Apple tree named 'MAIA-Z'

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of apple was identified from a population of seedlings derived from a cross of Goldrush and Sweet 16. The new variety, named MAIA-Z is distinct from Goldrush as MAIA-Z ripens late-September, 3 weeks before Goldrush. Unlike Goldrush, MAIA-Z has red skin with yellow ground color. MAIA-Z is distinct from Sweet 16 as MAIA-Z ripens 2 weeks after Sweet 16 and will retain crispness and flavor in normal storage for 20 weeks longer than Sweet 16. The fruit of MAIA-Z adheres to the tree for approximately 6-7 weeks past fruit maturity, while Sweet 16 fruit will abscise from the tree within 2 weeks of maturity. MAIA-Z fruit are large sized, crisp, with pleasant sweet-tart flavor and long storability.

Claims

1. A new, distinct apple tree variety named MAIA-Z, as illustrated and described herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new variety depicted in color as true as is reasonably possible. MAIA-Z photographs were taken in Pataskala, Ohio.

[0007] FIG. 1. Shows that MAIA-Z is distinct from Goldrush and Sweet 16 in harvest and storage windows.

[0008] FIG. 2. Typical fruit of MAIA-Z at harvest time.

[0009] FIG. 3. Typical MAIA-Z trees bearing fruit in September in Ohio.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0010] Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Color Chart (R.H.S.) 2001 Edition. [0011] Parentage: Goldrush female parent and Sweet 16 male parent; controlled cross made by Greg Miller in Pataskala, Ohio in 1999. [0012] Grafted tree on B9 rootstock (reference tree): [0013] Age.12 years. [0014] Size.15 height, 8 spread. [0015] Vigor.Medium. [0016] Form.Round, spreading. [0017] Production.Consistently productive. [0018] Growth type.Spindle tree growth form, productive spurs located throughout tree. [0019] Bearing.Annual. [0020] Trunk: [0021] Reference tree.3.5 cm at 15 cm height. [0022] Bark color.Greyed-Brown N199C. [0023] Lenticels.Oblong, 41.5 mm. [0024] Lenticel color.Greyed-Brown N199D. [0025] Lenticel density.5 lenticels/cm.sup.2. [0026] Branches: [0027] 3 year old.10-14 mm in diameter, branch angle 70-80; Greyed-Brown N199C. [0028] 2 year old.8-10 mm in diameter, branch angle 60; Grey-Brown N199B. [0029] 1 year old.5-6 mm in diameter, branch angle 60; Brown Group 200B. [0030] Leaves: [0031] Size.Length 92-103 mm; width 32-55 mm. [0032] Texture.Leathery, crisp. [0033] Form.Oblong. [0034] Base.Roundly cuneate. [0035] Apex.Acute. [0036] Adaxial surface pubescence.None. [0037] Abaxial pubescence.Fuzzy. [0038] Adaxial surface color.Yellow-Green 146A. [0039] Abaxial surface color.Yellow-Green 146D. [0040] Veination.Pinnate, 10-12 major veins, mainly alternate; Yellow-Green N144D. [0041] Margin.Serrate. [0042] Petiole length.30-35 mm. [0043] Petiole width.2-3 mm. [0044] Petiole abaxial color.Yellow-Green N144D to Greyed-Purple 185B toward base and abscission layer on larger leaves. [0045] Petiole groove.Almost absent. [0046] Stipules.Present but few, very fine like hairs; Greyed-Purple 185B. [0047] Leaf glands.None observed. [0048] Leaf buds: [0049] Length.3 mm. [0050] Width.2-3 mm. [0051] Color.Yellow-Green 149B with Greyed-Purple 187B overtones. [0052] Placement on branch.Alternate. [0053] Internode distance.30-35 mm. [0054] Spurs: Present on 2 yr and older wood. [0055] Length.Varies from 15 to 230 mm. [0056] Relative proportion of spurs of each length.200-230 mm=2. 100-199 mm=1. 50-99 mm=2. 15-49 mm=7. [0057] Width.5-8 mm. [0058] Flowers at popcorn stage: [0059] Pedicel.Length 3-15 mm; width 1.5-2.5 mm. [0060] Pedicel color.Greyed-Green 191B. [0061] Bud.Length 8 mm; width 10 mm. [0062] Bud color.Purple Group N77B. [0063] Flowers at full bloom: [0064] Bloom time.Blooms with Golden Delicious; bloom time varies with temperature, but is typically during the 4.sup.th week of April in northeast Ohio. [0065] Bloom period.Approximately 7 days. [0066] Presentation.Showy. [0067] Fragrance.Aromatic. [0068] Fertility.Fertile. [0069] Number of flowers per cluster.4-6 with 5 typical. [0070] Petals: [0071] Arrangement.Bases not overlapping; 5 petals per flower; each petal 17-20 mm length, 10-12 mm width. [0072] Color.Upper surface (inside) White Group NN155C; Lower surface (outside) slightly colored, White NN155C with shades of Red-Purple 64B. [0073] Shape.Broadly ovate, abruptly cuneate at junction with receptacle. [0074] Veins.Non-distinct. [0075] Margins.Smooth with occasional notching at apex. [0076] Texture.Soft. [0077] Receptacle.Length 4 mm; width 3-4 mm; color Greyed-Green 191B. [0078] Pedicel.Length 11-15 mm; width 4 mm; color Greyed-Green 191B. [0079] Sepals.5/flower; wedge-shaped, sharply pointed; length 5-7 mm; width 4 mm at widest point; adaxial and abaxial color Greyed-Green 191C with Greyed-Purple N186D. [0080] Stamens.12-14 in number. [0081] Anthers.Length 1.5-2 mm; width 0.5-1 mm; color Yellow Group 2D. [0082] Petal apex.Predominantly rounded with some fluting. [0083] Pollen.Present and abundant; color Yellow Group 10C. [0084] Filaments.Length 5-7 mm; width 0.5 mm; color Greyed-Green 157A. [0085] Pistil.Held equal to the anthers in majority of blossoms. [0086] Ovary.Length 3-4 mm; width 2 mm; color Green Group 143A. [0087] Style.Length 8-9 mm; styles are pubescent and fused at base; width 0.5 mm; color Greyed-Green 193D. [0088] Stigma.Width <0.5 mm; held above the anther in the majority of blossoms; color Greyed-Green 197C. [0089] Pollination requirements: Requires cross-pollination from diploid varieties with overlapping bloom; will pollinate diploid varieties of overlapping bloom. [0090] Fruit: [0091] Maturity when described.2 month storage. [0092] Date of picking.Oct. 10, 2016. [0093] Size.Axial diameter 72-91 mm; Transverse diameter shortest point 43-50 mm; Transverse diameter longest point 59-79 mm. [0094] Fruit weight.195-273 g; Average 235 g. [0095] Form.Oblate, conic. [0096] Cavity.Acuminate, deep, russet extends out of cavity. [0097] Basin.Wide, medium depth, wide, corrugated obtuse wavy. [0098] Calyx.Open, medium. [0099] Skin: [0100] Thickness.Medium. [0101] Tendency to crack.Little. [0102] Stripes.Yes, light striping. [0103] Lenticels.Round shape. [0104] Color.Greyed-Orange 171A. [0105] Ground color.Varies between Yellow-Green 151A and Yellow-Orange 18A. [0106] Flesh: [0107] Aroma.Sweet, aromatic. [0108] Color.Yellow-White 158A. [0109] Texture.Crisp, firm, breaking, juicy. [0110] Eating quality.Excellent. [0111] Flavor.Sweet-tart, honeyed citrus. [0112] Core: Medium size. [0113] Bundle area.1184 mm.sup.2-2750 mm.sup.2. [0114] Bundle.Inconspicuous. [0115] Axial carpel length.9-12 mm. [0116] Locule.Closed. [0117] Seed cells.Walls thin, tough. [0118] Seeds: [0119] Number perfect.5-10. [0120] Number in one cell.1-2. [0121] Length.7-10 mm. [0122] Breadth.4-7 mm. [0123] Color.Greyed-Orange 177A, often covered with white parenchymous tissue. [0124] Stem: [0125] Length.15-35 mm. [0126] Average length.19 mm. [0127] Width.2-3 mm. [0128] Color.Greyed-Green 195A. [0129] Use: Fresh market, dessert. [0130] Shipping quality: Good. [0131] Keeping quality: Good. [0132] Drought tolerance: Average for domestic apple. [0133] Tree winter hardiness: Average for domestic apple. [0134] Disease: [0135] Resistance.Resistant to fireblight (Erwinia amylovora) and apple scab (Venturia inaequalis). [0136] Susceptibility.Susceptible to powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha) and other fungal diseases. [0137] Yield: Approximately 2.5 bushel/tree at 300 trees/acre yields 750 bushels/acre annually.