Apple Freshness

Immune to scab (gene Vf) variety from the All-Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Selection, with late-winter ripening fruit. Developed through hybridization in 1976 [Antonovka krasnobochka x PR12T67 (Welsi x F2 M. floribunda)]. First fruiting observed in 1985; seedling selected for elite status in 1994. Breeders: E. N. Sedov, Z. M. Serova, and V. V. Zhdanov.

Included in the State Testing Program in the Central-Chernozem and Central regions of Russia in 1995. Registered in the State Register since 2001. Suitable for cultivation in intensive orchards.

Medium-sized trees, winter-hardy, fast-growing. Round, moderately dense canopy. Main branches diverge from the trunk at acute angles, curved, compactly arranged, with tips pointing upward. Bark on trunk and main branches smooth, brown.

Medium-thick, curved, round-sectioned, brown shoots, with pubescence on upper parts. Numerous, medium-sized, well-visible stipules. Buds pressed, conical, smooth. Leaves large, broad, broadly oval, with spirally twisted tips, dark green, wrinkled, shiny, with coarse venation. Leaf blade concave, curved downward, weakly pubescent. Leaf margin finely toothed. Petiole long, medium thickness, weakly pubescent. Flower buds smooth, medium size, elongated.

Inflorescences shield-shaped, with 4–6 flowers per inflorescence; buds pinkish-white; flower bowl-shaped, medium size; petals pink, rounded, not closed. Stigmas at the level or slightly below the anthers. Pedicel medium. Fused stigma hairy.

Fruit medium to above-medium size, medium uniformity, flattened, barrel-shaped, broad-ribbed, well-formed. Skin smooth, oily, shiny. Main color at harvest greenish-yellow. Cover color on most of the fruit surface as red streaks and stripes. Few lenticels, green, weakly visible. Pedicel medium length and thickness, straight, slightly twisted. Calyx deep, acute-conical, medium width, without rust. Receptacle closed. Calyx cup deep, wide, ribbed. Fruit core large, onion-shaped. Seed chambers closed, medium size. Sub-receptacle tube long, sac-like. Seeds large, narrow, conical, dark brown.

Fruit flesh greenish, firm, juicy, finely textured, good taste, with mild aroma. Fruit attractiveness rated 4.3 points, taste 4.2 points, compared to Antonovka obyknovennaya (control variety) rated 4.1 and 4.0 respectively. Chemical composition: total sugars — 9.2%, titratable acids — 0.77%, ascorbic acid — 12.4 mg/100g, P-active substances — 436 mg/100g, pectin substances — 17.8%.

Harvest maturity occurs at the end of September; consumer period extends from November to late May.

Variety is relatively early-bearing. First fruits on trees planted 3-3-72 appeared in the fifth year. Rootstock tree fruited in the ninth year. Average yield over the last four years was 187 centners/ha, compared to 61 centners/ha for the control variety.

Advantages of the variety: immunity to scab on fruits and leaves, high yield, late-winter fruit ripening, high fruit quality.

Disadvantages of the variety: only medium fruit taste quality.