Apple Tree Named 'STARAPPLE1'

Abstract

Starapple1 is new apple tree variety that in combination can be distinguished from other apple varieties by its percentage and intensity of red over-color; intense flavor with high sugar:acid ratio and balanced eating quality; red bleeding into the flesh at harvest; and scab resistance.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of apple tree having the characteristics substantially as described and illustrated herein.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

[0011] The accompanying photographs illustrate the appearance of the new apple tree in production, fruit and internal quality of the fruit. The color of the photographs might vary slightly compared to the variety description, however the botanical description are the most accurately description of the true color of this new variety.

[0012] FIG. 1. Photograph showing a tree of this new variety, typically in production in an orchard.

[0013] FIG. 2. Photograph of a fully developed fruit, close-up, on a tree grown in an orchard, showing the color development and shape of this new variety.

[0014] FIG. 3. Photograph of a central axis cut of fruit showing the white-cream flesh color with contrasting bleeding into the flesh close to the skin.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0015] The photographs and botanical description are taken from trees grown at the Suikerbosrand Farm situated in the Koue-Bokkeveld near Ceres in the Western Cape, South Africa. The farm is situated in a main apple growing area and general commercial orchard practises is applied to the trees. The climate is temperate continental with low temperatures during winter and high temperatures during summer. The soil type is sandy rock with a micro-jet irrigation system. The photographs and description are believed to apply to plants of the variety grown elsewhere under similar soil and climate conditions.

[0016] The detailed botanical description is taken from over two fruiting season of trees budded on a standard apple rootstock. The data were collected and is reported according to official UPOV Variety Description requirements. The trees were five years old when the first observations were made. Measurements and numerical values represents averages for typical plants and plant parts. The actual measurements of any individual plant of plant parts, or any group of plants of plant parts, may vary from the stated average. [0017] Plant description: [0018] Plant and growth habit.Spreading, with strong growth habit. Bearing on both spurs and long shoots (2). [0019] Tree type.Ramified (2). [0020] One-year-old shoot.Shoot thickness: Medium (5). Length of internodes: Long (7). Color on sunny side: Dark Brown (5). Pubescence: Present, medium (5). Number of lenticels: Present, medium (5). [0021] Leaf description.Leaf attitude: Outwards in relation to shoot (2). Length: Medium length (5). Width: Narrow width (3). Length width ratio: Large (7). Color: Medium green color intensity (5). Incision of margin: Biserrate (5). Pubescence: Present, Medium on the lower side (5). [0022] Petiole extent of anthocyanin coloration from the base.Small-medium (4). [0023] Petiole length.Medium (5). [0024] Flower description: [0025] Flower type and flowering habit.Small flower with medium pink color when unopened. [0026] Natural flowering season beginning of flowering.Medium (5). [0027] Petals.Intermediate arrangement of petals (2). [0028] Fruit description: [0029] Ripening time.Typically early (3). End February, in SA, after Gala. [0030] Yield.Moderate. [0031] Use.Fresh. [0032] Length/height.Long (7). [0033] Diameter.Medium-Large (6). 172 mm. [0034] Fruit weight.170 g, Medium (5). Ovoid shape (3). [0035] Depth of eye basin.Medium. [0036] Width of eye basin.Narrow. [0037] Fruit stalk diameter.Medium (5). [0038] Fruit stalk color.Green, with medium length (5), medium thickness (5) and deep stalk cavity (7). [0039] Fruit skin color.Yellow ground color (3). Large relative over color (7). Red Hue (3). Medium intensity (5). Solid flush with weak stripes (2) and medium width of stripes (5). Absent or small area of fruit russet around stalk attachment, on cheeks or around eye basin (1). [0040] Lenticels.Not prominent. Medium number (5). Medium size of lenticels (5). [0041] Flesh texture.Crisp, firm. [0042] Flesh color.Cream pinkish (2-5). [0043] Locules.Fully open in cross section aperture (3). [0044] Seeds.Ranging from 2 to 8 per fruit depending on environmental conditions. 8 mm length, 4 mm width. Brown color.