Apple variety Modi

If you are offered a choice of two apples - green and deep red, which one will you choose? Most will give preference to the brightly colored fruit. According to statistics in Europe and Asia, apple varieties with red-colored fruits are in greatest demand, and therefore make up a significant percentage of industrial plantings. This demand set the task for breeders, in addition to imparting winter hardiness and disease resistance to apple trees, to make the fruits visually attractive to the consumer. The solution to the problem turned out to be within the power of Italian scientists who represent the CIV consortium (Consorzio Italiano Vivasiti). Long and exciting work led to the creation in 1982 of a new variety, which was named Modi (MODI, CIVG198). It is dedicated to the famous Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani (in the company his friends called the artist Modi), who in his works often used a rich, intense red color, so reminiscent of the color of the ripe fruits of our hero. Well-known forms were used as parental forms. Gala and Liberty... Our hero has not yet been included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of Russia. In the United States, the variety was introduced in 2014. In a very short time, the colorful Italian conquered not only the USA and Europe, but also South America, India, Australia, New Zealand and, of course, Russia and Ukraine.

MODI® is a whole project that started in 2007. It brought together international apple production and marketing specialists to promote a high quality brand that focuses on consumer health. Scientists from the University of Bolzano have measured the greenhouse gas emissions generated by the cultivation of this species, and have proved that the cultivation process of our hero does not cause significant harm to the environment, and therefore does not harm the ecosystem as a whole. This explains the rapid spread of this apple tree around the world. The popular variety even has its own Twitter page.

Description

The culture is characterized by rapid growth in the first years, the annual growth of shoots is high. But some sources write that the growth of the main branches is only 8 cm per year. The plant is of medium size, the height largely depends on the scion, the crown is wide, conical in shape. The main branches are attached to the trunk almost at right angles, which contributes to a strong connection of the wood, therefore, even during a period of heavy crop load, one can not be afraid of the integrity of the branches. The shoots have a round cross section and are of medium size, the bark is brownish-green, slightly pubescent, the lentils are light, rounded-oval. The foliage is good. The leaves are large enough, dark green, elongated, short-pointed apex, slightly rounded base, serrated-crenate edge serration. The leaf blade of the apple tree is medium-curved, with broad-wavy edges, a shiny surface, not pubescent. The petiole is long, of medium thickness, uncolored. Fruit buds in Modi are laid on two-year growths and at the ends of annuals.

Fruits of this variety are medium and large in size, leveled, average diameter 7 - 8 cm, average weight about 200 grams, maximum weight slightly more than 300 grams. Round-conical shape. The funnel is medium in depth and width, rusty. The saucer is shallow, as a rule, with smooth edges, sometimes wide-ribbed, the cup is closed. The sub-cup tube is wide, shallow, cylindrical, not connected to the seed nest. Seed chambers of a closed type, the seeds in them are located freely. The skin is smooth, glossy, not too thick, firm, slightly oily to the touch. The main color is yellow-green, the integumentary color is very bright, intensely red, during ripeness it in the form of a dark purple blush covers almost the entire surface of the fruit. The subcutaneous dots are light, medium-sized, but contrast well with the integumentary color. The pulp is light creamy, but gardeners often describe it as white.The consistency is dense, crispy, very juicy. The aroma is light, pleasant. The taste is sweet, with a slight sourness. Assessment of taste from 4.7 to 5.0 points. Gardeners note that the taste of apples is quite unusual, very good, better than that of an apple tree Red Delicious, but somewhat inferior Jonagold... But, I repeat, these opinions are subjective, you can only get a complete picture of the taste by trying the fruit yourself.

Characteristics

• The early maturity of the Italian Modi pleases impatient gardeners. The tree begins to bear fruit 2 - 3 years after planting;
• flowering occurs in late spring, in addition, the flowers are resistant to recurrent frosts, so there is no need to fear for their damage;

• in terms of ripening, our hero belongs to winter varieties. Apples ripen at the end of September, 7-10 days earlier than Golden Delicious... The stage of consumer ripeness reaches a little later - in January;
• the originators, although they mention the non-shedding of fruits, but gardeners still recommend harvesting on time, preferably in 2 passes;
• the fruiting of the apple tree is annual, the frequency during the cultivation period was not observed;
• the originators of the variety declare its high productivity, which increases from year to year. Various Internet sources provide information about 150 kg / ha or about 50 kg from one tree;
• trees are prone to crop overload, therefore, if necessary, thinning of the ovary should be carried out;
• The winter hardiness of Modi is average if we take into account the cool regions. For the Moscow region, Krasnodar Territory and Ukraine, this figure is quite sufficient. According to the USDA system adopted by the US Department of Agriculture, the variety belongs to zone 6, which corresponds to -23.3 ° С;
• the plant tolerates dry climate and heat very well. The trees are quite resistant to drought periods;
• immunity is excellent. The high resistance of the culture to fungal diseases is declared. Gardeners confirm this, noting that over the years of cultivation, the apple tree was practically not affected by scab and powdery mildew. There is also resistance to insect pests, including aphids. But at the same time, some sources speak of insufficient rust resistance;
• transportability is excellent. A properly packed crop can withstand long distance transportation;

• keeping quality is excellent. According to the testimony of gardeners, the fruits, even in an ordinary basement, do not lose their visual appeal and taste. You can store the crop until April;
• the way of use is universal. Apples are good in their natural form, as a dessert, they are used in vitamin salads, combined with nuts, honey, fennel, orange, strawberries etc. The fruits tolerate processing very well, therefore they are suitable for making jam, preserves, compote, juice, baking filling. Due to its high juiciness, our hero belongs to the varieties used to make cider.

Pollination

Many sources describe Modi's self-fertility as insufficient. This requires the planting of suitable pollinators, thanks to which not only the yield increases, but also the quality of the fruit becomes much higher. Many gardeners consider the Fuji, Golden Delicious, Gala apple trees to be good pollinators.

Planting and leaving

Depending on the region, you can choose a spring or autumn planting. In principle, agricultural technology does not differ from the usual one. After crown formation, annual thinning pruning is required, removal of dry or diseased branches. At a young age, especially if the planting took place in the spring, watering should be sufficient. In a hot period, it is desirable that the soil is in a moderately moist state, the maximum moisture depth is at least 45 cm.The watering rate per adult tree is 1 bucket of water 2 times a week, in hot weather the moisture rate should be doubled, and the frequency of watering bring up to 3 procedures per week. To keep moisture in the soil as long as possible, they resort to mulching the trunk circle. The good immunity of the apple tree allows you to reduce the number of chemical treatments, but in unfavorable years it is still not worth giving them up.

Modi is a promising variety for regions with warm and temperate climates.Excellent early maturity, productivity, high commercial and consumer quality of fruits make the variety a desirable crop in the garden. Excellent immunity allows you to grow an environmentally friendly crop. Care is simple, the crown is formed easily. During the period when the apples are ripe, the tree looks very decorative, but it is not worth admiring the spectacle for a long time, it is better to hurry up with the harvest. During the growing period, gardeners did not find weaknesses in the apple tree.