Seven-year orchard performance of eleven new apple cultivars from Holovousy in comparison with some commonly grown ones

In an orchard trial that was established in the spring of 1999 on M 9 rootstock at the spacing of 4 × 1 m, eleven new apple cultivars bred in Holovousy (Angold, Julia, Nabella, Primadela, Produkta, Resista, Rubinstep, Rucla, Selena, Vysočina and Zuzana) were evaluated in comparison with three standard varieties (Gala, Golden Delicious and Jonagold) and another two with resistance to scab (Rosana and Topaz). In the first three years, the incidence of scab and mildew was evaluated under limited chemical protection. In 2000–2005 on each of 10 randomly selected trees of each cultivar, the time of flowering and optimum harvest ripening were recorded, flower set and fruit sets were rated, yield per tree and weight of 10 fruit samples were measured. Trunk diameter was measured between 2002 and 2005. The early summer apple Julia had the healthiest state and it was recommended for organic growing. Selena was the most precocious, the least vigorous and had the highest crop efficiency. The highest annual yields per tree were recorded with Produkta, but this cultivar had the highest proportion of trees with biennial bearing. Primadela achieved the highest cumulative yields, whereas Angold brought the largest fruits on average. With the obtained results, the evaluated cultivars were characterised by some important features or recommendations for growers.