Dr. Andreas Peil of the Institute for Breeding Research on Fruit at the Julius Kühn Institute presented the new green apple variety Pia 41, which he helped develop, at this year's Anuga. "It all started with a cross in 2005, and the seeds were sown a year later and selected, propagated and tested in different environments over several years," Dr. Peil said. "The variety proved to be so good that we applied for and received a plant variety protection for Pia 41. Our goal is to build market and demand nationwide through direct marketing."
Dr. Andreas Peil at Anuga 2023
Most varieties currently on the market are predominantly red. "The redder the apples, the more the trade seems to prefer them, according to my impression. However, this variety has a recognition value due to its unique taste, wonderful texture as well as good shelf life. It is definitely an alternative to the more common varieties."
Furthermore, it also has excellent storability as well as good shelf life. "In the Alte Land, there are so far most growers and direct marketers working with the Pia 41, but also in the Rhineland there are already some growers selling the variety farm-gate. Everyone who has tasted the variety so far has been delighted. It is juicy, crisp and sweet. The texture is just great. Pia 41 is a scab-resistant variety and has inherited, among other things, a resistance gene from the mother variety Honey Crisp. The tree is extremely robust and healthy. Therefore, it is also wonderfully suited for organic cultivation."
For more information:
Dr. Andreas Peil
Julius Kühn-Institut
Institut für Züchtungsforschung an Obst
Pillnitzer Platz 3a
D-01326 Dresden / Pillnitz, Duitsland
Tel.: +49 (0)3946 470
[email protected]
https://www.julius-kuehn.de