APPLE TREE NAMED MAIA-L

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of apple was identified from a population of seedlings derived from an open-pollinated Honeycrisp block. The new variety, named MAIA-L ripens late-October. MAIA-L is a fast-growing, vigorous tree with large leaves. The fruit of MAIA-L is a distinctive deep red color. MAIA-L has consistent annual cropping with minimal horticultural inputs and is resistant to fireblight, apple scab, and powdery mildew. MAIA-L fruit are large sized, extremely crisp, with complex sweet-tart flavor and long storability.

Claims

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

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

[0007] FIG. 1. A chart showing that MAIA-L is distinct from Honeycrisp in harvest and storage windows.

[0008] FIG. 2. An image of typical fruit of MAIA-L at harvest time and sliced fruit.

[0009] FIG. 3. An image of typical five-year-old MAIA-L trees bearing fruit in October in Ohio.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0010] Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Color Chart (R.H.S.) 2001 Edition. [0011] Parentage: Honeycrisp female parent and unknown male parent; open pollination conditions cultivated by Mitch Lynd at Pataskala, Ohio in 1999. [0012] Grafted tree on B9 rootstock (reference tree).. Age: 12 years. Size: 15 height, 8 spread. Vigor: High. Form: Round, spreading. Production: Very productive. Growth type: Spindle tree growth form, productive spurs located throughout tree. Bearing: Annual. [0013] Trunk.Reference tree diameter: 3 cm at 15 cm height. Bark Color: Greyed-Brown 199A. Lenticels: Oblong. 21 mm. Lenticel Color: Greyed-Orange 165B. Lenticel Density: 5-10 lenticels/cm.sup.2. [0014] Branches.3 year old: 10-13 mm in diameter, branch angle 80; Greyed-Brown 199A. 2 year old: 6-8 mm in diameter, branch angle 90; Grey-Brown N199B. 1 year old: 5-6 mm in diameter, branch angle 80; Grey-Orange 166A. [0015] Leaves.Size: Length 75-117 mm; width 44-65 mm. Texture: Leathery, crisp. Form: Ovate. Base: Roundly cuneate. Apex: Acute. Adaxial Surface Pubescence: None. Abaxial Pubescence: Finely pubescent. Adaxial Surface Color: Green Group N137B. Abaxial Surface Color: Yellow-Green 146B. Veination: Pinnate, 6-9 major veins, mainly alternate; Yellow-Green 148D. Margin: Serrate. Petiole Length: 24-40 mm. Petiole Width: 2-3 mm. Petiole Abaxial Color: Yellow-Green 148D to Greyed-Purple 185B toward base and abscission layer on larger leaves. Petiole Groove: Very shallow, depth 0.1 mm. Stipules: Present; 5 mm length; 1 mm width; Green Group N137B. Leaf Glands: None observed. [0016] Leaf buds.Length: 3-4 mm. Width: 3-4 mm. Color: Yellow-Green 149B with Greyed-Orange 166A overtones. Placement on Branch: Alternate. Internode distance: 30-35 mm. [0017] Spurs.Present on 2 yr and older wood. Length: varies from 10 to 300 mm. Relative proportion of spurs of each length: 200-300 mm=4. 100-299 mm=4. 50-99 mm=3. 10-49 mm=6. Width: 5-8 mm. [0018] Flowers at popcorn stage.Pedicel: Length 12-16 mm; width 2-2.5 mm. Pedicel Color: Greyed-Green 195A. Bud: Length 9 mm; width 6-7 mm. Bud Color: Red-Purple 58A. [0019] Flowers at full bloom.Bloom Time: Blooms with Golden Delicious. Bloom Period: Approximately 7 days. Presentation: Very Showy. Fragrance: Aromatic. Fertility: Fertile. Number of Flowers per Cluster: 4-6 with 5 typical. [0020] Petals.Arrangement: Bases not overlapping; 5 petals per flower; each petal 17-20 mm length, 14-16 mm width. Color: Upper surface (inside) White Group NN155C; Lower surface (outside) slightly colored. White Group N155B with Red-Purple 61A. Shape: Broadly ovate, abruptly cuneate at junction with receptacle. Veins: Distinct. Margins: Smooth edge with notching of the way up the petal. Texture: Soft. Receptacle: Length 5 mm; width 3 mm; color Greyed-Purple 185C. Pedicel: Length 10-15 mm; width 2-2.5 mm; color Greyed-Green 195A. Sepals: 5/flower; wedge-shaped, sharply pointed; length 5-6 mm; width 3 mm at widest point; color Greyed-Green 195A. Stamens: 16-20 in number. Anthers: Length 2 mm; width 1.5 mm; color Yellow Group 8B. Pollen: Present, color Yellow Group 10C. Filaments: Length 7-8 mm; width 0.5 mm; color Green-White 157C. Stigma: Held above the anthers in majority of blossoms. Ovary: Length 3 mm; width 3 mm; color Yellow-Green 144A. Style: Length 10 mm; styles are fused in bottom 3 mm. only; width 0.5 mm; color Yellow-Green 145B. Stigma: Width 0.5 mm; color Yellow-Green 145B. Pollination Requirements: Requires cross-Pollination from diploid varieties with overlapping bloom; will pollinate diploid varieties of overlapping bloom. [0021] Fruit.Maturity when described: 2 month storage. Date of picking: Oct. 20, 2016. Size: Axial diameter 72-85 mm; Transverse diameter shortest point 37-54 mm; Transverse diameter longest point 65-80 mm. Fruit Weight: 178-299 g; average 232 g. Form: Conical, regular, symmetrical. Cavity: Acute, medium deep, russet extends out of cavity. Basin: Medium depth, narrow, symmetrical, regular, smooth. A small amount of russet is present around the fruit basin. Calyx: Closed, small. [0022] Skin.Thickness: Thick. Tendency to crack: None. Stripes: Light striping, medium stripe width. Lenticels: Bound shape. Color: Red Group 46B to Red Group 47C. The overcolor is dark and intense, covering a very large area of the fruit grown in full-sun. Ground Color: Yellow Group 2C. [0023] Flesh.Aroma: Sweet, very aromatic. Color: Yellow-White 158A. Texture: Crisp, firm, breaking, juicy. Eating Quality: Excellent. Flavor: Sweet-tart, complex, floral. [0024] Core.Medium size. Bundle area: 1225 mm.sup.2-2025 mm.sup.2. Bundle: Inconspicuous. Axial Carpel Length: 7-10 mm. Seed cells: Walls thin, tough. [0025] Seeds.Number perfect: 4-15. Number in one cell: 1-3. Length: 8-9 mm. Breadth: 4-5 mm. Color: Greyed-Orange 177B. [0026] Stem.Length: 15-23 mm. Width: 3-4 mm. Color: Greyed-Green 193B. [0027] Use.Fresh market, dessert. [0028] Shipping quality.Good. [0029] Keeping quality.Good. [0030] Drought tolerance.Average for domestic apple. [0031] Tree winter hardiness.Average for domestic apple. [0032] Disease.. [0033] Resistance: Resistant to fireblight (Erwinia amylovora), apple scab (Venturia inaequalis), and powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha). Susceptibility: Presumably susceptible to other fungal diseases common to Malus domestica.