SJP84-5231

Apple

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Malling 26' and 'Malling 9'

Summary: 'SJP84-5231' is an apple rootstock variety with weakly shiny bark, whereas 'Malling 9' has strongly shiny bark. The leaves of 'SJP84-5231' have sparse to medium pubescence on the lower side, whereas 'Malling 26' has dense pubescence and the leaves of 'Malling 9' are glabrous on the lower side. Self rooted trees of 'SJP84-5231' produce very small fruit, compared to those of 'Malling 26' which are medium in size. The fruit of 'SJP84-5231' have more prominent lenticels than the fruit of either reference variety. 'SJP84-5231' fruit have a raised eye, whereas 'Malling 26' fruit have a medium to deep eye basin. In cross-section the fruit of 'SJP84-5231' have a very weak core line, whereas 'Malling 26' has a moderate to strongly distinct core line.

Description:

TREE: very low suckering tendency, poor root anchorage, very dwarfing

BASAL SHOOTS IN STOOL BED: medium vigour, many, straight

ONE-YEAR OLD SHOOT: dense pubescence on upper half, weak shine on bark, weak flexibility, medium number of lenticels, lenticels medium to large in size, red to reddish brown colour on sunny side
LATERAL BUD: small, pointed tip, adpressed to axis, small bud support
GROWING TIP: white

SHOOT TIP LEAVES: concave in cross section, sparse pubescence on upper side, yellowish green on lower side
LEAVES: medium green, no lobing, small size, oriented outwards to downwards, acuminate apex, serrate margin, weak glossiness on upper side, sparse to medium pubescence on lower side, weak anthocyanin on veins, no (or very weak) anthocyanin colouration on upper side
STIPULES: small size

FLOWER BUD: medium pink (in full balloon stage)
FLOWERS: single, green pedicel
PETALS: white, broad ovate in shape, overlapping margins

FRUIT: very small, globose shape, weak to medium ribbing, weak crowning at distal end, medium sized eye, eye closed, persistent calyx, short to medium sepals, sepals overlapping at base, no eye basin (raised eye)
FRUIT STALK: thin, long to very long, stalk cavity shallow to medium depth and narrow to medium in width
FRUIT SURFACE: smooth, moderate bloom, green-yellow ground colour, low to medium amount of orange overcolour, overcolour is solid and washed out, low amount of russet around stalk cavity, lenticels medium sized and prominent
FRUIT IN CROSS SECTION: greenish flesh, very weak to weak core line, closed locules

SEED: brown at maturity, normal shape

REACTION TO INSECTS: Resistant to woolly apple aphid (Eriosoma lanigerum Hausmann)
REACTION TO DISEASES: Resistant to scab (Venturia inaequalis (Cooke) Winter)

Origin & Breeding History: 'SJP84-5231' originated from a cross between 'Robusta 5' and 'Malling 27', made in 1975 at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. The selection criteria and evaluation since 1975 for the variety has been on the basis of vigour, winter hardiness, disease resistance, dwarfing effect and the effect on the tree branch structure.

Tests & Trials: Tests and trials for 'SJP84-5231' were conducted at the L'Acadie Research Sub Station of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. The trial included 3 to 4 root stocks of each variety and 4 self rooted trees of each variety. The stoolbed was planted in 2003 and self rooted trees of the varieties were planted in an orchard in 1999 and allowed to develop into fruiting trees. Measurements and observations were recorded in 2005. Measured characteristics were based on 10 measurements.

Comparison tables for 'SJP84-5231' with reference varieties 'Malling 26' and 'Malling 9'

Dormant one-year old shoots: thickness (mm)

Dormant one-year old shoot: length of internode (mm) (at middle third of shoots)

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Apple: 'SJP84-5231'

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Apple: Reference variety 'Malling 9'

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Apple: Reference variety 'Malling 26'