In B.C., grower testing will be conducted in the Okanagan Valley. Growers from the north, central and


south regions of the valley will be selected to participate.


At present discussions are underway on whether the optimum approach is to have more growers each testing fewer varieties or fewer growers testing more trees.


“Another important factor, of course, is how many trees we can actually produce for testing,” Ibuki said. The four initial varieties (SPA493, SPA628, SPA 766, SPA 813) selected for testing are now being grown at Bylands Nursery in West Kelowna. In two years, the new varieties will be grown in each test plot along with a couple of standard varieties. “All varieties will be grown on the same root stock (M-9) in the same soil, under the same climactic conditions and using the same horticultural management techniques. This will provide for a very scientific comparison,” Ibuki said.


Results from the test plots will also help to determine the optimum horticultural practices for each variety. In addition to the two years in the nursery, another two will be required before fruiting begins and another two years after that will be needed to collect data on the fruit.


The best varieties will be moved into the production phase, while the less promising ones will be discarded and replaced by new selections. In mid-January of this year, Birzins spoke at the annual meeting of the Ontario Apple Growers Association about the tree fruit development project.


“The reception was very positive,” he said.


Ontario growers will be responsible for implementation of the project in their province.


Tests will be done in five geographic regions of the province.


Two hundred buds each of seven varieties budded in August 2010 have been sent to Van Brenk’s Fruit Farms and Nursery on the Niagara Peninsula. The seven which were selected by Ontario growers include the four varieties being grown in West Kelowna plus SPA440 (Nicola), SPA 365 and


Selected characteristics of test varieties BC and Ontario


SPA493 Cherry red over yellow colour. Slight tart taste. Matures close to Red Delicious.


SPA628


70% red to orange-red stripe and blush.


Similar in size to Gala in BC, may be smaller in Ontario.


Significantly longer storage than Gala.


Consistently good horticulture and sensory performance. Becomes greasy if left on trees too long.


SPA766 Solid red, medium-sized fruit, perhaps smaller in Ontario. Matures in late August. Long storage for August apple. Weak tree vigour, stronger rootstock than M9 may be needed.


SPA813 Large attractive bicolour fruit. Matures late.


Harvest indices being developed, SPA404.


“The Ontario list is longer because some of these varieties do not perform in the B.C. climate or perhaps do not meet the criteria that we are looking for here,” Ibuki said.


In Quebec, an apple-based


starch isn’t reliable maturity indicator.


Ontario


SPA440 (Nicola) Large, bicolour sweet fruit. Can be sensitive to sunburn. Somewhat sensitive to fire blight. Normally picked around Thanksgiving in Summerland. SPA365


40% bicolour. Jonamac offspring, somewhat tart. Medium storage. Multi-pick starting around September 25 in Summerland.


SPA404 Large red fruit. Matures late.


Medium storage in air, possibly longer with MCP or CA. Some years hard to colour in Summerland, probably better in Ontario.


Source: Nick Ibuki, Horticultural Research Technician, PICO


consortium, RECUPOM, is working with the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Centre at


Frelighsburg in the Eastern Townships to test promising new varieties which will be supplied by PICO.


Scientists at PARC are conducting


Buy hail / rain split coverage before it’s too late!


…the ideal time is shortly after bloom


It’s a sound business decision to manage your risk.


For more information, contact your nearest Production Insurance office or call toll free: Kelowna 1-888-332-3352


Oliver 1-888-812-8811 Online: www.al.gov.bc.ca/production_insurance


British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Spring 2011


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