Apple variety Freshness
Freshness is a late winter apple variety bred in 1976 at the All-Russian Research Institute for Breeding Fruit Crops as a result of a complex crossing of Antonovka red barrel with a hybrid form PR12T67 (Welsey x F2 M. Floribunda). This variety is endowed with natural immunity to scab due to the embedded Vf gene. In 1985, the first fruiting was recorded, in 1994 the seedling was allocated to the elite. The authors of the variety are E. N. Sedov, V. V. Zhdanov and Z. M. Serova.
In 1995, the variety was accepted for State testing in the Central and Central Black Earth regions, and since 2001 it has been zoned. This apple tree is suitable for growing in intensive orchards.
Apple Trees Freshness are medium-sized and are characterized by fast growth rates and good frost resistance. The crown is round in shape, medium thickened. The main branches are curved, compactly located, with their ends directed upwards, when they leave the trunk, they form an acute angle. The bark on the trunk and main branches is brown in color, with a smooth surface.
Shoots of medium thickness, geniculate, in cross section - rounded, brown in color, pubescent in the upper part. Lentils are medium in size, well visible, and are common. The kidneys are smooth, appressed, conical in shape. The leaves are large, wide, broadly ovate, dark green in color, slightly pubescent, with small-edged edges and a helical twisted top. The surface of the leaf blade is concave, curved downward, wrinkled, with a glossy sheen and deep venation. The petioles are long, medium in thickness, with low hairiness. The flower buds are of medium size, smooth, elongated.
Inflorescences of corymbose type, dense structure, include 4 - 6 flowers. The buds are white and pink. The flowers are of medium size, saucer-shaped, pink in color; petals are rounded, unclosed. The stigmas are located at the same level with the anthers or slightly higher. Pedicels are of medium length. The accrete columns of pistils are pubescent.
Apple fruits Freshness of medium size and larger: one fruit weighs on average 130 - 140 g, the largest specimens, as a rule, do not exceed 200 g. In shape, the apples are barrel-shaped (in general, round, but flattened on the sides), the one-dimensionality of the fruits is average , ribs are wide. The surface of the skin is smooth, with a glossy sheen, buttery. During the period of removable ripeness, the main color of the fruit is greenish-yellow, the integumentary color is expressed on a significant part of the apple in the form of stripes and stripes of bright red color. The subcutaneous points are greenish, subtle and few in number. The stalks are medium in thickness and length, straight, set at an angle. The funnel is of medium width, rather deep, sharp-conical in shape, without rusting. Closed cup. The saucer is large in width and depth, grooved in shape. The heart is large, bulbous. The seed chambers are medium in size, of a closed type. The sub-calyx tube is rather long, saccular in shape. Seeds are large, dark brown in color, narrow, conical in shape.
The pulp is greenish, fine-grained, dense structure, easily splitting on impact, very juicy, with a weak aroma. The apples taste good, sweet and sour. On a 5-point tasting scale, the assessment of the external attractiveness of the fruit is 4.3 points, the taste assessment is 4.2 points. For comparison: the apples of the control variety Antonovka Obytochnaya got 4.1 points for their attractiveness and 4.0 points for their taste. In terms of chemical composition, apple fruits contain Freshness: the sum of sugars (9.2%), titratable acids (0.77%), ascorbic acid (12.4 mg / 100 g), pectin substances (17.8%), P- active substances (436 mg / 100 g).Apples are great for preservation and processing (juices, jam, jams
The period of removable ripeness of fruits falls at the end of September. The consumer period is quite long, starting in November and ending at the end of May.
The early maturity of the variety is quite good. Trees with an insert of 3-3-72 fruited for the first time in the 5th year. Own-rooted apple trees gave their first fruits in the 9th year. The average yield of an apple tree over the past 4 years was 187 c / ha (for comparison: the yield of the control variety was 61 c / ha).
The main advantages of the apple tree Freshness are: immunity to all five races of scab of fruits and leaves, high yield, late winter ripening of apples, high marketability of fruits and the possibility of their long-term storage (until the end of spring).
The main disadvantage is the fact that it is only a table variety, not a dessert one (due to the average taste of apples).
