cokxiring areas
popular in Japan
limb sport of Yataka found in Fujisawa, Iwate
potentially promising attractive striped sport
cunently under test at Fukushima Tenkoen
eariy ripening Fuji sport
has red faint stripe; not recommended in Nagano.
satisfactory stripe
attracting some interest in some districts of Nagano may replace 'Ayano'
reselection from Naga-Fu 2
has satisfactory medium red non-continuous stripe
may be more stable than Naga-Fu 6
intîest in Nagano (Misato area) - prefened to Naga-Fu 6
promising selection with deep red stripes
'Rakuraku' implies good quality colour development
under nc»mal tree management without fruit bagging
attracting interest from many apple growing regions
thought to be the same strain as '2001', Royal, Aki-Fu
47, Hatorazu, etc.
grower selection of staidard Fuji from Fukushima
selected in late 60s
excellent bright red uniform stripe without bagging
flavour and texture are as good as in staidard Fuji
clamed to be one (rf the best sdectkxis in Japan
possibly rsselectkin of Naga-Fu 2 (Striped) from Hirosaki
very pronisvig seiedni^ recommended by JA Hirosaki Coop
reselection of Naga-Fu2 ( S t i ^ fomn)
good deep rsd ^ p e ; colours well without bagging
presumed selectkxi from Akita prefecture
possibly identk^ to Rakuaku, Roy^d, Aki-Fu 47
claimed to have high sugar content (17%) but this may
be due to eariier matiaity.
matures one week before standard Fuji in Aomori
attracting interest in most prefectmes
^jple Variety Developments in Japan and South Korea
48
Selection
Fuji 2001
'Reselection'
'Kimura'
sbipedred
'Nomura'
striped
red
'Hatorazu'
striped
red
Royal
striped
red
'Saito'
striped
red
Colour pattern
striped red
:3omments
• excellent stripe
» found in Aomori prefecture
<» dsplays attractive deep red stripe over pink red
tiackground colour. Colours well without bagging.
• from Akita possibly identical to other Akita selections
<• improved bright red striped sport from Aomori
> promoted by nurseries
<» highly coloured type
» most likely identical to Rakuraku, Royal, Aki-Fu 47
* promoted by nurseries
<> «(celient deep fine red stripe over pink red under colour
» colours well without baggng
> has high sugar levels
> possitdy identical to Rakuraku, 2001, Aki-Fu 47, etc.
> promoted by Nomura Nursery, Aomori Prefecture.
<> grower nursery selection from Aomori
> shows fine red stripe similar to 'Royal' Fuji. Could be
dose to an 'ideal' red Fuî type - even fine stripes over
entire surface with light pink under colour
has been heat treated at Aomori Research Station and is
free of Class A viruses
promoted by Saito Nursery, Aomori.
'Minemurakei'
striped red
'Highland
'Gines'
'Ariake'
'Kotobuki'
'Super* Fuji
striped red
striped red
striped red
striped red
striped red
'Kokko Deiidous'
'Tsugaru' Fiî
striped red
striped red
•>
•
<•
<•
<>
<*
<>
I
•»
<>
popular in J£pan
spurtype
ixomoted by nurseries
Apple Variety Developments in Jzpaa and South Korea
49
12. Other Japanese Varieties
In addition to the principal fruit breeding organisations outlined so far, Akita, Iwate
and Hokkaido fruit tree experiment stations have made important contributions in
apple variety improvement and development.
Private breeding also has been active in Japan and goes back to 1921 when a grower
named Maeda carried out some variety crossing. Encouraged by the enormous
success of the national and prefectural apple breeding programs many growers have
been involved in this activity.
At present there are nine private breeders in Japan.
Some varieties from this category are described here.
a)
Sensyu: Toko (Golden Delicious XIndc) x Fiji
Bred by Akita Prefecture, released in 1966.
Fruit size:
Fruit shape:
Colour:
Flesh:
Brix:
Acid:
Storage:
Season:
large 250-300g
round or round-conic
brownish red stripe on greenish yellow - similar to Fuji
yellowish white, medium in texture, crisp, juicy
13.5-14.5%
0.30-0.35g/100ml
2-3 months
follows Gala
This is a high quality variety with good flesh characteristics and aroma similar
to Fuji. Could be site sensitive. Sensyu is quite important commercial cultivar
in Japan and ranks sixth in the volume of production.
b)
HAC-9 (Ftji x Tsugaru)
Bred by Hokkaido Agricultural Research Centre
Fruit size:
Fruit shape:
Colour:
Flesh:
Brix:
Add:
Storage:
Other:
very large, 350-500g
oblong
red over greenish yellow, difficult to get good colour
yellowish white, dense and juicy
14-15%
0.40 to 0.50g/l 00ml
short term storage
triploid
HAC-9 was bred to suit short growing season in Hokkaido. In Nagano the
variety requires up to ten picks and for that reason may not expand in
commercial plantings.
Apple Variety Developmoits in Japan and South Korea
30
c)
Ohrin (chance seedlingfromFukushima)
Discovered by a grower (Tadanosuke Ootsuki) at Kori Town in 1938.
Fruit size:
Fruit shape:
Colour:
Flesh:
Brix:
Acid:
large 250-300g
oblong
greenish yellow
white, dense and juicy, aromatic
14-16%
0.30-0.40 g/lOOml
Still an important commercial variety in many prefectures especially in Aomori
and Iwate. A high quality cultivar with better flavour and aroma than Golden
Delicious. Its skin finish is not very attractive due to very pronoimced
lenticells.
d)
Kjnsei {Golden Delicious x Ralls Janet)
From private breeding program - released in 1972 by Mr Sato
Fruit size:
Fruit shcpe:
Colour:
Flesh:
Firmness:
Brix:
Acid:
Storage:
large 339g
round
pinkish blush over yellow groimd colour
juicy, coarse, very sweet
6kg
15.3%
0.25g/100ml
good storage and long shelf life
Kinsei is a good quality late Golden Delicious type which performs well in cool
areas.
e)
Akita Gold (Golden Delicious x Ftji)
Released by Akita Research Centre in 1992 (Patent No. 3176)
Fruit size:
Fruit shcpe
Colour:
Flesh:
Brix:
Acid:
Storage:
Disorders:
Season:
f)
large
round, conical
yellow
firm juicy
12.6%
medium 0.30%
long shelf life
core rot
late September
Aldbae (Semyu x Tsugaru)
From a private breeder in Nagano
Season:
Colour:
mid to late September, same season as Tsugaru
attractive full dark red
Aiq)le Variety Developments in Jân and South Korea
S1
Texture:
Tree:
medium, satisfactory for an early cultivar
easy to manage - grower friendly
Akibae has a low incidence of preharvest fruit tree drop. It is a promising early
market cultivar.
g)
IQou "Yellow King" (Ohrin x HatsuaM {Jonathan x Golden Delicious})
Patent pending. Released in 1992 by Iwate Prefecture Research Centre
Fruit size:
Fruit shape:
Colour:
Flesh:
Storage:
Season:
Tree:
relatively small
round
yellow
juicy, crisp, sweet
long shelf life
early September
good vigour and productivity
Kiou is very promising early season yellow type cultivar which is attracting
enormous prices and attention in Iwate prefecture. The distribution of
propagating material is restricted to Iwate and is assigned to one nursery. Due
to limited supply it has been marketed at a wholesale level for ¥6000 ($70)/5kg
pack. It retails around $12/single apple.
h)
Aki "Autumn" (Semyu x Fuji)
Bred by Mr Ishikawa from Hirosaki, Aomori
Colour:
Flesh:
Storage:
Season:
attractive red - develops well without deleafrng
firm, crisp, high sugar (16%)
stores well till May
three weeks before Fuji
A grower friendly apple, does not suffer fix)m fruit cracking which is a problem in
Sensyu and Fuji. Mr Ishikawa has anotha- promising crop from Sensyu x Ohrin.
The main features of this fiwt are yellow colour, large size and sweet flavour.
S2
Appendix I
Itinerary & Contacts
AP504 Apple Varieties Study Tour of Japan and South Korea
19th October 1995 to 10^^ November
1995
Thurs, 19 October 95
Hobart - Melbourne
Fri, 20 October 95
Melbourne - Manila
Sat, 21 October
Manila - Tokyo
Mon, 23 October
Tokyo - Seoul
National Horticultural Institute, Suwon City
Dr Kim Sung-Bong, Director General
Dr Lee, Don-Kyun, Director Fruit Tree Breeding Division
Dr Shin, Yong-Uk, Apple Breeder
Dr Kim, Whee-Chun, Pear Breeder
Dr Hwang Jeong-Hwan, Apple Breeder
Presented a seminar on *'Australian Apple Production".
Tues, 24 October
National Horticultural Institute, Suwon City
Asan Bay fruit growing area
Dr Hwang Jeong-Hwan, Apple Breeder
Wed, 25 October
Chungju apple growing area
Dr Shin, Yong-Uk
Seoul - Tokyo
Thurs, 26 October
Tokyo Fruit Market - Tsukiji
Dr Kiyoaki Komatsu, Japan Fruit Foundation
Naoharu Hamada, General Manager Tokyo Tsukiji Market
Yasuyu Suzuki, Managing Director Tokyo Tsukiji Seiko Co.
Ltd
Fri, 27 October
Tokyo - Nagano
Nagano Fruit Tree Experiment Station
Dr Hiroo Koike, Pomologist
Dr Hiromitsu Komatsu, Apple Breeder
^>ple Variety Developments in Japan and South Korea
53
Sat, 28 October
Nakamura Orchards
Mr Takanobu Nakamura
Commercial orchards, Nagano region
Presented seminar to Kyoto University Students on "Apple
Production in Australia and Tasmania"
Sun, 29 October
Nagano - Numata (Gunma)
Mon, 30 October
Hokubu Branch Research Centre
Dr Mitsuru Horigome, Fruit Breeder
Dr Tadahisa Nakajo, Director (Horticultural Centre)
Dr Yoichi Tachikawa, Director (Hokubu Branch)
Tue, 31 October
Numata (Gunma) - Fukushima
Fukushima Fruit Tree Experiment Station
Dr Sakuma Tadao (Director)
Dr Hiroshi Yamaga, Apple Breeder
Dr Youichi Saito, Pomologist
Wed, 1 November
Commercial orchards
Dr Yu Matsukawa (Director of Pomology Section)
Fukushima Nursery
Atsushi Okada (President of Nursery)
Kazushi Okada (Production Manager)
Fukushima - Morioka
Thurs, 2 November
Morioka Fruit Tree Experimental Station
Dr Jimichi Soejima (Apple Breeder)
Dr Hiroyuki Fukuda (Director)
Commercial Orchards
Fri, 3 November
Morioka - Hirosaki
Met with Hirosaki University Staff - Faculty of Agriculture
Professor Takuro Kikuchi
Dr Osamu Arakawa
Dr Takenori Asada
Dr Yoshie Motomura
JA Co-operative
Akihito Sakamura (General Manager)
54
Sat, 4 November
Hirosaki University Research Station and commercial
orchards
Professor Kikuchi
Dr Osamu Arakawa
Dr Takenori Asada
Dr Yunosuke Shiozaki
Mon, 6 November
Hirosaki Wholesale Market, commercial orchards
Professor Kikuchi
Presented seminar "Apple Production in Australia &
Tasmania" to Hirosaki University, staff & students of the
Ag-Science Faculty.
Tue, 7 November
Hirosaki - Kuroishi
Aomori Apple Experiment Station
Dr Tadashi Kato (Chief Management and Breeding
Division)
Dr Takashi Sato (Apple Breeder)
Dr Tomoyuki Kon (Apple Breeder)
Dr Yoshiaki Osanai (Pomologist)
Wed, 8 November
Fujisaki Test Station and commercial orchards
Dr Tomoyuki Kon
Thurs, 9 November
Kuroishi - Hirosaki - Morioka
Commercial orchards
Dr Junichi Soejima (Apple Breeder)
Fri, 10 November
Morioka Fruit Tree Experiment Station and commercial
orchards
Dr Junichi Soejima (Apple Breeder)
Morioka - Fukushima
(End of Tour)
55
Appendix II
Pictorial Presentation
of some Varieties and Highlights in
Japan and South Korea
56
Modem Hedgerow: Fuji/M26, Central Axis, 4 x 2 m
Chungju, South Korea
Hwahong {Fhji x Sekaichi) - "Beautiful Red"
(Reference Page 8)
57
Slim Red {Ftji x Akagi)
(Reference Page 22)
Aomori 6 (Fuji x Jonathati)
(Reference Page 40)
58
Striped Red Fuji Selection - "Rakuraku'
(Reference Page 49)
Striped Red Fuji Selection - "Nomura''
(Reference Page 49)
59
Striped Red Fuji Selection - Iwa-Fu 10 "Kumagai'
(Reference Page 47)
Striped Red Fuji Selection - "Abe'^
(Reference Page 49)
60
Aomori orchard scene - Early November
Harvesting and orchard sorting of Ohrin
Well coloured, deleafed Fuji in background
Mr Takanobu Nakamura with first pick of Standard Fuji
Late October, Misato Nagano
Apple Variety Developments in Japan and Soutli Korea
61
Perfectly coloured "bagged" Standard Fuji
Hirosaki Market, Aomori Prefecture
Top of the range Fuji, exclusive Ginza District, Tokyo
Singe Fuji apple retails at $9.00
(Back: Designer apples $100 per box of six)
62
MORIOKA BRANCH FRUIT TREE RESEARCH STATION
Highlights of Apple Breeding Program 1962-1990
(Reference Page 31)
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63

AP504 Apple variety study tour of Japan and South Korea

Transcription

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