Apple tree named ‘Alpigala’

Abstract

Alpigala is a whole tree mutation of Gala, the fruit of which is notable for its early coloring, very dark overcolor, and strongly defined stripes.

Claims

1. A new and distinct apple tree as described and illustrated herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) FIG. 1. shows an Alpigala tree;

(2) FIG. 2 shows shoots and buds on an Alpigala tree;

(3) FIG. 3 shows blossoms and leaves on an Alpigala tree;

(4) FIG. 4 shows leaves of Alpigala; and

(5) FIG. 5 shows fruit of Alpigala.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

(6) The following-detailed botanical description is based on observations made during 2015 and 2016 at Seiches sur le Loir, France of 3 and 4 year old trees grown on Pajam 2 Cepiland rootstock (not patented). All colors are described according to The Royal Horticultural Society Mini Colour Chart. It should be understood that the characteristics described will vary somewhat depending upon cultural practices and climatic conditions, and will vary with location and season. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average of measurements taken from a number of individual plants of the new variety. The measurements of any individual plant or any group of plants of the new variety may vary from the stated average. Tree: Vigor.Medium. Type.Ramified. Habit.Spreading. Height.2.20 m. Trunk diameter (at 30 cm above the graft).Medium (average 40 mm). Bark texture.Smooth. Bark coloration.Grey N200C. Branch (fruiting branches located at around 1 m above the graft union): Length.Long, average 1.20 m. Diameter.Large, average 20 cm. Crotch angle.70 to 90. Bark color.Grey N200C. Lenticel length.1 mm. Lenticel shape.Round. Lenticel color.Light yellow 8C. Number of lenticels per cm.sup.2.7 per cm.sup.2. One year old shoot: Length.Short to medium, average 20 cm. Color.Brown N199C. Pubescence.Medium. Thickness.Thin, average 3.5 mm. Internode length.Medium, average 18 mm. Pubescence.Medium. Lenticel diameter.1 mm. Lenticel height.0.5 mm. Lenticel shape.Round. Lenticel color.Light yellow 4D. Number of lenticels per cm.sup.2.7 per cm.sup.2. Flower buds: Quantity per spur.1 to 3. Shape.Round to conical. Length.Small to medium, average 11 mm. Diameter.Small to medium, average 12 mm. Color.Red purple N57A. Flowers: Diameter of fully open flower.Small to medium, average 29 mm. Flower depth.18.6 mm. Relative position of petal margin.Overlapping. Fragrance.Medium. Number per cluster.5 to 6. Date of first bloom.April 15 in Loire Valley, France. Date of full bloom.April 20 in Loire Valley France. Pollination requirement.Braeburn, Granny Smith, or any other variety flowering at the same time. Petals: Number per flower.5. Shape.Ovoid. Length.Medium, average 17 mm. Width.Medium, average 13 mm. Apex.Round. Base.Conical-pointed. Margin.Smooth. Color of upper surface.White N155C. Color of lower surface.White N155B. Pistils: Quantity.5. Length.Medium, average 13 mm. Color.Yellow green N144C. Stigma: Diameter.Small to medium, average 0.6 mm. Color.Yellow green 150B. Style: Size.Long, average 11 mm. Color.Yellow green 145A. Ovary: Diameter.Medium, average 2 mm. Color.Green 140A. Anthers: Quantity.Numerous, average 13 per flower. Length.Medium, average 2 mm. Presence of pollen.Present, abundant. Color of pollen.Yellow 3C. Pedicel: Length.Medium to long, average 22 mm. Diameter.Quite thin, 1.5 mm. Color.Green 143B. Sepals: Quantity.5 per flower. Length.9.3 mm. Width.3.8 mm. Apex.Pointed. Color.Upper surface Yellow-green 145A. Color.Lower surface Light green 138D. Shape.Conical pointed. Margin.Smooth, pubescent. Leaves: Shape.Elliptic. Length.Medium, average 88 mm. Width.Narrow, average 43 mm. Length/width ratio.Medium to large (2.05). Blade margin.Serrate. Apex.Acuminate. Base shape.Oblique. Color of upper surface.Dark green 137A (late summer). Color of lower surface.Green 137C (late summer). Attitude in relation to shoot.Outwards to downwards. Petiole: Length.Long, average 35 mm. Diameter.Thin, average 1.5 mm. Coloration.Green 137C. Fruit: Quantity per cluster.2 to 4. Diameter.73 mm. Height.63 mm. Weight.164 g. Ratio of height to width.Medium, 0.86. General shape in profile.Conical. Position of maximum diameter.Middle. Ribbing.Moderate. Crowning at calyx end.Moderate. Length of eye.5 mm. Width of eye.5 mm. Depth of eye.6 mm. Aperture of eye.Closed. Length of sepal.Long. Bloom of skin.Weak. Greasiness of skin.Weak. Amount of over color.Very high. Over color of skin.Dark purple brown N77A. Background color.Light yellow 15D. Intensity of over color.Very intense. Pattern of over color.Solid flush with strongly defined stripes. Amount of russet around stalk cavity.Small. Amount of russet on cheeks.Very weak. Area of russet around eye basin.Absent. Length of stalk.Medium, 26 mm. Thickness of stalk.Medium, 2 mm. Depth of stalk cavity.Medium, 15 mm. Width of stalk cavity.Narrow, 27 mm. Depth of eye basin.Shallow, 12 mm. Width of eye basin.Medium, 24 mm. Firmness of flesh.Medium to firm, 7.1 kg/cm.sup.2. Flesh texture.Medium to fine. Aroma.Moderately aromatic, slightly sweet. Juiciness.Medium to high. Brix.11 Brix. Flesh color.Light yellow 4D. Stem coloration.Dark purple red 187A. Fruit locules: Quantity per fruit.5. Length.12 mm. Width.6 mm. Seeds: Quantity per fruit.5 on average. Length.9 mm. Width.5 mm. Shape.Truncate ovoid. Coloration.Dark purple red 53A. Harvest: Time for harvest.Early, last week of August (similar to Galaxy). Number of picks.One to two picks. Fruit load per tree.60 fruits (about 10 kg) on third leaf trees in 2016. Disease resistance/susceptibility: None noted. Winter hardiness: Hardy in region tested, USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. Market use: Fresh. Eating quality: Excellent crisp, juicy and sweet. Storageability: About 4 months in cold storage, up to about 7 months in controlled atmosphere storage.