Suitable pollination combinations of new apple varieties

Abstract

The working group of apple and pear variety and rootstocks testing within the EUFRIN network (European Fruit Research Institutes Network) has been conducting pollination trials annually using a standardized method. Since 2002, the institutes Agroscope (Switzerland), Esteburg Obstbauzentrum Jork (Germany) and Pcfruit (Belgium) have been exchanging their results with the Laimburg Research Centre (Italy). A comparison of all data makes it possible to define “suitable” and “unsuitable” pollen donors for new apple varieties such as MC 38 Crimson Snow®, Nicoter Kanzi®, Scifresh Jazz® or Scilate Envy®. Pollination success is determined by evaluating the fruit set, while the number of seeds provides information about the quality of pollination. An overlapping blooming period is fundamental for optimal pollination under natural conditions, therefore the respective flowering times are integrated in the pollination chart.